Jojo Rabbit

So much of a different movie than I'm used to seeing in the cinema that it made my head spin a little. However, that uniqueness is at the same time so likable that I forgive the over-the-top humor in the scenes where it wasn't particularly necessary. Just a moment later, a nearly brilliantly timed gag might come, or Taika Waititi might unexpectedly deliver a punch below the belt, for which a viewer in the right emotional state will still thank him. (06/02/2020)

This is my third encounter with director and actor Taika Waititi after What We Do in the Shadows and Thor: Ragnarok. He has a truly distinctive and unmissable style, in both good and bad sense, and fortunately, in the case of Jojo the Rabbit, the pros far outweigh the cons. I won't nitpick the fact that the film is predominantly in English, with German featuring only in notoriously familiar phrases. From the trailer, it was obvious that this was going to be a black comedy that wouldn't pull any punches, and it delivered. It is true there are a few moments where the black humour was a bit out of place, but in most cases it managed to create the desired effect. From an acting point of view, I have almost nothing to criticise. Everyone played their roles convincingly, perhaps only Hitler was a little too affected at times. If you accept the director's distinctive humour and conception of history, you will have no problem enjoying a film full of problematic shoelaces, horned Jews, German shepherds, metal pickers and many other bizarre elements and ideas that you will not see together anywhere else. A bonus was a German cover of David Bowie's “Heroes”. (24/01/2020)

Ten-year-old Jojo and his imaginary friend Adolf would do anything for Germany. But when the little hero discovers that his mother is hiding a Jewish girl at home, everything changes. Taika Waititi directs a visually very imaginative film that alternates poignant and harsh moments with humorous ones, and Scarlett Johansson and Sam Rockwell give some of the best performances of their careers. (18/02/2020)

An original, witty, socially complex and mostly quite funny to the point of insane war satire that oscillates somewhere between Life is Beautiful and No Man’s Land. Though it borrows almost nothing from either, it feels at times like a mature wine that's been with us for a few years and you just know what you're in for when you watch it. Waititi proves that he can apply his talent for funny scripts not only in big blockbusters from Marvel, but equally in low-budget war comedies. Without a stronger pace or truly unforgettable scenes, but still very positive, with an emphasis on traditional human values. You won’t need to watch it again, but at least once is a must. (18/06/2020)

The idea is original, where both the little clumsy Nazi and the heroic Nazi commander find a place in the viewer’s heart. The surprisingly playful atmosphere portrays the last days of the thousand-year Reich and also showcases the unusual characters, where the quirky, spirited and very sweet mother played by Scarlett Johansson stands out in front. I still felt such a cozy closeness from the movie, until I found out it was set in the Czech Republic (my home country). (24/03/2023)