Humaira Grant It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

Sameer Callahan It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

Mandeep Tyson The acting in this movie is really good.

Zandra The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

Ezekiel At first glance, Whale Rider seems to be just another PC flick affirming girls' ability to do or be anything that guys can do or be. The Maori setting gives it an exotic edge that many films in that category often lack; and it also provides a bit of distance from our own society that makes it seem a little less in-your-face than other formulaic battle-of-the-sexes PC stories. The cultural separation also makes it easier to accept the characters' actions and words more plausibly authentic than in other stories in that genre that are set in our own familiar settings whose characters feel more contrived and unnatural. So it is a clear notch above other stories aimed at shattering sexual discrimination. But in the end, it still occupies that formulaic PC niche.

japrice-26876 The film Whale Rider is based in New Zealand. It stars a young girls named Pai who believes she will be the next chief. She technically cannot inherit the leadership because she is female. Her grandfather, Koro, later forms a strong bond with Pai, but he still condemns her and blames her for mishaps within the tribe. Koro eventually teaches a school of boy, hoping to find a new leader. The boy shows signs of a good leader and fighter demonstrating alpha male skills. He teaches them how to use fighting sticks. This tradition is strictly reserved for males. However, Pai's nanny tells her that her second son had won many tournaments in his youth, so Pai secretly learns from him. As she is learning to use the stick she wants to still watch her grandfather teach and one day he finds her getting lessons from one of the boys who is being taught by him and he is furious. Pai was always determined to prove to Koro that she is meant to be the chief. She never let Koro fully get to her. Even though Koro never showed signs of true love and affection to her. Even when Pai finds his whale tooth necklace that none of the other boys in town could do when he gave them the task of finding the tooth he threw into the middle of the deep ocean. Or when Pai writes her school speech for him and he misses the recital. But, eventually Koro opens his eyes and sees that Pai is meant to be chief. He responds immediately to Pai with acceptance and love. The film builds a global perspective by showing the viewer how to love, care, and keep composure while times are not in your favor. I would strongly recommend this film to a teacher or student.

Elinor This was a very interesting film, and one that I can not relate to other international films, since it was so unique. The main character Paikea was by far my favorite in the film, because she proved her grandpa that she was able to do the same things that the other boys were able to do, and yet was more capable. Paikea's grandfather in the film was not very astonished with Paikea, and would always seem to be degrading her, but towards the end of the film when none of the other boys were able to retrieve the whale tooth necklace, Paikea was the one to swim to the bottom of the ocean and find it, and he became more considerate. Seeing how the grandfather acted in the film will make it seem like he was always disappointed in Paikea, and doesn't show so much emotional feelings around her, but I wouldn't say that. I think the grandfather saw more in Paikea, that he could not see, but once he saw what Paikea was capable of he immediately became more attached. I liked how the whales were a big part of Paikea's culture as well as her ancestors. Overall I would give this film a 4/5 stars, because even though it was a great movie, it did have some flaws. Many times things were not very clear and a bit confusing at some parts in the movie.

SnoopyStyle Paikea Apirana (Keisha Castle-Hughes) lost her mother during her twin brother's birth. She lost both her mother and twin brother. Her father Porourangi (Cliff Curtis) runs away in grief. Her grandfather Koro is left to raise Paikea despite blaming her for the tragedy. Koro hopes to pass the traditional leadership to Porourangi but he leaves for Germany to do his art. He has a pregnant girlfriend there. Traditionally, the Whangara people comes from the first Paikea who arrived on the back of a whale. From then one, chiefs are first born male direct descendants of Paikea. Koro opposes any attempts by little Paikea to be in anything other than a traditional female role. Koro tries to train the village boys and keep Paikea out.This is a traditional underdog girl trying to be a leader in a man's world. Cliff Curtis is the movie star. Keisha Castle-Hughes is the endearing newcomer. Rawiri Paratene is the key. He's the villain but he cannot be so simple. His struggles have to be relateable. He's battling the end of a way of life. It has a beautiful magical ending.