With ‘Thor Ragnarok’ and  ‘What We Do In The Shadows’ and plenty of cinematic beauties under Taika Watiti’s belt, Jojo Rabbit can be added to the arsenal as a satirical cinematic masterpiece. 

   Released on November 8, 2019, ‘Jojo Rabbit’ is set in Nazi Germany. It follows ten- year-old Jojo Betzler who carries a blind torch for Germany and his “imaginary best friend” Adolf Hitler. Jojo’s patriotic ways go awry when he falls for a Jewish girl who’s life is at stake. 

     Now, that may sound like the movie is trying to romanticize war and Nazis but I assure you it’s far from it. Thirteen-year-old Roman Griffin Davis plays Jojo Betzler. This marks Griffin’s debut role which earned him an Oscar Nomination at the 2019 Academy Awards. Griffin’s ability to showcase how growing up can be forced due to war although he’s playing a ten-year-old boy is impeccable.  Taika Watiti’s portrayal of Hitler is very one-sided and supportive because he’s Jojo’s imaginary friend . Watiti’s Hitler makes you love him but then realize you can’t because it’s Hitler. And let’s not forget the ray of sunshine in this whole film, Rosie Betzler played by Scarlett Johansson. Johansson plays Jojo’s Mother who’s part of the resistance and balancing a ten-year-old war fanatic. Whenever Johansson is on the screen, you can’t help but be happy because she’s one of the most sensible characters and exudes motherly love.

   Now, I’m not a film connoisseur but I have seen my fair share of war movies. From ‘300’ to ‘1917, Watiti’s film not only takes a satirical approach towards the Nazi Party and World War II, but the movie also uses a bright color in the cinematography which is also unusual for films that focus on war. The film is full of color which contrasts the difficult times that citizens are facing with the war. It’s also refreshing to see a war movie that doesn’t make you depressed and want to die along with its characters. 

   Although the movie is full of funny moments, it’s easy to see how easy it is for a child to be manipulated and fall blindly into a group due to the whole movie being in the perspective of Jojo. From the perspective of a naive child, you gain a deeper knowledge on how war and loss can affect children in both a good and a negative way.