Popular reviews

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  Review by TrundleTheGreat ★★★★

  Come to think of it Ghost Rider didn’t even ride a ghost

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  Review by Darren Carver-Balsiger ★★★½

  Whale Rider is a humble film, a small story with a big heart. It shows Māori culture as part of contemporary New Zealand, specificially in regards to patriarchy and authority. Yet it goes beyond that too. It is a film of grief and resentment, centering on an almost unwanted child having to prove herself. Whale Rider is the sort of cinema worth showing to people of any age, because it presents simple themes and struggles in a very digestible and meaningful way. It has ideas around balancing tradition and modernity, as well as the personal and emotional growth that both adults and children need to learn in order to discover self-worth. Crucially the film's biggest arc belongs to a grandfather…

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  Review by ✨Angelica Jade Bastién🔮 ★★★★ 1

  The feminine is always unruly in patriarchal spaces. This film is so warm, sweet, and moving.

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  Review by Robert Hayes ★★★★

  On one level, this is a Disney-adjacent coming-of-age tale about a young girl finding her place and purpose. On a deeper, and very connected, level it's also about the struggle that traditional cultures face in trying to keep a sense of vitality in modern times that can alienate and leave people feeling adrift. I wasn't quite sure where this was going to go at first, but I did like the inspiring way it ended. Keisha Castle-Hughes in particular was quite good, entirely deserving of the nomination she received back in 2004.

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  Review by 🦇rosie🦇 ★★★★

  i thought this was going to be fun, why am i sobbing

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  Review by 🐱Andrew Chrzanowski🐱 ★★★★ 5

  ☆"My name is Paikea Apirana, and I come from a long line of chiefs stretching all the way back to the Whale Rider."☆

  The first film I'll watch in May for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (some movies will be tangentially-related, or indigenous and not American people, or just featuring these cultures in some significant way) is Independent Spirit Award winner for Best Foreign Film Whale Rider, the 2002 coming-of-age drama shot on location in Whangara, New Zealand. Featuring Maori actors and based on the novel of the same name by Witi Ihimaera, this acclaimed sensitive film has been on my watchlist for a long time.

  Keisha Castle-Hughes -- who was for a time the youngest ever Oscar…

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  Review by Esteban Gonzalez ★★½ 4

  “We were waiting for the firstborn of the new generation, for the descendant of the whale rider. For the boy who would be chief.”

  This New Zealand coming of age film about a young girl from the Whangara tribe struggling to find her place in this traditionally patriarch society, opens with tragedy. A woman dies giving birth to twins, and only the sister survives. She is the one narrating this event while introducing us to her tribe's culture and saying what a huge disappointment this was for her grandfather who was expecting the first born son to become the tribe chief. Her father, Porourangi (Cliff Curtis), is heartbroken and against her grandfather's wishes he doesn't assume the responsibility of becoming…

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  Review by Edgar Cochran ✝️ ★★★★½

  It is a very rare event to stumble upon a film that manages to be so pervasively universal and emotionally empathetic. The film sells itself in its covers and publicity as an allegorical film, maybe even a family/fantasy feature; opens as a metaphor through an ancient legend that pays respect to the tribal traditions of New Zealand; transcendently evolves into a parable about the power of love, family, perseverance, and respect; and closes with an unprecedented epic fashion that modern cinema is rarely afforded. What an impeccable film! What powerful revelations!

  1) The opening tale speaks of a legendary whale rider named Paikea who escaped death approximately 1000 years ago when his canoe capsized by riding to shore on the…

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  Review by Ian Fastert ★★★ 2

  This review may contain spoilers. I can handle the truth.

  I'm disappointed.

  There is no whale riding until the last 15 minutes.

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  Review by Matt ★★★ 2

  The most emotional I've been watching whales fight for their lives since they knocked Belgium out of Euro 2016.

  Chugs and splutters along hinting at making greater points about gender inequality in Maori culture without doing much else, but its powered almost entirely by the film debut of a ferociously talented (then) 11 year old girl in Keisha Castle-Hughes, who was absolutely astonishing.

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  Review by Ragnar ★★★½

  Grade: GOOD (3.5 out of 5)

  Some of the most memorable movies are able to completely transport its viewers to another time and another culture. Whale Rider is able to accomplish this feat.

  The primary drawback to the film is that its singular focus becomes tired and predictable, but the film is saved by the irresistible charm of Keisha Castle-Hughes and unyielding stubbornness of Rawiri Paratene. These two performances feel completely believable and add a sense of authenticity of an engrossing story.

  Whale Rider is the reason director Niki Caro has been chosen to direct the live-action Mulan. Watching young Paikea believe in herself when few others would and finding her way in the world was inspiring.

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  Review by Abby Russell ★★★★★

  This is the only movie about a precocious child that I like. Well this and Matilda, I guess. Also Annie. Ok this is the only non-musical movie about a precocious child I like. Wait Matilda’s not a musical fuck