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Plot: 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.
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Eagle vs. Shark Recent Reviews
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Recent Reviews
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MCT:December 6, 2008
"You're a bitch and you're going to die of diabetes!"
I suppose it was inevitable that a Napoleon Dynamite clone would eventually be made. That quirky tale of nerd life captivated audiences and befuddled critics for what seemed like a decade during the summer of 2004. So when such a quirky and nice nation state like New Zealand took the idea of a dry comedy about an uber-nerd seeking revenge against his former high school bully I was a bit skeptical of any viewing enjoyment on my part, this in spite of a rather amusing trailer. The thing is, I have this thing for this kind of flicks, even when they come off as a bit pretentious. So, while Eagle vs Shark doesn't always ring true, I can't ignore the fact that I laughed hysterically on several occasions while watching it.
Lily (Loren Horsely) lives with her brother Damien (Joel Tobeck), works a dead-end fast food job, and is cursed with being unconventionally pretty. She is also deeply in love with Jarrod (Jemaine Clement, that genius from "Flight of the Conchords"). Jarrod who lives with his roommate, works at an electronics store, and is cursed with being unconventional and, as he describes himself, "complex." He is also deeply in love with Lily's co-worker.
Fortunately for the plot, Lily makes short work of this rather large hurdle. When Jarrod drops off an invitation to his annual "Dress as your favourite animal" costume party, Lily proceeds to invite herself and her brother to the party, while also hiding the invitation from Jarrod's intended recipient. Once at the party Lily is able to capture Jarrod's affection by coming as his second favourite animal (a shark) and dominating during a video game tournament. When she purposefully loses during the final match versus Jarrod, thereby pre-emptively massaging his fevered male ego, he is unwittingly powerless to resist her charms.
Soon after Jarrod reveals to Lily that he is on a quest to redeem himself. A former childhood bully is returning to his hometown and Jarrod has a dream of finally righting all the wrongs that were perpetrated against him all those years ago. All he needs is a ride home, an audience, and a bo staff to finally vanquish his childhood demons.
It's all very well-worn stuff. Quirky and likable geeks, social outcasts, comic book metaphors... but Eagle vs Shark is able to remain fresh and engaging mainly due to its utter Kiwi charm and that of its two talented actors who are somehow able to create real human beings out of character-jokes. A wonderfully metaphorical stop-motion sequence involving apples helps highlight this strength. While Jarrod is the "hero" of this tale, he's not without his flaws. In fact, he's pretty much a dick. His overwhelming need for his father's approval leads him to act horribly and insensitive to almost everyone around him. This, while Lily struggles to assert herself and show off her best qualities to Jarrod and his family, results in her constantly being overshadowed, overlooked, and ignored at every instance.
But while the driving theme is of redemption, culminating in one of the most hilariously disturbing fight scenes ever put on film, at its heart Eagle vs Shark is a love story. A son desperately trying to heal the father he loves in the only manner that he knows how, and the woman who loves him in spite of his every unconscionable attempt at sabotaging their relationship. These people aren't perfect, they aren't pretty, and they just might be losers. But they might have finally found what truly makes them happy.
"I have two things to say. One: I am leaving tomorrow on a bus. Two: that could change." -
MCT:September 25, 2008Eagle vs. Shark is fun and sweet with loads to like. At the same time though all these things can be enjoyed from other films. Like so many of recent years the quirky humour tries too hard to be slightly odd and out there. The trick to oddball comedy is to find the right kind of balance, something both Hal Ashby and Wes Anderson were always able to do. The performances are great and have a real feel of family to them and the romance that blossoms is dealt with in a charming and cute way. The best moments were the stop-motion animations that paralleled the main story in a much more compact way.
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MCT:September 2, 2008This looks like the most insufferable hipster shit ever.
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MCT:June 1, 2008It reminded me of Napoleon Dynamite. Had some funny parts.
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MCT:May 21, 2008Basically New Zealand's version of Napoleon Dynamite, but picture it 10 years after high school and have him try out an adult relationship. I must have laughed out loud a hundred times, especially when the main character attempts to beat up an old high school bully in a wheelchair with nun chucks.
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MCT:January 3, 2009
Cute. It's a New Zealand-y romantic comedy version of "Napoleon Dynamite" basically. I probably found this way funnier than most people because the movie does then try to take itself seriously at times.
Comments
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devinatasposted 558 days ago -
