Taika Waititi is topping the box office with Thor: Ragnarok.
But if you haven’t explored his back catalogue, you’re really missing out.
After a troubled production, the secondThorfilm was regarded as one of Marvel Studios lesser movies.
Then, about two years ago, Taika Waititi was announced as director, and suddenly people got excited.
Waititi and Clement later formed The Humourbeasts.
Both were successful across Australasia, and the latter toured across the world.
Eagle Vs Sharkreceived negative comparisons toNapoleon Dynamiteupon release, but it isnt as light as that film.
Waititi really knows how to land the second act downer, straddling the thin division between comedy and tragedy.
Jarrod is still emotionally a teenager at the age of 28, and hes hard to like.
Then you see his family situation and you understand, even sympathise.
It goes from triumphant to painful.
Youre not sure whether to laugh or cry.
This kind of tonal shift or jar is another feature of his work.
In that film there are occasional lurches into horror, and Waititis control of dynamic contrast is excellent.
When violence or pathos arrives it does so with an impact, stark against the lo-fi comedy.
Their relationships are complicated, lies are told, trust is an issue.
These films are of New Zealand, with cultural touchstones that only New Zealanders will understand.
