“JoJo Rabbit”

       “Jojo Rabbit” is a relatively low-budget film that was released in late December of 2019. The movie is set towards the end of World War II in Germany as the German forces retreat, the allies gain ground and the German government begins to contradict the reality of the war. The movie is accompanied by a wonderful soundtrack and an even more wonderful cast. 

       The movie begins with a boy, Jojo, who has few friends and is as pro-Nazi as a little kid can be. The film follows Jojo and his growing belief in Nazism as he is brainwashed by countless people that he looks up to. As the reality of the Germans’ performance in the war and his mother’s own subtle lessons sink in, Jojo begins to open his eyes to the reality of his world.

        The movie is certainly funny as well as intense and at some points tragic. Jojo’s imaginary friend, Adolf Hitler, is somewhat comical in nature and tries to help him along throughout the movie, leading him into more and more trouble. Ultimately the movie really gets interesting when Jojo discovers a Jewish girl in his attic and his whole world is flipped. He’s forced to reconsider what the Nazi party really stands for and if what he’s been told his whole life is really true. The cast, which includes Roman Davis as Jojo, Taika Waititi as Adolf Hitler and Scarlett Johansson as Jojo’s mother Rosie, certainly shines.

      With the combination of talent, emotion and overall plot, this movie was one of the best that I have seen in a long time and for that reason, I give it five out of five anchors.