Writer/director Taika Waititi’s last film was “What We Do in the Shadows,” a zany vampire satire. This one is more grounded in reality, but it still has a few flights of fancy. It centers around a troubled boy in foster care who’s sent to live with a couple in the New Zealand countryside. When tragedy strikes, he and his crusty “uncle” (Sam Neill) set out on an extended adventure in the bush, which causes a massive manhunt. There’s a quirky charm to the characters and a wacky edge to the story that makes is sweetly charming. Add in a fun soundtrack and some lovely scenery for the type of delightfully enjoyable little film that’s hard to come by these days. NOTE: Look for the director in a cameo as the minister. (Criterion Cinemas only)
(4 / 5)