Tag: Taika Waititi

Thor: Love and Thunder

Thor: Love and Thunder

dir. Taika Waititi (2022)

Film poster: “Thor: Love and Thunder” dir. Taika Waititi (2022)

Most of the film is played for laughs. Chris Hemsworth just about gets away with it but the humour is undercut by consciously hammy acting and ‘unkillable god’ computer-game action scenes. Christian Bale rules the starker moments, channelling his inner Richard O’Brien.

Jojo Rabbit

Jojo Rabbit

dir. Taika Waititi (2019)

Waititi_Jojo Rabbit

Director Taika Waititi walks a fine line between flippancy and dark absurdism, concocting from the final days of Nazi Germany a tragicomic yet rather moving story of childhood innocence and fanatical indoctrination. Outrageously over-the-top but kept in check by some nuanced acting.

 

 

Hunt for the Wilderpeople

Hunt for the Wilderpeople

dir. Taika Waititi (2016)

Waititi_Hunt for the Wilderpeople

A distinct, refreshingly understated vein of Kiwi humour runs through this New Zealand coming of age (at all ages) film. Sam Neil and newcomer Julian Dennison excel, playing the withdrawn farmer and troubled foster child who unwittingly set off an international manhunt.

 

What we do in the Shadows

What we do in the Shadows

dir. Jemaine Clement & Taika Waititi (2014)

Clement_Waititi_What we do in the Shadows

Three flat-sharing vampires in modern-day Wellington face upheaval to their already incongruous lives when one of their victims is accidentally turned and joins the group. This New Zealand comedy has its Conchords-esque moments but the mockumentary format feels more limiting than enhancing.