Next Goal Win's is another movie that works well within the Taika Waititi formula. Fun but flawed is how I would not only describe this film but his last few films, from Thor to Jo-Jo Rabbit.
The plot for Next Goal Wins is something that Taika and his team should have absolutely nailed as this is right in their wheelhouse. A rag-tag group of "losers" coming together to do the impossible is the premise for some of his best work and what paid for Rita Ora's big ass ring. While the film is flawed due to the "Waititi Way" it also thrives because of it.
One of the things that this film does well is introduce the audience to the life, spiritual habits and mentality of a lesser represented group of people, the American Samoa who are kind, patient and resilient. The film is at its best when it pulls us into the big kind arms of the culture and lets us in on the joke. Michael Fassbender's character, Thomas Rongen, acts as the vehicle by which we all are allowed into the world of the American Samoa. Fassbender does an excellent job with what he's given, especially a monologue that is bound to make you cry, like I did. Due to the comedic rapid fire and almost singular plot the 90+ minute movie flys by.
Waititi's specific brand of referential, prolonged comedy still works at its highest peaks but the lows are starting to become more noticeable. While it's not a perfect film, it's still an engaging & heartwarming movie that you should check out, but maybe not til it's streaming.
The plot for Next Goal Wins is something that Taika and his team should have absolutely nailed as this is right in their wheelhouse. A rag-tag group of "losers" coming together to do the impossible is the premise for some of his best work and what paid for Rita Ora's big ass ring. While the film is flawed due to the "Waititi Way" it also thrives because of it.
One of the things that this film does well is introduce the audience to the life, spiritual habits and mentality of a lesser represented group of people, the American Samoa who are kind, patient and resilient. The film is at its best when it pulls us into the big kind arms of the culture and lets us in on the joke. Michael Fassbender's character, Thomas Rongen, acts as the vehicle by which we all are allowed into the world of the American Samoa. Fassbender does an excellent job with what he's given, especially a monologue that is bound to make you cry, like I did. Due to the comedic rapid fire and almost singular plot the 90+ minute movie flys by.
Waititi's specific brand of referential, prolonged comedy still works at its highest peaks but the lows are starting to become more noticeable. While it's not a perfect film, it's still an engaging & heartwarming movie that you should check out, but maybe not til it's streaming.