Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful!
Review: This film was wonderful! The traditions, the interactions between the old world and the new world, and the scenery truly do justice to the life of a Maori. The comment from a reviewer who thought it was to be a "feminist" movie and didn't understand the grandfather showing no remorse obviously has had no contact with a native culture nor, specifically, a Polynesian culture. Boo hoo for you buddy.Polynesians...this movie will fill you with pride!
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful film . . .
Review: This is an absolutely inspiring film. It touched my heart and brought tears to my eyes. In a time when so many children take everything for granted, it was good to see a film about a young girl who believed in herself and her future (fate) even when the most important man in her life did not share her beliefs and openly discouraged her activities.
Rating: 
Summary: Bend it Like Billy Beluga
Review: The girl, forbidden from taking the role of chief because she is female, eventually triumphs over the prejudice of her grandfather. Yay. We saw it coming. We saw her triumph in the voice over at the beginning. This little girl is the Melanie Wilkes of this movie, who never does ANYTHING wrong. Show me a girl as brutally verbally and emotionally abused as this one, and you can bet she won't be thorougly motivated and angelic. The movie cuts her every break--when the boys practice martial arts, the director allows/makes them look silly. She, of course, is just perfect. And doesn't it bother any of the 5 star reviewers that the grandfather never shows remorse, let alone atonement, for his years of abusing his wife and granddaughter? Or that the wife leaves the abusive man for a little while, pretty much "to show him," never making any real changes in the relationship? At least Bend it Like Beckham KNEW it was superficial. At least Billy Elliott showed the characters thinking about their choices. Bleah. I give it two stars for at least being a movie about a female that doesn't unclothe her. Thanks for trying, at least, to be progressive.
Rating:
Summary: Great work - fast paced and fascinating!
Review: This movie is a great example of a young girl's moxie and her community benefitting as a result. Also meets my requirements of the characters undergoing a change during the movie - her grandfather completely transforms from a yesterday man to a today man (in terms of gender). Regarding the DVD itself, the deleted scenes were great to see - I always thought they would have been good to be in the movie (except for the terrible one, of course).
I look forward to watching this movie whenever things get me down!
Rating:
Summary: Filmaking at its Finest
Review: Whale Rider is, quite simply, a beautiful film. The performances across the board are outstanding. I could sympathize with every character in this film and understand their feelings about tradition and history versus the modern world. Castle-Hughes is a revelation - you love and believe in this girl. The photography and score are perfect and no actor hits even a single false note. Visually stunning, romantic and moving. You owe it to yourself to see this film.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Review: This was truly one of the best films I have ever seen. It was breathtaking seen in the theater. As soon as I came home, I logged in to buy my own copy. The soundtrack is wonderful and evocative. Keisha Castle-Hughes is incredible. NZ is beautiful as always. The DVD extras are interesting (including director and actor interviews). I think everyone should own this movie.
Rating: 
Summary: somewhat slow moving and initially a let down
Review: but it does get much better as the story progresses-slowly, and somewhat trsgically for the little girl that no one seems to want, but is able to do everything like a chief leader. i found it dull, than uplifting, and by its conclusion, pretty moving! but i could not find the rave review inside me that i was expecting. very good flick with some wonderful acting though. worth a rental but not a buy to own.
Rating:
Summary: "I can't. Girls aren't allowed"
Review: This year has been marvelous in the theatrical release of movies that aim to enrich and encourage young girls to bypass cultural boundaries that hold them back from the biological aspect that they were born female. In a similar fashion to BENDING IT LIKE BECKHAM, WHALE RIDER is a story of a young Maori girl living in New Zealand who desires to become the new tribal leader. But because Pai was born a girl her grandfather prohibits her from learning the cultural traditions. Pai is then forced to sit on the sidelines while other first-born boys are taught the ancient ways of their ancestors. Her stern and strict grandfather often reprimands her and she is determined to prove herself worthy of the post of the new chef. Although there are obvious similarities between these two films, WHALE RIDER contains a more richly textured and nuanced plot. The most compelling part of the story is the anthropological plotline whereby a culture must face its own mortality in a modern world. When old customs and traditions have lost their meaning for every day life, why keep them going? The surprises in the script are not in how it will turn out, but in the matter-of-fact honestly of the characters. Interesting view of a different culture, and well acted. WHALE RIDER is a great viewing experience.
Rating:
Summary: Beyond "Beckham"
Review: This is a gem of a movie. It explores some similar themes to "Bend it Like Beckham" (girl power, pursuit of dreams, clash of old and new culture, generation gap), but there is more here and the film is much more thought provoking. The characters are well drawn and finely acted by a largely Maori cast. Keisha Castle-Hughes is particularly striking in the lead role, giving a remarkable first performance. The film is beautifully shot on location using unobtrusive and understated special effects. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: "Ua Mau Ke Ea O Ka Aina I Ka Pono"
Review: Its wonderful how many people saw and reviewed this movie, this is by far the best film for the year of 2003! I even remember the story of paikea, we'd have it told to us in elementary school from the kupuna's (The Elderly). Its awesome that a movie was made in its honor! It is always nice to educate the rest of the world about one culture and its beliefs! Keisha made a great paikea, I couldnt imagine anyone else pulling it off. This is definately a movie to own!!
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