Eagle Vs Shark

This New Zealand comedy from writer-director Taika Waititi wants to be charmingly off-kilter, but comes across as insufferably grating in its tale of two purportedly lovable eccentrics who seem more like mental defectives. Lily (Loren Horsley) is a put-upon, droopy-faced worker at a fast-food joint, and Jarrod (Jermaine Clement) is an adolescent-minded video game store clerk who occasionally drops in for a burger. When Lily shows up (uninvited) to Jarrod's costume party dressed as a shark (he's an eagle, thus the title) and proves herself a wiz at his beloved video games, the pair hit it off. Unfortunately, it appears that fate will quickly tear them apart, since Jarrod is about to leave for his out-of-the-way hometown to confront a bully who tormented him in school. But Lily tags along, leading to a strange and not very funny encounter with Jarrod's equally oddball family. The humor in Eagle Vs Shark is supposed to be deadpan, but only the first syllable applies in this drearily slow and amateurish slacker comedy that is likely to appeal only to those who enjoy laughing at characters rather than with them. Not recommended. [Note: DVD extras include audio commentary by writer-director Taika Waititi and cast members, deleted scenes with optional commentary (16 min.), three minutes of outtakes, the music video for “Going Fishing” performed by The Phoenix Foundation, and trailers. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a disappointing comedy.] (F. Swietek)