Eagle vs. Shark Review

Eagle vs Shark
Starring Loren Horsley, Jemaine Clement, Brian Sergent and Rachel House. Written and directed by Taika Cohen. Rated R. Now playing.
by Scott Bolohan

Gosh, this movie is like Napoleon Dynamite. This film is little more than a compilation of every oddball comedy released over the last couple years, except with a New Zealand accent thrown in for the cute factor. But really, there is hardly one original idea in this flick.

Dorky loser guy who exaggerates his skills and constantly says awkward things? — Check.

Bizarre, but lovable, scene-stealing family? — Check.

Cute blonde kid with glasses who dances funny? — Check.

Seen this movie before and know exactly where it’s going? — Check.

Eagle vs. Shark may actually have out-quirked all of its predecessors, but laughing at the characters' lack of social skills is worn out quickly. Eagle tries to become a love story, but what the complex Lily (Horsley) sees in the empty and neglectful Jarrod (Clement) is never explained.

As much as the hipster crowd may want to like this movie, with its animated segments and absurdist comedy (albeit a fantastic soundtrack), the movie tries too hard to be cool by the virtue of not being cool. | RDW