Boy

None of the "characters" are likeable they are rude stupid and unrealistic i only laughed once it is however a decent drama but the script was weak and stupid they really bank on the awfull accent to sell the stupid jokes, is over the top silly and ridiculous dont waste your time watch hunt for the wilderpeople instead

According to Hollywood, childhood is either a magical, shiny age of oblivious joy and discovery, or full of terrible people and generally sh*t. Thankfully, there's Boy, the brainchild of weirdo genius Taika Waititi, here to wallop us with a knuckle sandwich of truth, then share a melting popsicle with us, staring off at a hazy sunset through a black eye. It's a film ruled by a tyrannical bullsh*t radar, seething with raw emotion but flayed of any obnoxious coddling moralizing or contrivance. It knows that the happiest memories are often witnessed through tears, and that the most profound epiphanies usually come waist-deep in mud and manure... then turn out to be 100% wrong. It knows that your idols matter, truly matter, even as you watch them disintegrate before your eyes. It's a film that knows that lying can sometimes be okay when the truth sucks too much. It's a film that knows that childhood means riding a dolphin brandishing a machine gun as much as it means having heart-to-hearts with your goat. It's a film with absolutely nothing to prove about people with altogether too much to prove. It's a film that knows that buried treasure really is buried treasure, even if it's something altogether scummier. It's a film that understands exactly how beautiful and lonely New Zealand is. It's a film that knows that the Incredible Hulk is a hero, but that there's a reason people outgrow their childhood heroes. It's a film that knows that a beatdown is really a dance-off. It's a film that understands colour and music in a way that other films only dream they could. It's a film that knows that children can withstand anything, and I mean anything, but that they shouldn't have to. It's a film that understands just how hard it is to miss someone, especially when they're right in front of you. It's a film that knows that not everyone is going to be all right, but some people will be, and that's all right. It's a film that knows that sometimes you cast that weird kid from the background as your lead, because you just have a good feeling about him, and he turns out to act the pants off all the professionals because he just gets it. It's a film that knows that sometimes you cast the director as the kid's dad, because he's just too adorable and f*cked up not to. It's a film that gets that sometimes you need to switch to cartoons to show the real truth, because live action film is too old-fashioned to believe in telekinesis. And if you told Boy that it just might be one of the most wildly wonderful films of the past who-knows-how-long, it would probably sucker-punch you, then moonwalk away, flipping you off. But then it would crack a secret, fiercely proud smile when it was sure you weren't looking anymore. Promise you'll never tell. Hee-hoo. -10/10

Jojo Rabbit has a lot a of likeable characters. This one: one of the leads is boring, not very bright, treating others terribly. The other is a loser and an a-hole, with almost no redeeming qualities. Four stars for the good acting.

I gave this movie a 5 out of 10 because I found the movie to be more disturbing then beautiful, and I often look for beauty in the world. This movie is about a family that has no mother and a father who is a criminal. The small children take care of themselves. Within the story, there are elements of hope which push the story forward. One main magical moment was when the boy is on the bridge. What happens next is sad, but the end result is a miracle, which ties in with Christmas. So in essence this is a good movie to watch in December (I watched it in Dec. 2013) because of the miracle that happens to boy after he is on the bridge. What I did not like was the dysfunction of the family. It seemed the children were running the household, like in Lord of the Flies. The end was a virtual dystopia. It is pretty sad to think of what may become of the children in this family. Will they be able to break the chain of dysfunction or will it continue, and will they be victims of circumstance?

I realise that most have rated this movie more highly, but personally I found is unsatisfying, somewhat pretentious, and ultimately boring. There were flashes of humour, but I found the story insufficient to sustain a full-length movie, and the the tone of the movie variable. Perhaps it requires a particular view of rural 1980s New Zealand life - and a subculture of that - to appreciate this trifle of a film.

This is not a comedy. The subject matter is somewhat dark; what it's like t grow up with a father who prefers a life of crime to his own children. Are we grading movies from New Zealand on a curve? Almost every internationally distributed movie from New Zealand is the greatest thing since sliced bread. Only it isn't. What I have noticed is that they tend to have a dark streak to them, a sense of menace. Isn't this supposed to be a pretty benevolent place, free health care, a generous social welfare system, etc. The filmmaker spoke at the showing I went to. He was saying that in the eighties, they had ads on New Zealand television telling people not to leave their keys in their cars. I guess they save the darkness for their movies. The events in this movie did not happen to the filmmaker, who said he gets on just fine with his father. This is a professionally produced movie. The acting is very good which is surprising because apparently none of the children were professional actors. The filmmaker played the role of the father, and he was very good. The filmmaker did a good job of portraying neglected children and their broken father. But it tends to get monotonous. Similar things happen over and over. The plot is layers of monotony and darkness. The film changes genres three times. You get the feeling that was more lazy than anything, just throwing anything in there. At first it seems like a comedy, like a lighter, less creepy Wes Anderson and you are delighted. Very shortly it gets dark and monotonous but with touches of comedy. In the end there is a dance scene over the credits. I didn't walk out of this movie but I would possibly not see it again if I knew what it was like. The filmmaker is pretty funny if you get the chance to hear him speak. This movie did not hold the attention of the pre-school children that were there and they were very disruptive. Had they been able to pay attention to it the subject matter would have been too dark for them. Leave the pre-school kids at home. I'm guessing 8 or 10 is the youngest age for this movie.

Boy is a simple but emotionally powerful story about growing up, relationships, following your head over your heart and drawing the line between right and wrong. It's easily one of the best New Zealand films ever made. It's Rich characters and humorous dialogue, entailed by the occasional light-hearted hand drawn animations delivered a hugely entertaining blend of culture, comedy and drama. The story started on a perfect note with Boy played by James Rolleston giving his show and tell speech in the classroom. It introduced the character, his background and set the atmosphere, mood and setting all in one go without being a dull lead up. Taika Waititi (who also plays the dead beat father) did an amazing job in setting out each detailed scene with the occasional Michael Jackson tributes giving the film an even disperse of light-hearted laughs at the same time appropriately moving the plot along. The film gave a heart aching recount on every boy's natural instinct to worship their father, whether they deserve it or not. The growth and resilience of each character portrayed superbly by every single actor from the child stars to the minor adult characters was a pleasure to watch. It still brings a smile to my face today. Pure brilliance... http://musingsandmorsels.weebly.com/film.html

I came across this movie purely by chance whilst following links across the internet & boy am I glad I did! (If you'll excuse the pun). I've never been to NZ but have worked & socialised with plenty of Kiwis over the years & a bit of basic awareness of NZ culture (Long live the Dog!) is certainly an advantage in getting the most out of this film. However, do not despair ye of limited knowledge for there is a veritable cornucopia of every human emotion served up for your delectation that will appeal to all regardless of class, creed, health, wealth or beauty. And when the latest blockbuster rom-com/superhero/zombie/action-or- whatever flick has faded to a bland, slightly recalled, insignificance 'Boy' will still be with you. A line of dialogue, a cheeky face, a child's drawing, something will surface at the most unexpected moment that will induce a warm cosiness, a feeling of everything is going to be OK & a slightly stupid grin will probably slip onto your face. But there's the rub folks, because your chances of seeing it in your local multiplex are non-existent. TV can re-run 40 year old James Bond movies ad infinitum whilst neglecting gems like this & you will probably only be reading this review if you've already seen the film & are checking out previous work by those involved. So in the end we all lose, such a shame as, now more than ever, we need movies like these that rise above our petty daily grievances and give us all a feeling of wanting to belong to a more generous, carefree & happy society.