One of our best contemporary directors, Taika WaititiHis voice is unique among moviegoers in that he is one of the rare directors who are celebrities in their own right. While starring in his own films will do just that, Waititi is also a smart, witty guy in general, whose scripts teeter on the edge between pure farce and emotional sincerity.
He has made seven films of varying quality in his recent career, and while not all of them have become classics, some of them have already entered the annals of history. Whether it’s a superhero action movie, comedy dramas, or just a wacky slapstick comedy, Waititi has it all.
Eagle vs Shark – 55 on Metacritic
Everyone has to start somewhere, and Eagle vs shark works as Waititi’s modest and low-budget debut. Set in his home country of New Zealand, this quirky romantic comedy is so standard that you can go beyond a couple of interesting twists, mostly because it’s not afraid to dabble in the quirky, counterintuitive humor that has become Waititi’s trademark.
Eagle vs shark compensates for its standard story with such a sense of humour. However, it is a far cry from his later work and has all the makings of an early filmmaker still trying to find his voice.
Thor: Love and Thunder - 57 on Metacritic
Thor: Love and Thunder should have been a slam dunk. Following on from the titular hero’s most popular solo outing as well as some of his most famous roles in Infinity War as well as The finalthere was tremendous pressure on Taika Waititi to perform again, and with him in the writing chair (along with co-writer Jennifer Leitin Robinson) seemed like an easy win for Marvel.
Magic Thor: Ragnarok left and critics seemed to agree as everyone concluded that it failed to live up to its predecessor despite some strong performances and striking visuals.
Jojo Rabbit - 58 on Metacritic
Depending on who you ask jojo rabbit this is either Taika Waititi’s highest achievement as a director, or a complete misfire. And it’s not hard to see why - the subject he touches on here is very sensitive and sensitive, and perhaps his cynical, satirical approach just didn’t pan out for some viewers.
And this is reflected in the critical appraisal, which causes great controversy. Some critics listed it as one of their favorites of the year, with most of the praise going to Waititi’s cast, script, and visual style, while others hated the film for similar reasons. Be that as it may, everyone who knew about Jojo Rabbit had an opinion, especially since he became the leader of the Oscars and eventually brought Waititi his first Oscar.
Boy - 70 at Metacritic
Boy was the movie that really made Waititi famous. A coming-of-age film that cleverly blends comedy and drama. Boy pretty much what Waititi’s core material is to find yourself in a world that feels strange, unusual, and even disgusting at some point, and see how you can make the most of yourself.
While its tried and true themes are not new, critics have seized on its storyline and its characters, as well as Waititi’s offbeat, quirky sense of humor, which was carried over from his work on the film. Flight of the Conchords. It has since become a must-see for Waititi fans and a personal favorite of the director for many.
Thor: Ragnarok — 74 on Metacritic
People seem to sometimes forget how dire the situation was for Thor in the MCU back in phase three. While other heroes like Iron Man and Captain America flourished with audiences, and newer characters like Ant-Man and Doctor Strange became household names, Thor was lost in the crowd after a weak second outing and underused in the Avengers movies. .
And then there’s Taika Waititi, who brings the character to life in a way that hasn’t been seen before or since in the MCU. clinging to Chris Hemswortha shockingly good comedic presence and a wackier, more colorful side of space Marvel, Thor: Ragnarok is still one of the best MCUs and is as fresh as it was in 2017. Critics agreed, and they regularly praised the film across the board.
What We Do in the Shadows - 76 on Metacritic
Although it is now a household name in most families, What are we doing in the shadows has a rather humble beginning. Low-budget comedy from New Zealand with the vibe of Four Guys Did It in a Basement, the ingenious premise includes a fake documentary about four vampire neighbors in Wellington.
This easy-to-sell premise is ripe for comedic potential, but the real treat is how well the mockumentary angle makes you believe these characters are true friends. While critical acclaim has always favored the film, it became a massive cult hit, and an equally popular version of the TV show aired on FX with equal success.
Wild Man Hunt - 81 on Metacritic
There is something really special about Hunting for wild people it’s hard to put into words. While the film plays off all of Waititi’s usual tropes - little child characters coming of age, adult characters that have no direction, bizarre humor and a mix of emotional punches in the gut and slapstick - this is what really isn’t. much of Waititi’s filmography.
And critics seem to think so too. It’s widely regarded as Waititi’s finest work, and it’s the movie that probably really showed what he was capable of before heading to Marvel to take on Thor. This is a wonderful film and one of the best of its year - a true modern classic in every sense of the word.
Source: Collider
