In theaters June 24th.

From The Orchard: Raised on hip-hop and foster care, defiant city kid Ricky gets a fresh start in the New Zealand countryside. He quickly finds himself at home with his new foster family: the loving Aunt Bella, the cantankerous Uncle Hec, and dog Tupac. When a tragedy strikes that threatens to ship Ricky to another home, both he and Hec go on the run in the bush. As a national manhunt ensues, the newly branded outlaws must face their options: go out in a blaze of glory or overcome their differences and survive as a family.  Equal parts road comedy and rousing adventure story, director Taika Waititi (WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS, upcoming THOR: RAGNORAK) masterfully weaves lively humor with emotionally honest performances by Sam Neill and Julian Dennison.  A hilarious, touching crowd-pleaser, HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE reminds us about the journey that growing up is (at any age) and those who help us along the way.

Official Selection – 2016 Sundance Film Festival

Cast: Julian Dennison, Sam Neill, Rima Te Wiata, Rachel House, Oscar Kightley, Rhys Darby, Stan Walker, Cohen Holloway, Mike Minogue, Troy Kingi, Tioreore Ngatai-Melbourne
Written & Directed By: Taika Waititi
Based On The Book “Wild Pork & Watercress” Written By: Barry Crump
Genre: Adventure Comedy
Runtime: 101 Minutes

This transcript has been lightly edited:

The Referee: Oh, my goodness! We got a “Sneak Peek” comin’ at ‘cha! (laughter)

The Critic: (sings) A “Sneak Peek”!

Ref: Well, well, well. We — yes, the Critic and I — had a chance to see “Hunt for the Wilderpeople.” Yes …

Critic: Yes, it’s not “Wilder People.” It’s “Willder People.”

Ref: Like wilderness, absolutely. And, this is coming from New Zealand. It did well at Sundance, and we’re really excited about it. It’s written and directed by Taika Waititi.

Critic: (accent) Taika Waititi.

Ref: That’s right. He is the director for the upcoming “Thor” movie, as well as some pretty famous New Zealand movies. So, he pretty much knows what he’s doing. Now, this is based on the book, “Wild Pork & Watercress” …

Critic: I love it!

Ref: … by Barry Crump. And, if you haven’t read it, then I’m sure you … I don’t know what you’ll do. (laughter)

Critic: You don’t know what you’re missing.

Ref: It stars Sam Neill — yes, the great Sam Neill — and newcomer Julian Dennison. And, it runs about 101 minutes. So, it’s not, like, forever long, but it’s not exactly short, either. So, yeah!

Critic: Yeah. You know what? Before we get into the story, my overall impression is this: It’s like, if you gave a child’s storybook to a 12- or 13-year-old boy, what that 12- or 13-year-old boy would do to that storybook is this movie. OK? (laughter)

Ref: A modern 12-year-old boy.

Critic: That’s right. … So, do you want to set this up? Or, am I going to do it?

Ref: Listen, I love the way you (weird accent) set it up.

Critic: (echoing accent) Oh, OK. So, here’s what happens, everybody: We’re in New Zealand, OK?

Ref: OK. All right. (laughter)

Critic: And, Ricky Baker — I love that (laughter) — Ricky Baker, he’s an orphan. You know, he’s in the system. And, two older folks decide to take him in. Auntie and Uncle … Uncle is Sam Neill, and he does not want to be called Uncle.

Ref: Uncle Hec.

Critic: Yeah. (laughter) Now, the aunt is a loving woman. She understands him, all of that.

Ref: She was a favorite for me.

Critic: Oh, she was wonderful. And, can I just say that he has a dog named Tupac. OK? So, he loves hip-hop, all of that. And, he just wants to run away. Well, something happens to the aunt, unfortunately. And, he’s left with Sam Neill. (laughter) And, he decides to get out of there again, because, you know, the system is after them. There’s a social worker who’s nuts. I mean that literally.

Ref: “No child left behind” is her motto.

Critic: (laughter) Yes. And, she says, “Look, I’m coming back for you, Ricky. You will not stay with your uncle.” So, this is where we get to the hunt for the wilderpeople, because they both end up in the wilderness, in the forest …

Ref: In the bush.

Critic: … in the bush, running away. And, really, it’s an adventure-comedy. And, they’re exactly right, because this crazy, social-worker woman is trying to get the police involved. All kinds of people, coming after them. I mean, they have exchanges in the forest, where she’s trying to chase him. She tries to bribe him to come back. And, then, at the end, you know, (dropping his voice) something happens.

Ref: Well, you do have to add in the fact that, during these adventures in the bush, they run into various people …

Critic: Yes.

Ref: … various crazy people, who decide to live their lives IN the bushes of New Zealand.

Critic: Right.

Ref: So, you get all sorts of adventures in that way. And, plus, they’re battling the elements as well as one another. So, it’s a really interesting take on the odd-couple roadshow or road movie. And, then, of course, you throw in a whole bunch of sentiment, along with the humor of a 13-year-old, and that’s basically what you get for this movie.

Critic: That’s right. And, New Zealand, oh, it looks so gorgeous. I tell you. I mean, I was thinking about the hobbits …

Ref: The seasons are highlighted in this movie. But, let’s get to it, here.

Critic: Yeah, I was just going to say: I was thinking of the hobbits in the Shire when I was watching it.

Ref: Oh, my. Well, here’s the deal. When you sit down to watch this movie, whether you see it in the theater or whether you see it On Demand or whether you rent it or come across it on Amazon later in life or Netflix, expect this: Expect to be … not changed — this is no Scorsese or J.J. Abrams. It’s certainly no Chris Nolan. … But, it’s just a pastime. That’s the best way I can explain it. It’s a wonderful, little pastime of just delight and warmth and sentiment and silliness.

Critic: Yes.

Ref: But, you can’t, for me, take this movie seriously, because there are some writing issues.

Critic: Yeah.

Ref: There’s, unfortunately, just some directing issues that I had.

Critic: Yeah, there are inconsistencies. Yes. But, it has its moments. I really did like Julian Dennison, playing Ricky. I thought he had the right energy. He was there with Sam Neill. I appreciated how they related to one another. And, you know, some of the nods at other movies: the camera moving in, and, you know, when the girl comes to him on the horse and all that.

Ref: Yeah.

Critic: She whips her hair around. It’s those kinds of moments that I really appreciated. So, I think it’s fun.

Ref: Yeah, it’s definitely a fun movie to relax and just let the ride take you.

Critic: Exactly. And, you know, if you just want something that’s a little different and you’re near a movie theater (laughter), you can go see it. Otherwise, I think it would be a great rental.

Ref: I agree. I, absolutely, agree.