Eagle vs Shark (2007)

Eagle vs Shark is the tale of two socially awkward misfits and the strange ways they try to find love; through revenge on high-school bullies, burgers, and video games.The critical consensus on Rotten Tomatoes was that while there were "frequent moments of wit and mordant humor, Eagle vs Shark needs more to distinguish itself from other precious, Napoleon Dynamite-ish comedies' moments." That is probably about right. I loved the awkwardness of both characters, I loved the idea of an animal party. I've given this a good rating mostly for its quirkiness, but I do have to concede that Taika Waititi had still not quite found his groove. If not for that "Conchord" star power, this might have gone completely unnoticed.

"Eagle vs Shark," is a quirky romantic comedy that finds most of its humor in dialogue and absurd situations. The film is easily compared to "Napoleon Dynamite," in that the characters are socially awkward and the story revels in the common everyday happenings of less than extraordinary people. The comparison breaks down in regards to the subject matter and themes explored. EvS is a story of how romantic and familial relationships develop. The film strives to create a humorous story that is actually quite reflective of how many people lead their lives. The effect is a touching and funny film that is extremely easy to relate to.Some qualification is necessary for the above. Many audience members will not have the exact experiences as those in the film. That said, the plights, thought patterns, and actions of the main characters remain hauntingly familiar. For example, the love interest of the two mid-twenty-somethings springs from the retail work place. As these two currently aimless drifters knock into each other, the results are far from surprising. We soon learn that nerdy-ness has not created some reclusive pop culture obsessives. Rather, these are people who have developed coping mechanisms that are odd but highly effective. Both characters, as one would expect, are not shy about sex, giving opinions, their own societal position and the social status that they desire. Essentially, these are very realistic "dorks" going about their wonderfully idiosyncratic lives. Furthermore, these are adult dorks dealing with the issues that matter most to the target audience, namely, adult relationships and interaction. The loving development of realistic characters working within an entertaining story allows this romantic comedy to be fresh, unpretentious, and very easy to empathize with.While the above clearly demonstrates my personal attitudes, I do believe the film is open to some criticism. The humor is comprised of mostly dialogue driven quips and absurdities. The viewer is treated to humor that is highly contextualized and therefore not generally funny. The film, basically, provides very little repeatable humor. To be more clear, the film is akin to watching an inside joke. Just as close friends jibe and tease with words and phrases that hold significance due to the relationship, EvS is filled with personality and relationship based humor. This can be a turn off. The film rarely makes one laugh out loud. Rather, EvS is more of a constant chuckle and snort fest.As to the technical aspects of the film, they are all well done and professional. The editing leads to a well paced film that does not really feel like 90 minutes. The scenery and shot composition highlight the beauties of New Zealand as well as the slipshod attempts of space personalization by the lower middle class (i.e. Jarrod's mounting of Ninja weapons on the wall). The acting and scripting, as mentioned above, are realistic and nuanced. Overall, this is very well done comedy that manages a great deal of heartfelt and awkward realism.On a personal note, I will be recommending this film to anyone who will listen. Unlike many indies, EvS is highly accessible, romantic and funny to boot. In essence, the film is and deserves to be seen because it is refreshing and optimistic. 8.4 of 10 stars.

Eagle vs. Shark is a love story of two lonely people, who're socially distant - to say the least - from 'normality'. But what is normality anyways? Is it necessarily something that one should reach for? That's one of the main questions that Taika Cohen raises, and also the very thing that makes this piece quite extraordinary in its own way. It's like a reformed version of Peter Pan.Though Eagle vs. Shark is a love story and a comedy, romantic comedy isn't a very good word for it. It actually has a lot of tragical aspects to it, and it isn't all that lighthearted one might assume. It's a tragicomical story of two social misfits - one of which has stuck in a childlike behaviour because of all of the trauma he has faced in his past, and the other one who feels like a total outcast of the society, because of all of the rejection she has faced in her social life.Eagle vs. Shark has often been compared to "Little Miss Sunshine" and it does have - besides the somewhat similar type of humour - one major similarity in it's themes - the importance of family. It is the route and solution to all of their heartaches and traumas. Having one might drive you in to madness, but not having one is just twice as awful. This is also at the same time the strongest, and the weakest link of Eagle vs Shark. Since the family issues are thematically the whole core of the movie, it should have concentrated more on those issues. It passes the whole subject too hastely - thus sadly never reaching such depth in it's characters that it could have reached.Eagle vs. Shark manages not to fall in to any of the typical romance clichés. It goes by it's own heartwarmingly peculiar ways from the beginning to the end, balancing between comedy and drama the whole way. It's almost impossible to even categorize it in any way. Even though I wouldn't cinematically call it a masterpiece or anything, it still is really a one of a kind.

First, great story - brilliant strip of characters to raw emotions, simplicity and beauty.Second, surprisingly acting from Loren Horsley, virtually unknown to me. She manages to transmit such powerful emotions with just her bright and peacefull eyes.And third, great directing, and great musical arrangements. This movie reveals gradually characters and raw human emotions at a brilliant pace, and you will find loving not only each of the characters but the whole frame in the end.Worht mentioning the animated sequences, used with caution and revealing delightful metaphors.