Curious’ Taika Waititi gives the world a taste of what AUNZ can do

AUNZ’s greatest contribution to film? Ever? Taika Waititi has to be included in that conversation. He writes. He directs. And he has a flair for offbeat humour that seems to tickle everyone’s fancy.

Even in ads. He makes great ads. The judges at Cannes and D&AD say so. His last project was the greatest movie. Hunt for the Wilderpeople is the #1 New Zealand film of all time in NZ, the #1 New Zealand film in Australia and the all-time highest grossing film in New Zealand in 2016.

His current project is directing Thor: Ragnorok. The first Marvel trailer was released last night. Less than 24 hours later, it is approaching 6.9 million views and is the #1 trending YouTube video.

Forbes gives an inkling of why, “To sum it up, Justice League‘s teaser was good, this was better. The difference? Showmanship!”

And Vox media culture site, Polygon, added, “Whereas Thor: The Dark World relied on Loki and his mischievous character for comic relief, Thor: Ragnarok will use director Taika Waititi’s expertise in creating sardonic, weird humour and actor Chris Hemsworth’s comedic abilities to create a Guardians of the Galaxy-style movie.”

Having Cate Blanchett, Tom Hiddleston, Benedict Cumberbatch, Idris Elba, Anthony Hopkins, Sam Neill and Jeff Goldblum in the cast is a bonus, but so far, all eyes are on Waititi and Hemsworth.

“Taika Waititi seems to be in his element, budgets and broader narrative demands notwithstanding, and this looks like a thunderously good time at the movies,” Forbes noted.

Finally, the film has been given an enthusiastic thumbs up by the world’s #1 superhero publication, ComicBook, who said, “The first trailer for Thor: Ragnarok just debuted, and fans are raving about all of the awesome footage contained in the two minutes of footage…It looks like Taika Waititi has brought his A game.”

And its readers agree. The film is sitting on a 4.11 out of 5 ComicBook.com User Anticipation Rating.

The publication has also found a Waititi gift in the trailer for extra-observant fans to find (or Waititi’s almost subliminal signature on the film?) It’s a reference from Hunt for the Wilderpeople. In Wilderpeople rap fan, Ricky, uses the phrase, “I didn’t choose the Skux life, the Skux life chose me.” The Skux Life is New Zealand slang equivalent to the US’s Thug Life. Towards the beginning of the trailer, Hela finds Thor and destroys his hammer. As he watches, the viewer is able to see Skux Life graffiti spray-painted on the wall behind him.