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Summary: One of my all-time favorite movies! BRILLIANT! EPIC!
Review: Beautiful and touching, this movie possesses a divine grace that will bring anyone to tears simply because it's magical. I felt empowered and amazing watching this. It's beautiful and perfect. I am so sad that this girl didn't win best actress, she had a believable performance. The whole time I was thinking, "This girl's not acting the part, she's living it." Beautiful and epic, toss out your other movies and buy this wonderful gem!!I can't say much more, simply marvelous and anyone who doesn't think so is probably not human. Anyone who has emotions will melt over this film! 5/5 stars! Brilliant!
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Summary: A heartfelt story
Review: It is always interesting to get a slice of indigenous life, and Whale Rider offers a compelling look into Maori culture in New Zealand. Keisha Castle-Hughes stands out as Pai, a teenage girl determined to take part in the coming-of-age rituals which she feels is her birth right. The only problem is that she is a girl and has to get past her rigid Grandfather in order to do so. The movie tries to balance modern-day realities against age-old customs, while offering an optimistic view of Maori life. It builds slowly to its dramatic end. Pai is dealt a cruel blow when her grandfather refuses to train her in the ancient rituals. Her grandfather is the spiritual leader of the village and hasn't been able to overcome the fact that neither of his sons have been able to give him a grandson. She had chosen to stay in the village rather than go off to Europe with her father. Pai's grandmother offers some solace, but ultimately Pai has to take matters into her own hands when a pod of whales is left stranded on the beach. She had learned the rituals from her uncle, who sees in Pai what her grandfather is unable to. Pai has a natural calling for whales and feels it was her fault that the whales beached themselves. The scenes are evocatively handled and one sees much of the beauty in Maori culture with very little of the harsh realities. Niki Caro gives the movie the feeling of a parable, which should play well with young audiences.
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Summary: My daughter's favorite movie--and one of mine!!
Review: I got this film for my daughter but found it so enchanting I've watched it several times with her, and even by myself. The performances are inspired and the story is both mythical and timely. Its emotional impact is enormous--though I weep when I watch it, it is neither sad nor tragic. In fact it's one of the most uplifting movies I can remember seeing in ages. There is nothing saccharine or manipulative about it. The music really adds to and enhances the story--it is both haunting and evocative. The combination of all the elements make this film unforgettable. The most astounding part is how the story is told with the simplicity and directness of a documentary so that when you realize it is fictional you are amazed at the end of the film. 'Whale Rider' is really a movie you will want to own and watch many times. It is also a perfect movie for a family with older children (its realism could be a bit frightening for a younger child). If you wondered how a young girl of 14 got an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress in her acting debut, you will no longer wonder after you see this film--she's luminous. I think this film is a masterpiece and will become a classic--can't recommend it too highly.
Rating:
Summary: Good Movie
Review: "Whale Rider" was a nice surprise. It doesn't cater to the lower nature at all. It's clean and fresh. I found the parts where the grandfather was being mean to the girl hard to watch. The whole movie was interesting, but seeing that was like watching violence (for me). So, I'd say....a good beginning, an uncomfortable middle section, and a good happy ending. The acting is superb. The little girl is excellent. And the whole movie showed people as they really are.
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Summary: Splendid in Every Way
Review: I've not been moved to write a review here before but this movie is quite something. I've seen it twice and may go again. Wonderful, genuinely interesting story, great performances, especially by Keisha Castle-Hughes, and smart visual storytelling. Another person on this board mentioned "waterworks"-- boy, no kidding! Impossible to contain. Niki Coro has a gift for dealing with intense emotion in an honest way. This is a great movie.
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Summary: Charming Family Entertainment
Review: This is one of those rare movies that really qualify as "family entertainment" -- suitable for kids and grown-ups alike. It's touching without being sappy, and you learn a fair amount about the Maori culture in New Zealand as the movie unfolds. Definitely worth watching, and worth buying if you have youngsters in your household.
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Summary: "...I come from a long line of chiefs."
Review: In 2002, Niki Caro directed and co-wrote the screenplay for the endearing New Zealand film "Whale Rider", which was based upon novel of the same name written by Witi Ihimaera and published in New Zealand in 1987. (In Maori, the title is "Te Kaieke Tohora".) The story is about a young Maori girl named Paikea 'Pai' Apirana (Keisha Castle-Hughes), who is a direct descendent of the Maori chief Paikea who arrived at Whangara, New Zealand on the back of a whale many generations ago. From that time forward, his first-born male descendents were each named after him and became chiefs; that is, until Paikea Apirana's parents gave birth to twins, a boy and a girl, as their first-born children. Sadly, the twin's mother died during childbirth, as did the boy; but the girl survived and was named Paikea. Disgraced, her father, Porourangi (Cliff Curtis), leaves for Europe, so Pai's grandparents raise her instead. Her grandfather, Koro Apirana (Rawiri Paratene), views Pai as a bad omen for the tribe and embarks on finding a Maori boy worthy of becoming the next chief since he can't accept the possibility of a girl becoming chief. However, Pai's grandmother, Nanny Flowers (Vicky Haughton), loves Pai very much and encourages her to learn the ways of a chief in spite of Koro's objections. "Whale Rider" was first released at the Toronto Film Festival in September, 2002, where it won the "People's Choice Award". As it was shown at various independent film festivals that followed, including the 2003 Sundance Film Festival, it continued to win awards and was finally released for general cinema in May, 2003 in Australia and in the U.S. one month later. Shortly thereafter, the Keisha Castle-Hughes received serious attention from film critics. She was rewarded for her performance in "Whale Rider" with an Oscar nomination for Best Actress. Though she did not win the Oscar, she will hopefully continue to develop her acting abilities and continue to be a superb member of her generation of actors and actresses. For its superb acting, wonderful story and incredible cinematography, I rate "Whale Rider" with a resounding 5 out of 5 stars. Other memorable characters in the film include Uncle Rawiri (Grant Roa), Hemi (Mana Taumaunu) and Shilo (Rachel House). Memorable scenes include Pai trying to clandestinely learn from Koro, Koro taking pupils out on a canoe, Pai finding the necklace, Pai reciting her history at school and the whales. I highly recommend this film to everyone.
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Summary: So interesting!
Review: This movie was so interesting. I watched it more than once. There are so many wonderful points to be learned in this film, but the most important of all is to be true to who you are. Pai, the main character, is convinced that she is to be the next leader, and sets out to become just that. It isn't an easy road, which I am glad to see, because it mirrors true life, which is never that easy. However, she stays true to herself, and overcomes a big obstacle to achieve her goal. The setting, and the film itself, are beautiful.
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Summary: Great movie, great actress
Review: This is a great movie. Liked it a lot. Keisha Castle-Hughes was outstanding. A worthy oscar performance. She will definitely scorch the silver screen in Star Wars III.
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Summary: An Important Movie for Girls, Great Movie for All
Review: In Pai's family, the first born child is always a boy. That boy always grows up to be chief of their Maori tribe. And then, along came Pai, a tradition smashing girl, just when the tribe and its traditions face the most danger of disappearing. With her grandmother and aunt as strong female role models, and her uncle encouraging her along the way, Pai finds the strength to challenge tradition and save it all at once. While her grandfather toils to find a chief among the village's boys, Pai secretly learns the chants and rituals, and passes the tests required of a Maori leader. But her grandfather refuses to see that his successor could be a girl, even if that girl is his own granddaughter. Filmed in a remote Maori village in New Zealand, Whale Rider treats its subject with respect. Many of the lead actors are Maori and most, if not all, of its extras are natives of the village. Keisha Castle-Hughes is astounding as Pai, the modern day Whale Rider and first female chief of her tribe. The movie absolutely could not have been made without her. Although rated PG-13, this is a great movie for family viewing. Girls will draw strength from Pai, and boys will learn from her. So, why is it PG-13? I'm convinced the ratings people are crazy. They'll let any grossly inappropriate joke sneak by as long as its a Disney movie, but a movie as innocent as Whale Rider gets the ol' 13 treatment. The film contains no nudity (or even near nudity), no curse words, and no violence. There are two scenes that could potentially cause a parent concern. First, while training the village boys to become chief, Pai's grandfather Koro tells them that if they don't recite a chant correctly, their private parts will fall off (he uses a nickname for Richard when referring to the part), so they should hang on while reciting to keep that from happening. The second is the climax scene that gives the film it's name. Pai is in danger, and especially tenderhearted children may worry. It's an intensely emotional moment, and may be a little much for very young viewers. My sweet little six year old daughter was concerned, but not overly so, and it all turns out alright in the end. If you have any question about whether or not this movie would be appropriate for your family, I recommend you view it first. Just don't reject it outright because of the rating. It's too good to miss!
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