The Kiwi\u2019s most recent outing in the Marvel Cinematic Universe<\/a>, Thor: Love and Thunder<\/a>, was panned by some critics for <\/span>lacking substance<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>jumping around too much<\/span><\/a> tonally, despite bringing moments of enjoyable<\/span> comedy. <\/span>\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Next Goal Wins<\/a>, the long-delayed narrative adaptation of the 2014 documentary, was panned by almost all critics for lacking substance <\/span>and<\/span><\/i> failing to hit the back<\/span><\/a> of the net with its jokes.<\/span><\/p>\n And Our Flag Means Death, the hit<\/span> pirate comedy he has starred in and executive produced alongside creator David Jenkins, which seemed to provide a safe space for him to crack ad-libbed<\/span> jokes among friends, was <\/span>cancelled after just two seasons<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Like I say, he can\u2019t catch a break.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Now, sure, much of the recent criticism thrown his way<\/span> has been justifiable to a degree. Love and Thunder <\/span>did <\/span><\/i>skirt over some pretty serious topics in favour of giving its gags extended screen time. And Next Goal Wins <\/span>did <\/span><\/i>fail to capture the magic of the documentary of the same name.<\/span><\/p>\n But Our Flag Means Death? That was meant to be sacred ground, an untouchable force for good that escaped the current Waititi curse. It wasn\u2019t meant to end so soon, with the rug rather unexpectedly pulled from underneath it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n After all, Jenkins himself had <\/span>planned for a three-season narrative arc<\/span><\/a>, so for HBO to deny an end for what is ultimately a pretty short story \u2013 especially for a US sitcom \u2013 feels particularly harsh.<\/span><\/p>\n In a world where fellow Waititi outfit <\/span>What We Do in the Shadows<\/span><\/a> has coasted through to <\/span>six seasons<\/span><\/a> on a pretty tired concept and increasingly one-note characters, Our Flag Means Death \u2013 which encapsulates the<\/span> fresh-feeling comedy-drama cocktail that Waititi and his long-term collaborators like Rhys Darby can concoct when in form<\/span> \u2013\u00a0deserves better.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n As much as the Waititi mystique that defined his early career and saw him rise to superstardom may have waned somewhat in recent years, Our Flag Means Death is a proper showcase of his talents, epitomising the type of glib yet energetic humour he helped to bring to the mainstream.\u00a0<\/span><\/p> Jenkins and his stacked<\/span> writing team crafted a concept that enables this type of comedy<\/span> to thrive, throwing a group of eccentric characters into bizarre scenarios that they\u2019re completely unequipped for, but also finding plenty of time for them to just sit and chat, enabling its stars to go back and forth, becoming increasingly ridiculous as a result.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n At a time when properly enjoyable comedies<\/span> feel on the decline, it\u2019s a<\/span> breath of fresh air.<\/span><\/p>\n Yet Waititi\u2019s early projects not only won plaudits for their humour, but also for their ability to sucker punch you with a heartbreaking scene soon after bringing the laughs. <\/span><\/p>\n While he may have struggled with that blend a little more in recent times, perhaps sidelining emotion for entertainment, this series fuses its comedy with its drama perfectly.<\/span><\/p>\n In what becomes a central focus of the show by the end of season 1, the unlikely romance between Waititi\u2019s Blackbeard and Darby\u2019s Stede Bonnet initially creeps up on you, but once it grabs hold, you can\u2019t help but fall in love with their dynamic yourself. <\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s a tale of two broken souls<\/span> finding each other in the strangest of circumstances, helping to repair one another against the odds.<\/span><\/p>\n![\"Taika](\"https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2024\/02\/Our-Flag-Means-Death-Waititi-Fry-6471be8.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413\" "\\"Our")
\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>