Whale Rider Reviews

Excellent to watch and discuss as a family.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5

This is what a children's film should be like.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/4

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.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5

Newcomer Castle-Hughes' unaffected, confident turn makes it credible our heroine might retain her determination and self-worth despite serial setbacks.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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"Whale Rider" is a mystical, gentle movie that goes beyond the boundaries of the usual coming-of-age film.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/4

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.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5

...an uncommonly intelligent, well-crafted movie that -- despite the curious PG-13 rating -- parents shouldn't hesitate to see with their kids.

Full Review | Original Score: B+

The climactic revelation, when it comes, is something so ambitious that I never would have dreamed it would work convincingly. But it does.

Full Review | Original Score: B+

I was captivated and had intermittent tears in my eyes throughout this touching tale, although I would have ended it differently.

Full Review | Original Score: 7/10

Encapsulates the grace and beauty of international cinema.

Full Review | Original Score: 5/5

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...

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Stirring story of Maori culture

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The key to "Whale Rider's" appeal is that the film doesn't force an opinion upon its viewers

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/4

Young Keisha Castle-Hughes is a Down Under wonder in the lead as Pai, a spunky little Maori girl who could.

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'Niki Caro's striking visual images match her elegant, understated prose creating an uplifting story.'

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/4

The movie is smart with its storytelling and delivers several powerful scenes.

Full Review | Original Score: A+

Like a breath of fresh South Pacific air, director Caro combines classic themes with a little-seen cultural perspective to come up with an uplifting crowd-pleaser.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5