Last night I was lucky enough to witness a battle between an eagle and a shark.

Alright, they were people dressed up in animal costumes, but all the same, it was even more entertaining than it sounds. I’m talking, of course, about the newly released Eagle vs Shark. This off-beat tale, from film maker Taika Waititi, takes us into the lives of a couple of misfits who turn out to be a perfect fit for one another.

It was refreshing to see a romantic comedy that was actually funny. Both Lily (Loren Horsley) and Jarrod (Jermaine Clement, of Flight of the Conchords fame) were likeable and believeable as quirky outsiders living on the fringes of society. With touches of bittersweetness, Eagle vs Shark was hilarious for the most part, featuring countless laugh-out-loud moments throughout. My pick for best scene must go to the game-off between Eagle and Shark, who fight to the death (in cyberspace), in front of a crowd of partygoers dressed as animals. Classic stuff. Watch for the horse boy.

This is a must-see movie, so get out there and support the Kiwi film industry!

For more New Zealanders on the big screen, visit our New Zealand movies category.