Amazon.co.uk Review
One of the most charming and critically acclaimed films of 2003, the New Zealand hit Whale Rider effectively combines Maori tribal tradition with the timely "girl power" of a vibrant new millennium. Despite the discouragement of her gruff and disapproving grandfather (Rawiri Paratene), who nearly disowns her because she is female and therefore traditionally disqualified from tribal leadership, 12-year-old Pai (Keisha Castle-Hughes) is convinced that she is a tribal leader and sets out to prove it.
Rather than inflate this story (from a novel by Witi Ihimaera) with artificial sentiment, writer-director Niki Caro develops very real and turbulent family relationships, intimate and yet torn by a collision between stubborn tradition and changing attitudes. The mythic whale rider--the ultimate symbol of Maori connection to nature--is also the harbinger of Pai's destiny, and the appealing Castle-Hughes gives a luminous, astonishingly powerful performance that won't leave a dry eye in the house. With its fresh take on a familiar tale, Whale Rider is definitely one from the heart. --Jeff Shannon
Customer Reviews:
A MAORI MASTERPIECE........2007-11-25
I come from Aotearoa (new zealand) and though i am from white descendents i have always felt close to Maori people. As my spiritual path has opened up over the years every time i go back to Aotearoa i feel more and more connection with Maori life, and it is so nice to see the Maori culture growing and the people softening as their faith is slowly coming back. This movie is such a beautiful representation of that spiritual growth.
If you really want to get a taste of Aotearoa and its long term inhabitants and not some Bunjy jumping package tour this movie captures the mystical calling of the land and the Maori connection with it.
You will be a better person for watching this journey.
10 out of 10.
Very moving film.......2007-06-07
Even when is a predictable film, is a beautiful one where we can see, over and over again the cultural lost of the old tribes, their problem with their lack of identity and problems with alcohol, like in other Indigenas cultures in the world once they have been touched for the white hand. Is a good reminder of the strengh of unity and the need of identity with the ancestors, with the connection with the earth, spirit and animals, the harmony in all life. Once again I had tears in my eyes, because this film remind me what we are doing with this world and the people that still have the knowledge to connect with it.
Slow, uses stereotypes and predictable.......2006-12-01
I watched this film yesterday and was a little disappointed. The story is simple enough our heroine, Paikea (Castle-Hughes) is the next in line for chiefship. However, that leaves a problem, the tribe has only accepted males as leader. The problem is compounded by the fact that Paikea's mother, together with her twin brother, dies in childbirth. Paikea's father leaves to deal with his grief and Paikea (the significance of that name is given in the introduction to the film) is brought up by her grandfather.
As she approaches her teenage years her grandfather realises that it's coming to the time that the next leader is selected. Being a traditionalist, Koro is not convinced that Paikea should even be considered. She does her best to change his mind.
The film was OK but it was slow, we know how it's going to end and Koro seemed a little stereotypical to me.
Life-affirming cinema.......2006-08-22
There are many reviews already, so I'll try and tell you my take without telling you the story: this film opens the door to Maori culture. It has a proper narrative arc AND character development. It is beautifully acted, and even for a thick-skinned cynic like me, will bring you to tears -- of joy and sadness. There are mythical elements neatly interwoven with social commentary and not one bum note or clunky intersection to be seen.
I cannot explain well enough just how wonderful this film is. I made my 7 year old daughter watch it, and she was moved also. The film works on many levels.
I recommend this film without reservation.
christine.......2006-02-20
An excellent film, unusual topic and well acted. Even the whales looked real
Thought I might have need of the subtitles to cut through the thick Maori dialect
Amazon.co.uk Review
One of the most charming and critically acclaimed films of 2003, the New Zealand hit Whale Rider effectively combines Maori tribal tradition with the timely "girl power" of a vibrant new millennium. Despite the discouragement of her gruff and disapproving grandfather (Rawiri Paratene), who nearly disowns her because she is female and therefore traditionally disqualified from tribal leadership, 12-year-old Pai (Keisha Castle-Hughes) is convinced that she is a tribal leader and sets out to prove it.
Rather than inflate this story (from a novel by Witi Ihimaera) with artificial sentiment, writer-director Niki Caro develops very real and turbulent family relationships, intimate and yet torn by a collision between stubborn tradition and changing attitudes. The mythic whale rider--the ultimate symbol of Maori connection to nature--is also the harbinger of Pai's destiny, and the appealing Castle-Hughes gives a luminous, astonishingly powerful performance that won't leave a dry eye in the house. With its fresh take on a familiar tale, Whale Rider is definitely one from the heart. --Jeff Shannon
Customer Reviews:
A MAORI MASTERPIECE........2007-11-25
I come from Aotearoa (new zealand) and though i am from white descendents i have always felt close to Maori people. As my spiritual path has opened up over the years every time i go back to Aotearoa i feel more and more connection with Maori life, and it is so nice to see the Maori culture growing and the people softening as their faith is slowly coming back. This movie is such a beautiful representation of that spiritual growth.
If you really want to get a taste of Aotearoa and its long term inhabitants and not some Bunjy jumping package tour this movie captures the mystical calling of the land and the Maori connection with it.
You will be a better person for watching this journey.
10 out of 10.
Very moving film.......2007-06-07
Even when is a predictable film, is a beautiful one where we can see, over and over again the cultural lost of the old tribes, their problem with their lack of identity and problems with alcohol, like in other Indigenas cultures in the world once they have been touched for the white hand. Is a good reminder of the strengh of unity and the need of identity with the ancestors, with the connection with the earth, spirit and animals, the harmony in all life. Once again I had tears in my eyes, because this film remind me what we are doing with this world and the people that still have the knowledge to connect with it.
Slow, uses stereotypes and predictable.......2006-12-01
I watched this film yesterday and was a little disappointed. The story is simple enough our heroine, Paikea (Castle-Hughes) is the next in line for chiefship. However, that leaves a problem, the tribe has only accepted males as leader. The problem is compounded by the fact that Paikea's mother, together with her twin brother, dies in childbirth. Paikea's father leaves to deal with his grief and Paikea (the significance of that name is given in the introduction to the film) is brought up by her grandfather.
As she approaches her teenage years her grandfather realises that it's coming to the time that the next leader is selected. Being a traditionalist, Koro is not convinced that Paikea should even be considered. She does her best to change his mind.
The film was OK but it was slow, we know how it's going to end and Koro seemed a little stereotypical to me.
Life-affirming cinema.......2006-08-22
There are many reviews already, so I'll try and tell you my take without telling you the story: this film opens the door to Maori culture. It has a proper narrative arc AND character development. It is beautifully acted, and even for a thick-skinned cynic like me, will bring you to tears -- of joy and sadness. There are mythical elements neatly interwoven with social commentary and not one bum note or clunky intersection to be seen.
I cannot explain well enough just how wonderful this film is. I made my 7 year old daughter watch it, and she was moved also. The film works on many levels.
I recommend this film without reservation.
christine.......2006-02-20
An excellent film, unusual topic and well acted. Even the whales looked real
Thought I might have need of the subtitles to cut through the thick Maori dialect
UK DVD:
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