"Ihaka: Blunt Instrument" is all about Ihaka (Morrison), a New Zealand no nonsense macho Maori cop with a penchant for taking matters into his own hands and solving problems with his fists. In this installment he his shipped off to Australia where he teams up with a beautiful desk jockey cop (Gibney) and together they go off to solve a murder. A banal, mediocre effort, this film suffers from stiff performances from the two leads, a sophomoric script, an unimaginative storyline, and more. What the minds behind the film wanted is obvious but what they deliver is a second rate waste of acting talent. Recommended for Aussies, Kiwi's, Maori's, and others with an interest in the regional TV fare. (C)
Note - Morrison's powerful performance in "Once Were Warriors" is evidence of potential which is wasted in "Ihaka".
Note - Morrison's powerful performance in "Once Were Warriors" is evidence of potential which is wasted in "Ihaka".