Rating: 
Summary: Superb - A Must See
Review: I find myself agreeing with the other reviewers. I thoroughly enjoyed watching this film keeping me captivated from beginning to end. While the basic premise of the story line is retold in many stories (person overcomes a perceived "handicap" to flourish), the way it is told is a breath of fresh air and a good lesson in the basics of humanity that transcends all cultures. It was a delight to see that the culture of these Maori (indiginous tribe of New Zealand), particularly how their struggle is insync with the struggle of many cultures today who are losing their identity and roots to the ever emerging new world order. This movie is based upon fiction mixed with mythology and legend and should be perceived as such - failure to understand this might lead one to think the spirituality of it is overdone. This was the same plight for desenters of "Crouching Tiger/Hidden Dragon" who complained about the unrealistic martial art moves."Whale Rider" is so much more than just a young girl who would become leader. This movie will not disappoint. BTW, I reserve full five stars for what I consider best in genre and this is very close but I still think "Ran" has this one beat. Regardless, it will be a valuable addition to my DVD collection when it comes out.
Rating: 
Summary: Simply stunning
Review: This movie will take your breath away and leave you speechless. I was numb for about 15 minutes after leaving the theatre. The scenery, the acting, the Maori traditions - all made for a movie that I will most definitely buy on DVD once it becomes available. Best movie I've seen in a very long time.
Rating:
Summary: The Exaltation
Review: The psychic and social pull of assimilation is very strong. We all want to belong, to be like everyone else-hide from our roots, take on the identity of the majority, the whole.
Niki Caro takes on the mantle of the Maori of New Zealand in the sad, melancholy, unrelentingly tragic yet ultimately positive "Whale Rider."
Pai (Keisha Castle-Hughes) is a young girl brought into Maori life with a couple of strikes against her: she is a female and she has survived the child bearing death of her mother and her twin, a brother who was destined to become a Chief. Her father leaves her with his parents and as she matures, she begins to develop the mystical, physical and leadership qualities of a Chief. But this is against nature says her grandfather, Koro and so begins the struggle between a grandfather and granddaughter; the struggle between the old ways and the new, the religious and the secular.
The performances are very truthful and appealing especially Vicki Haughton as Pai's grandmother, Nancy Flowers whose expressive eyes hold not only a bottomless well of love and caring but a world weary realization of the world as it is and not as her husband, Koro wishes it to be. Castle-Hughes's Kai is a marvel: all jumbled up emotions, gangly legs yet steadfastly committed to what she feels is her right and destiny. Her scene in which she recites an essay written for her grandfather will be remembered as one of the most emotionally open and tragic scenes in recent memory. "Whale Rider" is a view of a world to which we are not often privy. It is about tradition and family and roots. It is a glorification of and a return to a time and a place where the most basic emotions of family and fraternity are exalted.
Rating:
Summary: Deep meaning and a lesson about going for a dream
Review: Set in modern day New Zealand, and yet of mythic proportions, this is a story of a 12-year old Maori girl who yearns to be come a chief of her people. She's descended from a long line of chiefs, but the problem is that she is a girl. Her grandfather loves her but dismisses her interest and tries to teach all the old ways to the boys of the village. When she tries to learn too, he forbids it. However, the girl, played by Keisha Castle-Hughes is very resourceful. She gets an uncle to teach her what she needs to know and learns all the old customs and chants. Eventually, there is a crisis. And with the help of a little magic realism, she finally gets the recognition she has struggled for so much. It's a beautiful story. I learned about Maori culture and enjoyed the wonderful scenery of New Zealand. I also loved the characters and rooted for the girl to finally get her dream. However, the plot was a little too clear right from the beginning. In spite of the obstacles the girl had to overcome, there was no doubt she would eventually win. This kept the tension a little too low for my taste. And yet I have to recommend this film. It cannot be dismissed as just another story. It has deep meaning and a lesson about going for a dream. It's beautiful and touching. And politically correct in a natural way. You'll be glad to have seen it and walk out of the theater inspired and smiling.
Rating:
Summary: Keisha Castle-Hughes and Rawiri Paratene Deserve Five Stars
Review: Although I did not share the unbridled enthusiasm of several other reviewers for this film, I still strongly recommend it and understand why it strikes a responsive chord in so many people. It is a wonderful fable for our times, and simply yet emotionally tells a story that can deeply reasonate. However, while allegories such as WHALE RIDER allow the expression of powerful truths about our actions and existence, but also contain the problems inherent in the simplification engendered by such generalizations. The reviews of Shashank Tripathi (6/8/03), Joe Haschka (6/26/03) and Laon (6/23/03) discuss this movie so articulately and mirror many of my feelings so well that I refer you to them and for for a more lengthy discusion of this film and the insights which they provide and with which I generally concur. Keisha Castle-Hughes is Pai, a young girl whose mother and twin brother (and presumptive male heir who would revive his Maori's tribes fortunes in the tradition of the legendary WHALE RIDER) die in childbirth. Her grandfather, the Maori chief Koro (played by Rawiri Paratene), cannot see beyond his grief and bring himself to realize that the hope he had for his grandson to become his tribe's leader could be fulfilled by Pai. He loves Pai but is continually frustrated by her desire to step outside his traditional conception of her role; and she is deply hurt by his rejection of her attempts to learn the skills he wants her contemporary male counterpatrs to master. Koro and his wife Nanny (wonderfully played by Vicky Haughton with some of the real moments of humor coming from her performance) are raising Pai because her father and Koro's eldest son (Cliff Curtis) left New Zealand to escape the weight of his father's disappointment and his wife's death. The story is told as a straightforward narrative, but all the performances are very powerful. Castle-Hughes is amazing in her film debut, the moviegoer clearly is drawn into the story through her ability to seemingly relate to you from the screen. And the backdrop of the magnificent New Zealand coastal countryside is a visual treat. At its simplest, this is about the universal themes of Girl Power, societal changes and the intergenerational conflicts that often result, progress vs. tradition, the nature of love, and the role that fate plays in our lives. However, my enthusiasm was tempered by a few factors. First, I found a liitle of the dialog difficult to understand, which both made the film slightly less enjoyable and meant that I might have missed some of the subtleties involved. Second, while it is a wonderful story the stubbornness of Koro seemed somewhat overdone in order to dramatize his conflict with Pai; the viewer understood the point without constantly being beat over the head about it. Last, the climactic ending seemed a little contrived and perhaps not totally true to the story, both to make writer-director Caro's point and perhaps also because messages of uplift, hope and redemption have a wider audience appeal than ambiguous or downbeat endings. But despite these criticisms I want to emphasize that this film suceeds in its goal; it is an enjoyable story with excellent performances that leaves the audience uplifted as it exits the theater.
Rating:
Summary: an wonderful emotional rollercoaster
Review: this movies is deinitely ranking among one of the best movies of the year right now. this is the kind of movie that makes drama wonderful. the message that comes across the strongest is the message of love within the family. the main character played by keisha castle-hughes is top notch and is incredibly impressive considering her young age. you see every emotion come across her face i this movie and she is utterly believable. this is a story about generational gaps and how the older generation holds on to beliefs so hard that they are willing to disregard family over tradition. this movie has many female equality issues weaved into the story and each of them is well founded. when the young girl's grandfather repeatedly tells her that she cannot participate because she is a girl he often pretends that she does not exist. however on each of the tasks he teaches to the first born boys she is able to outdo all of them. on more than one occasion she defies the odds and proves that she is the whale rider that the old traditions have spoken of, and the fact that she is female is just unacceptable to her grandfather. there are many very emotional moment sin this film that could bring a tear to your eye. i wont talk about them here because they are best experienced in the movie. go and see this film it is well worth the time and money. this is a nice glimpse into a people that are very unique and have ways that are not our own but still hold meaning for the people who descended from the whale rider. it is also a story about love within the family and how almost losing something can make a person realize how much somethiong really means to them. there is a lesson in this movie that reveals differences between the generations and how in actuality the opposing generations have equal leesons to learn from each other. excellent film go and see it!
Rating:
Summary: I loved it!!
Review: You must see this movie. Beautiful New Zealand and a good story!If you have ever wanted to know anything about a native culture this move will clue you in to the native New Zealanders. Girls will really love this move, but dads and husbands will enjoy it as well!!!
Rating:
Summary: Whale of a Tale
Review: Whale rider is a moving and inspirational movie set in everyday New Zealand and based on Maori legend. Originally adapted from WIti Ihimaera's awarded winning novel and directed by Niki Caro it's the story about a young girl named Pai who is descendant from a long line of chiefs and must overcome all odds to prove her destiny.
The story takes place in the little town of Whangara, which is surrounded by tradition and mythology. The locals of Whangara belief that their ancestors came to New Zealand on a canoe. One man Paikea got thrown overboard but got carried back to shore on the back of a whale.
The main character Pai, lives with her grandparents Koro and Flowers. Her mum and twin brother died when Pai was born and her father left to go overseas. This leads Koro in search for a male heir and Pai fighting to be accepted as the rightful heir.
The film has a good message behind it and I thought it was unique and made the story more interesting the way they combined the outcome with the whale tale. Parts of the story were very deep and emotional and other parts were high-spirited.
The setting was in New Zealand and the camera gives the viewer a good view of their beaches and their village. I thought that the setting was appropriate and well detailed especially the wood carved meetinghouse. I thought the music had cultural significance.
The characters were good and the actors were very believable but I think that Keisha Castle-Hughes (Pai) did an even better job. Her character was very emotional and would have been really tough to play but she plays her part so well.
All in all this movie is definitely worth watching, it's a realistic and emotional plot that all ages can enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: BEST MOVIE EVER
Review: This is by far the best movie I have seen in my life. I am 25 years old and have seen a variety of movies. Today, good movies are hard to find and great movies are even harder. Luckily, Whale Rider has a wonderful story and great acting. I highly recommend this movie for all ages. I just loved it!!
Rating:
Summary: Speechless
Review: I find my self coming out of a movie theater every once in a while speechless and only once in the last ten or so years crying and this movie is the one that did both.
If you are to see one film in a theater this year, make this one it. Maybe every one will stand up and applaud too, like in the theater I saw it at.
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