Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)

The film showcases Taika Waititi’s exuberant sense of humour and flair for inventive absurdity in a comically heightened world. It features strong performances, particularly from the young lead, and inventive absurdity throughout its chaptered structure.

The critic praises the film's rambunctious comedy adventure about an unlikely kinship between a troubled boy and a gruff bushman in the New Zealand wilderness. It highlights the strong performances by Julian Dennison and Sam Neill along with Waititi's deft tonal shifts and direction.

This charming comedy combines endearing characters with generous helpings of deadpan humour as a misfit teen and his grumpy foster uncle form a delightful double act while on the run in the New Zealand wilderness. The film is packed with amusing moments and witty exchanges.

Warmly funny and deeply delightful, this odd-couple adventure blends action, laughs and sentiment into a modest but rich charmer with consistent good humour and sneakily touching moments. Waititi sharpens his deadpan style while populating the story with funny characters.

This charming and offbeat comedy is an absolute pleasure and possibly the best kids’ movie since Up, with a script that borders on genius in places. A few flaws like an irritating cameo do not detract from the overall enjoyment.

The critic finds Waititi's adaptation a charming merger of the literary and cinematic in this storybook adventure about a young Maori orphan on the run. Subversive humour prevents the sentiment from becoming too treacly.

Waititi infuses the survival tale and coming-of-age story with absurdist wit and strong performances, particularly from Sam Neill and Julian Dennison, though the film feels inconsequential and the wilderness tamed. The director is talented but too humble and tentative.

The critic finds the performances gentle and appealing but calls the comedy facile and cloying. It singles out the mechanical plot twists and calculated sentiment, though a final sequence adds some genuine emotion.

Taika Waititi's film offers a charming, heartfelt story of an unlikely bond between a troubled boy and a gruff older man on the run in the bush. It mixes humor and emotion effectively in a crowd-pleasing Sundance entry.

The critic calls the film smart, funny and a pleasure, a hilarious and touching New Zealand odyssey. It singles out Sam Neill's anchoring performance and the irresistible story and young co-star.

A big-hearted picture full of small, understated moments of magic, the New Zealand-based comedy-drama is an off-kilter charmer that focuses on the emotional thrust of a mismatched buddy movie. Waititi downplays broad laughs in favor of an unaffected naturalism in the filmmaking and unpolished characters.

The film is a deliciously good time, a perfectly balanced blend of drama and comedy as a mismatched foster kid and bushman forge an alliance in the New Zealand wilderness. Waititi is fully in command, creating memorable, loveable characters.

The critic praises the film as charming and funny, a drama about an unloved boy who finds acceptance. It highlights the expressive lead performance and the director's clear-eyed take on human nature and movies.

Hunt for the Wilderpeople has been a huge audience favourite at festivals, with its brand of dark New Zealand humour coupled with a boy’s own adventure story that goes off-road and off-grid. The comedy is warmhearted and ultimately moving, with Waititi never losing fondness for his characters amid the insanity.

The critic calls it a pleasing comedy-adventure that pays cheeky homage to early New Zealand classics. It highlights the strong cast including Sam Neill and the film's roots in Barry Crump's novel.

Waititi delivers a hilarious and endearing adventure for all ages, fueled by strong performances and a warm, nostalgic tone that feels like a fuzzy blanket.

The review calls it a delightfully bone-dry comedy celebrating Kiwi libertarianism and outsiders versus the system. It singles out the comedic pairing of Sam Neill and Julian Dennison as the highlight of this charming, endearing film.

The critic describes it as a warm, surprising and thoughtful adventure romp with the feel of a modern-day fairytale that balances comedy and serious moments well. They single out the offbeat dialogue and the chemistry between the leads.

The critic calls it a delightful new childhood classic with wonder, adventure, humor, and optimism. They single out the strong performances from the young lead and Sam Neill for adding emotional weight.

The critic finds it a charming, deftly told and sweet-natured coming-of-age comedy with clever quirks and strong performances, especially from Sam Neill and newcomer Julian Dennison. It notes the well-worn narrative is freshened by style and character.

The film is a lighthearted, charming mismatched buddy story with honest emotions and big laughs from its protagonists, though it feels limited by staying too long in the wilderness.

The critic finds it a pleasant, amicable dramedy with likable characters and humor but notes it lacks innovation and feels conventionally unconventional. They single out the young lead's performance for injecting humor and heart.

The film upends preconceptions with its sincere central relationship between the naive boy and the curmudgeonly man, delivering a disarming storybook fable that mixes whimsy with real pain.