Whale Rider (2003)
Average Rating: 7.7/10
Reviews Counted: 146
Fresh: 132 | Rotten: 14
An empowering and uplifting movie, with a wonderful performance by Castle-Hughes.
Average Rating: 7.6/10
Critic Reviews: 38
Fresh: 33 | Rotten: 5
An empowering and uplifting movie, with a wonderful performance by Castle-Hughes.
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Average Rating: 3.8/5
User Ratings: 48,971
Movie Info
Based on the novel of the same name by Maori writer Witi Ihimaera, Whale Rider is a unique family drama directed Niki Caro. On the eastern coast of New Zealand, the Whangara people believe their ancestor Paikea was saved from drowning by riding home on the back of a whale. The tribal group has since granted leadership positions to the first-born males, believing them to be descendants of Paikea. This tradition is challenged when a young mother dies in childbirth along with her newborn male son.
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Cast
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Rawiri Paratene
Koro -
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Cliff Curtis
Porourangi -
Rawinia Clarke
Miro -
Vicky Haughton
Nanny Flowers -
Grant Roa
Uncle Rawiri -
Taungaroa Emile
Dog -
Tammy Davis
Willie -
Tahei Simpson
Miss Parata -
Elizabeth Skeen
Rehua -
Roi Taimana
Rewi -
Mana Taumaunu
Hemi -
Tyronne White
Jake -
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Whale Rider Trailer & Photos
All Critics (149) | Top Critics (38) | Fresh (132) | Rotten (14) | DVD (24)
Newcomer Castle-Hughes' unaffected, confident turn makes it credible our heroine might retain her determination and self-worth despite serial setbacks.
The filmmaker knows how to seduce an audience without making it feel had. When a movie's this likable, it would take a very tough crowd not to be pleased.
Niki Caro roots her characters in a landscape equal parts mundane and boundless, incorporates tantalising sea photography and Lisa's Gerrard's ambient soundtrack, and lifts off into a sublime, Elysian ending.
Top CriticThe most effective and moving female empowerment movie in awhile.
[The story] is so simple that the audience gets ahead of it from the beginning.
The film is closer to a feminist tract. And, like all propaganda, it wants to do all of your thinking for you.
both an effective snapshot of the challenges which modernity brings to indigenous cultures, and a neat illustration of the power of myths to adapt.
Excellent to watch and discuss as a family.
This is what a children's film should be like.
The movie's story is a sometimes clumsy but gradually involving coming-of-age story about courage, sexism, past customs vs. contemporary social values and a community and family at odds within themselves.
The third act -- where all our predictions come true -- has a quiet dignity and, although it moves from A to B as expected, how it gets there is surprisingly mysterious.
"Whale Rider" is a mystical, gentle movie that goes beyond the boundaries of the usual coming-of-age film.
I can honestly say that there is not a single plot point or character arc depicted here that I have not seen a thousand times before.
...an uncommonly intelligent, well-crafted movie that -- despite the curious PG-13 rating -- parents shouldn't hesitate to see with their kids.
The climactic revelation, when it comes, is something so ambitious that I never would have dreamed it would work convincingly. But it does.
I was captivated and had intermittent tears in my eyes throughout this touching tale, although I would have ended it differently.
Encapsulates the grace and beauty of international cinema.
No se queda en la mera descripción antropológica; es ante todo una fascinante historia sobre el coraje, la auto confianza, los vínculos familiares, las tradiciones...
Stirring story of Maori culture
The key to "Whale Rider's" appeal is that the film doesn't force an opinion upon its viewers
Young Keisha Castle-Hughes is a Down Under wonder in the lead as Pai, a spunky little Maori girl who could.
'Niki Caro's striking visual images match her elegant, understated prose creating an uplifting story.'
The movie is smart with its storytelling and delivers several powerful scenes.
Audience Reviews for Whale Rider
Super Reviewer
Though the film brims with authenticity, it is almost too authentic. There are voice overs explaining the culture in which the film is set, but I spent some of the film lost about the relationship between the protagonist and the legend she's supposed to fulfill. The patriarchal structure of the family provides grounding to the story, and the interactions between the characters are interesting, but the grand metaphysical puzzle that dominates this film isn't clear to one who is unfamiliar with the film's cultural backdrop.
Overall, I liked Whale Rider, but I don't think I fully got it.
Super Reviewer
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Movie: ID: 10105 Title: Whale Rider Release Date: 2003-06-06 00:00:00.0 MPAA: 3 Status: 1
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Foreign Titles
- Pai, la légende des baleines (FR)
