I've come to enjoy director Taika Waititi's quirky sense of humor in pictures like "Thor: Ragnarok" and especially the humorous vampire flick, "What We Do in the Shadows". That humor is somewhat understated in this picture, but it's still there in the relationship between troubled teen Ricky Baker (Julian Dennison) and his adoptive 'Uncle' Hector (Sam Neill). Following the death of Hec's wife Bella (Rima Te Wiata), the mismatched pair find unexpected adventure in the New Zealand bush after Ricky unsuccessfully attempts to run away as the knowledgeable Hec easily tracks him down, only to wind up breaking an ankle during an attack by an angry boar. That's where the story takes a little too much for granted, as the duo suddenly have enough supplies and equipment on hand to survive a six-week stint in the wild while Hec's ankle heals. While they've gone missing, news coverage of their disappearance takes on all sorts of rumor and innuendo in what looks like what might have been a kidnapping. The story is fueled by the exaggerated account of three misfits that were bested by Hec and Ricky during a chance encounter.
The film breaks itself into ten chapters, though there doesn't seem to be any need for it as the story flows well enough without the distinctions. Repeated mentions of the 'skux life' made me curious enough to look it up, and what it boils down to is a cool, stylish attitude and outlook on life, often used to describe someone who is confident, fashionable, and daring in the way they dress and present themselves. I'm not convinced that Ricky or Hec resembled any of those descriptions, but it sounded cool enough while they were making their way through the bush and later on, trying to outrun an outsized posse of helicopters, military vehicles and police cars. The overkill made the chase seem even more surreal than it already was.
My only reservation with the story was the early passing of 'Aunt' Bella, who provided a real grounding presence for the unruly Ricky. I'm not sure that it was all that necessary for the story to proceed the way it did, as she could have been left behind at home to await the rescue and return of the wastrel pair. While on screen, Bella was the embodiment of patience and warmth for a kid that no one else wanted and who wanted no one else. It would have been nice to see the reuniting of all three.
The film breaks itself into ten chapters, though there doesn't seem to be any need for it as the story flows well enough without the distinctions. Repeated mentions of the 'skux life' made me curious enough to look it up, and what it boils down to is a cool, stylish attitude and outlook on life, often used to describe someone who is confident, fashionable, and daring in the way they dress and present themselves. I'm not convinced that Ricky or Hec resembled any of those descriptions, but it sounded cool enough while they were making their way through the bush and later on, trying to outrun an outsized posse of helicopters, military vehicles and police cars. The overkill made the chase seem even more surreal than it already was.
My only reservation with the story was the early passing of 'Aunt' Bella, who provided a real grounding presence for the unruly Ricky. I'm not sure that it was all that necessary for the story to proceed the way it did, as she could have been left behind at home to await the rescue and return of the wastrel pair. While on screen, Bella was the embodiment of patience and warmth for a kid that no one else wanted and who wanted no one else. It would have been nice to see the reuniting of all three.