Eagle vs Shark (2007)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Director:

Taika Cohen

Writers:

Taika Cohen (story)
Taika Cohen (written by)

Release Date:

17 August 2007 (UK)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance

Tagline:

Finding love was never so... Awkward.

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. |

Plot Keywords:

Revenge | Video Game | Bird In Title | Versus In Title | Father Daughter Relationship

Awards:

5 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Loren Horsley	...	Lily
Jemaine Clement	...	Jarrod
Joel Tobeck	...	Damon
Brian Sergent	...	Jonah
Craig Hall	...	Doug Davis
Rachel House	...	Nancy
Morag Hills	...	Vinny
Bernard Stewart	...	Zane
Taika Cohen	...	Gordon (as Taika Waititi)
David Fane	...	Eric Elisi
Cohen Holloway	...	Mason
Gentiane Lupi	...	Tracy
Chelsie Preston-Crayford	...	Jenny (as Chelsie Preston Crayford)
Adam Gardiner	...	Tony
Jackie van Beek	...	Burger Staff

MPAA:

Rated R for language, some sexuality, and brief animated violence.

Runtime:

USA:88 min | Germany:93 min (Berlin International Film Festival)

Country:

New Zealand

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | DTS

Certification:

USA:R | Singapore:M18 | UK:15 (theatrical) | UK:15 | Ireland:15A | Australia:M | Finland:K-7 | Sweden:11

Filming Locations:

Cuba Mall, Wellington, New Zealand

Company:

New Zealand Film Commission

Trivia:

The script was workshopped at the exclusive Sundance Director's and Screenwriter's Labs.

Quotes:

Jarrod: That was some pretty good sex last night, huh?

Movie Connections:

References Fable (2004) (VG)

Soundtrack:

The Pool

Eagle vs. Awesome

I just saw Eagle vs. Shark twice. I went to see it once, and thought it was so awesome that I bought a ticket and went to the very next show. I already know this is going to be one of my favorite movies.

Plain and simple, this is a very awkward love story. It doesn't have a complicated plot, it doesn't have any complicated special effects, but what it does have in abundance is comedy. If you're a fan of Monty Python, The Young Ones, Kids in the Hall, The State, Andy Kaufman, Top Secret, Will Ferrel, 1970's SNL-- this is for you. It's that kind of humor. If you're a fan of films Epic Movie, Eurotrip, Dukes of Hazzard or more mainstream types of humor-- this is not for you.

The second time watching it, I laughed almost harder than the first time, because I kept finding even more details in the background to laugh at. I can already see myself quoting this film with my friends: "I'm too complex!" "She went to a lesbian party." And details like the crazy burger (where the bun is on the inside and the hamburger patties are on the outside) are just so priceless. I want to have an Eagle vs. Shark party and make crazy burgers with everyone, play fightman, and chuck shoes at my friend with a helmet.

But the main surprise of this film is also how emotional it is too. I was laughing out of my seat for the first half hour, then I was completely floored by how much I actually cared about these characters. In this love story-- you see these people who are absolutely perfect for each other (or perhaps absolutely wrong for each other), as they drift apart there's a true feeling of sadness for them. Most comedies of this wackier sort don't actually make me care about what was happening, and both times through I really felt for them.

But the best part is the ending. You might think this film is going to wuss out-- and it's actually unbelievable what happens. I won't ruin it for you, but if you were like me, and an hour into the film had predicted what was going to happen-- you are mistaken! This film ends with a bang and is just incredibly fulfilling. I'm smiling just thinking about it.

I cannot wait to see what their next film is, because it's the ultimate movie for my tastes. At the very least, I look forward to seeing this film over and over again at midnight screenings and on DVD.