The year is 1984 and Michael Jackson reigns supreme all around the world, even in the small community of Waihau Bay, New Zealand. For 11-year-old Boy, he’s a hero. Boy’s father, Alamein has been absent for most of his life. While Boy believes he’s been out on adventures as a deep sea diver and a samurai, he’s really been in jail for robbery. When Alamein randomly shows up at home in search for a treasure he buried years ago, Boy must confront his real father that is quite different from the hero he dreams about.

Boy is comedy about the relationship between a father and his son. Alamein (Taika Waititi) may be the leader of his own gang, the Crazy Horses, but he’s still a bumbling buffoon who thinks he’s the top dog but in reality he’s quite the loser. Boy (James Rolleston) is an energetic young kid who has a willingness to do anything to please his father. He also has a younger brother, Rocky, who likes to think he has superpowers. He doesn’t.

Director Taika Waititi brings a refreshingly witty story to the big screen in an age where most films are either a sequel/prequel or remake. Much of the humor in the film is subtle and thrives off the interactions between Boy and Alamein. Sometimes they’re awkward; sometimes they’re heartfelt; oftentimes they’re hilarious. The film will occasionally go into this fantasy world that bends reality, reimaging situations as reenactments from Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” and “Beat It” music videos or animating one of Rocky’s drawings of him using his so-called superpowers.

Boy is already New Zealand’s top grossing film of all time and for good reason. It’s a lighthearted comedy with just the right amount of ridiculousness that’ll put a smile on anyone’s face.

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