Based on a novel by Barry Crump, the film tells the story of Ricky Baker (Julian Dennison) a rebellious orphan who is adopted by Bella (Rima Te Wiata) and her husband, Hec (Sam Neill). We quickly realize that despite his gangster posing, Ricky is a good kid and after a few days settling into his new home he couldn't be happier. Unfortunately, tragedy strikes and Bella dies, leaving Ricky alone with the taciturn Hec, who Child Services deems unfit to care for Ricky. At the end of the week he'll be taken off to an orphanage to await placement with another foster home.
Ricky refuses to go back, instead trekking out into the bush to live as a mountain man, er, boy, but Hec's not far behind tracking him through the bush to keep the kid from starving to death and bring him back home. While they're gone, the media concocts a story of kidnapping, suggesting Hec dragged Ricky out into the bush rather than relinquishing him to Child Services. Given their new fugitive status the two band together on an epic journey to elude the authorities and live by their wits.
I must say it's great to see Sam Neill front and center in a film again, and he does not disappoint for a moment. Julian Dennison is hilarious as Ricky Baker, an unknown young Kiwi who has a bright future ahead of him, that's for sure. The film is laugh out loud funny while maintaining a heart at its core without veering into the overly sentimental. A must see.
P.S. Taika Waititi is directing Thor: Ragnarok, while I didn't care for the initial Thor standalone film and skipped Thor: The Dark World entirely, with Waititi at the helm I will absolutely give Ragnarok a watch. It's either going to be the best Thor movie ever or the worst.
Check out the trailer below:
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