Gaming fans might be shocked to realize that a recent commercial for the Xbox Series X that starred Halo‘s Master Chief as a space DJ cat was actually directed by the Oscar-winning Taika Waititi. It’s hardly the first of the talented writer/director’s works that have caused movie fans and the industry to take notice.
Waititi’s films have ranged from incredibly personal works that highlight his home country of New Zealand to hilarious blockbusters that have relaunched stagnant franchises and made the director a sought after name in Hollywood who will even be helming his own Star Wars film. In preparation, explore some of his other works.
8 Eagle vs. Shark (2007) – 56%
Taika Waititi wrote and directed his debut feature film, 2007’s Eagle vs. Shark which was based on the character of Lily from star Loren Horsley. She’s a shy songwriter with a crush on a local video game store employee.
Waititi teamed with frequent collaborator Jemaine Clement in the other main role, furthering the pair’s ongoing creative relationship from other projects like Flight of the Conchords with fellow New Zealand comedian and musician, Bret McKenzie. The film suffered from unfair comparisons to other alternative comedies like Napolean Dynamite, but has since developed a cult following
7 Jojo Rabbit (2019) – 80%
Viewers were a little surprised by Taika Waititi’s role in 2019’s Jojo Rabbit, which was an adaptation of Caging Skies by Christine Leunens that followed Johannes “Jojo” Betzler (Roman Griffin Davis), a young boy in Nazi Germany who is forced to question his indoctrinated beliefs when he discovers his mother is hiding a Jewish girl in the attic.
Waititi played a darkly comedic Adolf Hitler, a figment of Jojo’s imagination who represented the years of forced Nazi ideals as Jojo struggled with his newly-discovered house guest and their developing friendship. The film was well-received by fans and critics alike, both for its unique blend of dark comedy and important commentary on the hatred that fueled the second World War.
6 Boy (2010) – 87%
While Eagle vs. Shark was Taika Waititi’s directorial debut, he had begun working on the screenplay for 2010’s Boy, which he refined over the next few years before he began filming on the New Zealand-set movie. Boy follows young Māori child, Alamein (James Rolleston), who is also known as “Boy.” Though, he’s quick to tell anyone that he shares his name with his father who suddenly comes back into his life after years away.
Waititi plays Boy’s father as the film explores their relationship following the tragic loss of the family’s mother, leaving the older brother to take care of his younger sibling, Rocky. Boy was praised by both fans and critics for its deeply touching story and well-developed characters, not to mention the always stunning locales of New Zealand.
5 Doctor Strange (2016) – 89%
While Scott Derrickson directed 2016’s Doctor Strange, which introduced the titular Sorcerer Supreme to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, he did write and direct the mid-credit scene that teased the meeting between Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and Benedict Cumberbatch’s Stephen Strange that would occur in Waititi’s own MCU entry.
The uncredited scene served to introduce Doctor Strange into the larger world of the MCU which followed similar traditions in previous Marvel film debuts that either teased a new character or featured a cameo from previously established heroes. This served to further flesh out the shared cinematic universe. Waititi’s scene from Doctor Strange did appear in the following film, though it was expanded and recut.
4 Thor: Ragnarok (2017) – 93%
Taika Waititi joined the pantheon of great directors in the MCU when he signed on for the third entry in the Thor franchise, which had formerly been very Shakespearean dramas that separated themselves from the rest of the MCU’s film slate. 2017’s Thor: Ragnarok took a more comedic approach that was instantly recognizable to fans of Waititi’s earlier films. He even joined the film as a cast member to personally voice the character, Korg. This choice helped bring the character to a brand new audience which helped revitalize the franchise, alongside the inclusion of the fan-favorite Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) in a loose adaptation of the Planet Hulk storyline.
Ragnarok was such a success both financially and among fans that Taika Waititi brought back for the upcoming Thor: Love And Thunder, which will explore Jane Foster’s time as the Mighty Thor.
3 Moana (2016) – 95%
Walt Disney Animation released Moana in 2016 which explored the titular young girl’s quest as she embarked across the ocean, hoping to end an ancient curse and restore the land of her Polynesian people. This led the girl, known as Moana (Auliʻi Cravalho), to the demigod, Maui (Dwayne Johnson), who joined her on her mission across the ocean.
Taika Waititi only wrote the initial draft of the screenplay which went through a number of changes before it arrived on the big screen, leaving him as an uncredited writer of Disney’s hit Moana after he left the project to return home following the birth of his first child.
2 What We Do In The Shadows (2014) – 96%
Taika Waititi reteamed with Jemaine Clement for 2014’s What We Do In The Shadows, which followed a documentary team as they filmed a group of ancient vampires who are living together in Wellington, New Zealand, as they attempt to enjoy the nightlife, avoid the hilariously clueless police, and feed on the local populace. The hilarious take on the over-saturated genre was a refreshing look at vampires that also included an unforgettable look at werewolves, featuring a great cameo from Rhys Darby, who also starred on HBO’s Flight of the Conchords.
What We Do In The Shadows proved to be so popular with fans that it led to a TV adaptation on FX that followed a new group of vampires as they settled in America. There was even a spin-off series that followed the police officers from the movie called Wellington Paranormal.
1 Hunt For The Wilderpeople (2016) – 97%
2016’s Hunt For The Wilderpeople was written and directed by Taika Waititi. The film was based on Wild Pork and Watercress by Barry Crump, which followed similar themes of abandonment and loss as 2010’s Boy. Troubled young orphan, Ricky (Julian Dennison), and his widowed adoptive father figure, Hec (Sam Neill), escape into the wilderness to avoid Ricky’s return to the foster system and Hec’s possible trouble with the law.
The film featured amazing performances from a well-constructed cast that were further showcased by Waititi’s increasing skill behind the camera. It all came together for a nearly perfect critical rating from Rotten Tomatoes.
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