Eagle Vs. Shark - Review

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Length: 87 min

Rated: R

Distributor: Miramax Films

Release Date: 2007-06-15

Starring: Jemaine Clement, Loren Horsley, Craig Hall, Rachel House, Brian Sergent

Directed by Taika Waititi

Produced by Cliff Curtis, Ainsley Gardiner, Emanuel Michael

Written by Taika Waititi

Visit the movie's Official Site!

Reviewed by Lexi Feinberg : 2007-04-09 00:57:57

There is an alarming drought of good romantic misfit movies, which is why Eagle Vs. Shark should come as a pleasant surprise to those who are wearing out their copies of Ghost World and American Splendor. Give Seymour and Enid and Harvey and Joyce a week off, and meet Lily and Jarrod, the latest pair of awkward, fumbling outcasts to be struck by Cupid’s off-kilter arrow.

Eagle Vs. Shark gets its title from one of the first scenes between the literal “odd couple”: Lily (Loren Horsley), a failed fast food server with a massive crush on electronic store clerk Jarrod (Jemaine Clement), crashes his “dress as your favorite animal” party. She shows up as a shark; he is an eagle, a choice he deems “slightly better.” Once he sees her annihilate the other players in a video game, he warms up to her—how could he not, they even have matching facial moles.

In a more mainstream movie, the couple would start dating, fall madly in love and gradually start to dress better, become more social and join the nearest country club--basically using their affection as a launching pad to eradicate their dorky ways. Not here. Eagle Vs. Shark celebrates these characters and the fact that they dare to be different; it’s essentially a crinkled love note to people who don’t quite fit.

Talented New Zealand writer/director Taika Waititi, who earned an Oscar nod for his short film Two Cars, One Night, gives Lily and Jarrod their own sets of personal issues but never patronizes them. Following the flick’s unconventional ways, they actually spend most of the movie trying to figure out how to be together, rather than enjoying the early buzz of a relationship. This is mainly due to Jarrod’s crazy mission to unleash his inner ninja on an old high school bully from 10 years ago.

For this reason, despite its playful whimsy, Eagle Vs. Shark can be very frustrating. In the press notes, Waititi describes Jarrod as “all the very worst traits of every male you’ve ever known, including myself, plonked into one package.” And while that gives Clement the chance to make him hilariously squirm-inducing, it is also hard to watch him carelessly (and frequently) dismiss Lily, easily the most loveable character to hit the screen in recent memory. If she doesn’t run away with your heart in this movie, you might want to check your pulse.

The film’s off-putting humor and polarizing anti-hero will remind many of Napoleon Dynamite and Buffalo 66, with the added perk of gorgeous New Zealand scenery and a catchy soundtrack by Phoenix Foundation. Not everything gels perfectly in Eagle Vs. Shark--including a few scenes with stop-motion animation, which add nothing to the story--but it’s endearing to spend 87 minutes with characters who could care less what you think of them. Talk about revenge of the nerds.

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Note: This website is not intended for use by minors. The views expressed in this comments section are not necessarily our own. Comments that we deem to be poorly worded, off topic, or threatening will not be published. For free, uncensored discussion visit our forum.

Mack Says:
April 9th, 2007 at 02:29
Wow. I love every movie, with the exception of Napoleon Dynamite, that you mentioned. Sounds like an awesome film. I'll have to check it out.

Josh Says:
April 9th, 2007 at 02:35
The thing is, I don't really think this is anything like Napoleon Dynamite (which I too hate Mack). The comparison is valid and I think you have to discuss it, but Napoleon Dynamite has a total disdain for its characters. I don't think Jared Hess actually liked Napoleon Dynamite, the movie is built around humiliating him and laughing at what a pathetic human being he is.

This is not that kind of movie. It embraces its characters, loves its characters, and makes you fall in love with its characters.

Like Lexi says, some of the style of humor is similar to Napoleon, which is why you almost have to bring it up, but they're really completely different films in what they're trying to achieve and the way the material is handled.

Eagle vs. Shark celebrates being weird and different, Napoleon Dynamite makes fun of it.

Lexi Says:
April 9th, 2007 at 08:24
I think it would be near-impossible for anyone to see this movie and not think of "Napoleon Dynamite," in terms of the general vibe and the way the lead guy behaves. But, like the two of you, I am not a fan of that movie. At all.

This one is better because it has more heart. It definitely seems like it used ND as a stepping stone to create something better. Works for me.

I suspect far less people will see this one though.

Mack Says:
April 9th, 2007 at 12:42
Ohhh ok good. That's a big relief and definitely, increases my excitement level for seeing this.

It's really no surprise that MTV produced that piece of garbage in their seeminly desperate attempt to mock anyone that the world perceives as odd.

Here's to hoping Eagle vs Shark plays somewhere within a half hour of Bloomington.

Gareth Says:
April 10th, 2007 at 20:57
wow a New Zealand front page. unexpected but hey those guys are about as funny as it gets.

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Eagle Vs. Shark - Review

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