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Eagle Vs. Shark [2007]


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Editorial
Synopsis

Fans of cult hit NAPOLEON DYNAMITE will find much to like in this quirky New Zealand import. Director Taika Waititi's debut feature centres on the oddest of couples: Lily (Loren Horsley), an outcast at the fast food restaurant where she works, and Jarrod (Jermaine Clement, FLIGHT OF THE CONCORDS), a clerk at a video game store who is completely oblivious to his dork status. Lily's days revolve around Jarrod's daily burger-driven appearances at her job, but, alas, he only has eyes for her perky blonde coworker. But Lily wins his heart with her video game prowess, and the pair becomes a couple. However, Jarrod has more than romance on his mind, and he journeys back to his hometown to face a high school nemesis with loyal Lily in tow. Though Jarrod provides much of the film's humour, Lily provides its heart. Horsley's resume doesn't feature a large number of credits, but she is wonderful as Lily. She's awkward and honest, sweet and completely smitten with Jarrod. As Jarrod, Clement has perfected the deadpan delivery that made NAPOLEON DYNAMITE so much fun. As in its predecessor, EAGLE VS. SHARK features characters that aren't aware that they aren’t 'normal'. From Jarrod's mullets to his family's beloved track suits, they’re a study in strange, but they are genuine and real people. Like other odd romances such as HAROLD AND MAUDE, this love seems unlikely, but good acting and smart writing make it work.


dark departure for Conchord
Review date: 2008-07-14 Rating: 6 out of 10

I investigated this film on the back of brilliant indie comedy Flight of the Conchords, the vehicle through which Jermaine Clement achieved mainstream fame. Having never seen him outside of his bizarrely symbiotic relationship with Bret Mckenzie, I was surprised to see Clement here: in a Dynamite-esqe film. While Clement gets most of the good one liners in this film, you may find yourself disliking him in the first portion of the film. Before the action moves wholesale to Jarrod's family home, he comes across as rather one dimensional next to the bottomless well of emotion that is Lily. His assertion "I'm just so deep" makes you want to answer "No, you're just an insensitive idiot".

However, this is a film of 2 halves, and when you meet Jarrod's family, you realise what lies behind his Dynamite style bravado. Lily's patience, emotion and soul cannot help but touch you from here on in, and you'll root for her all the way through. Probably as the film maker intended, the whole film eventually hangs on one line spoken by Jarrod near the end, and you'll either hate or love the film based on this. If you loved the Life Aquatic (the film this most closely resembles apart from Dynamite), then you'll probably like this. It kept me smiling all the way through, but also left me very sad in places. The animation sequences have been criticised in other reviews, but I found they made sense by the end.

This is a different comedy from the Conchords, a deep emotional one, and it certainly has depths where Dynamite had none. It's much heavier than Little Miss Sunshine and Eternal Sunshine. I'm only awarding 3 stars, as some aspects of the film are tacked on for no apparent reason, (a certain little girl, for example) and this is definitely not a film for everyone. I liked it, It's broken, but beautiful.


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Reviews


"You foolish fool" add it to your basket
Review date: 2008-07-11 Rating: 10 out of 10

I saw this film completely off the cuff, after strolling in to a small cinema on a visit to Poland. I had no idea what it was called or what it was about we just picked the first film available in English.

And turned out to be this wondrous gem, Eagle vs Shark' lily an obviously lonely individual takes an eye for an electronics shop assistant `jarred' an emotional inept loveable idiot! Who decide to embark on a quest for jarred to get he's revenge on a school bully after jarred takes to her with a little help from her computer game skills. On the way we get to meet their family's who are all justified and interesting characters the performances are flawless from everyone and mixing that with a great scrip films rarely fail.

It was funny and in places hilarious, throughout yet I had tears in the back of my eyes some of joy and some of sorrow the majority of the way through. The music is another thing that goes hand in hand with everything I have just listed and only adds the way this film knocked me down in its avalanche of beauty.

I have struggled to realize the point in films in our current decade but I think we have finally got some kind of formula that is unique. The formula I believe `Wes Anderson' is king of. Sensitive films that are deep and loving that seem to peel off layers and layers of emotions and situations until they get to the films climax or the core of the character and ourselves. Also usually a film containing an array of characters that keep you loving them start to finish. Not only with his films such as`Bottle Rocket' Royal Tenenbaums' `Dargeeling limited' which I think lay at the heart of this original movement we also have others like `Little miss sunshine' Napoleon Dynamite' `Happiness' even `Nacho libre' Les Choristes' and of course this classic `Eagle vs Shark' I hate putting things in boxes and I'm not, its just nice to finally see some films with substance and feeling. Which allow me to finally start think that perhaps these are not just little one offs but finally a good thing happening to the modern film industry.



Awesome!!
Review date: 2008-04-30 Rating: 10 out of 10

I went to New Zealand last August and stayed in Auckland. On my last night there we decided to go and see a Kiwi movie at the local cinema, and we wanted to go and see the film that had massive posters everywhere; Eagle VS Shark. Other than that we knew nothing about this movie. I honestly didn't expect Kiwis to have such an excellent sense of humour (I like to think Brits have the best) but I was verging on embarrassing because I was literally laughing hysterically for the majority of the film. The use of the stone roses track at the end did indeed bring a lump to my throat, and people may say this film is just an imitation of Napoleon Dynamite but I don't care to be honest because I've never even seen that film!! And I love Eagle VS Shark! It really suprised me and though I wanted to hate Jarrod for being so mean to lovely little Lily I actually found him kind of hot. The wheelchair scene is the best part! Watch it if only for that it is so shockingly brilliant! You expect this film to have a yucky American conclusion but it really swings the other way. Love it!!

Quirky bundle of joy
Review date: 2008-04-06 Rating: 10 out of 10

Watched this one Saturday afternoon when had nothing else to do. Maybe it was my frame of mind at the time but I just loved it. It made me laugh straight away, I loved its oddness and by the end felt all warm inside! At 84 mins it was just the right length to keep the viewer engaged and keep up the pace.

try as I might, I couldn't help smiling
Review date: 2008-03-24 Rating: 8 out of 10

I picked up Eagle-V-Shark based on my love of Flight Of The Conchords' Jemaine Clement. And while I'm not madly in love with it, I do think it was well worth the 84 minute investment. The strongest feature of this film is its steadfast resistance to making mullet-sporting, nerdy Jarrod loveable.

Sweet-natured, awkward Lily (Loren Horsley) has a thing for Jarrod who has a thing for Lily's coworker. Still, Lily perseveres and wins Jarrod's attentions by triumphing in a video game contest. While Lily looks on, doe-eyed, Jarrod complains endlessly and obsesses about his quest to beat up a childhood bully who made his life hell.

That's about it as far a plot goes. What we're left with is a portrait in dysfunction. All of which might seem overbearing if not for Lily's earnestness. And, try as I might, I couldn't help smiling by the end...

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Rachel House
Joel Tobeck
Jemaine Clement
Loren Horsley
Brian Sergent

Creators:
Joel Tobeck (Primary Contributor)
Jemaine Clement (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: Optimum Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: Optimum Home Entertainment
EAN: 5055201801777
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2008-01-21
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 84 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2007

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