10 Spectacular Movies That Helped Redeem 2016

Called a ‘kiwi’ comedy – which is what Australians call New Zealanders according to Flight of the Conchords – Hunt for the Wilderpeople was a genuine pleasure from start to finish, redeeming an otherwise dismal year in cinema. For one thing, the film had pretty much everything – humour, personality and charm – wrapped around an endearing assortment of characters, including a protagonist who singlehandedly carries the entire experience.

The director – Taiki Waititi, the man behind the upcoming Thor: Ragnarok – brings his trademark wittiness and intelligence to the production, and the humour is largely on point. That said, the characters and their endeavours are treated with reverence, the movie avoiding the mistake of descending into pointless wackiness. In this respect, the movie works because it places drama before comedy, somehow managing to balance both aspects regardless.

There aren’t enough good things to say about Hunt for the Wilderpeople. In short, it was the highlight of 2016 – which might not be saying much – but regardless, it’s a genuine triumph.