Whale Rider
Newmarket Films | Release Date: June 6, 2003
5.6
USER SCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 131 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
71
Mixed:
14
Negative:
46
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
3
LucyS.Sep 19, 2005
Very dull and over dramatic.
1 of 1 users found this helpful
6
ryancarroll88Sep 28, 2010
Keisha Castle-Hughes put all other child actors to shame in her dramatization of Paikea, a girl whose destiny as the leader of her people is constantly subverted by the traditional ideas of her grandfather. However, as awe-inspiring andKeisha Castle-Hughes put all other child actors to shame in her dramatization of Paikea, a girl whose destiny as the leader of her people is constantly subverted by the traditional ideas of her grandfather. However, as awe-inspiring and inspirational as the story to "Whale Rider" is, director Niki Caro goes to unnecessary lengths to make sure you know why the movie was made, which detracts from the overall experience.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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10
NorbertO.Sep 7, 2005
I have never seen one and the same movie more than twice in the theatre before. But Whale Rider changed my mind. It really is a magnificent masterpiece and sureley made for the whole family. I watched it 7 times in the cinema and i am into I have never seen one and the same movie more than twice in the theatre before. But Whale Rider changed my mind. It really is a magnificent masterpiece and sureley made for the whole family. I watched it 7 times in the cinema and i am into it still today. Niki Caro was so lucky to find and choose this natural Keisha Castle Hughes. Very, very impressive the whole story and the actors and actresses. Everybody who really understand the plot of Whale Rider can't give less then 9 rating...!… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful
3
MichaelG.Feb 15, 2010
Mediocre at best. Dull, lifeless acting by all but Keisha Castle-Hughes, borderline amateur. Overused character archetypes, up to its ankles in cliches and has more plot holes then a Steven Seagal action flick. It tries desperately to be a Mediocre at best. Dull, lifeless acting by all but Keisha Castle-Hughes, borderline amateur. Overused character archetypes, up to its ankles in cliches and has more plot holes then a Steven Seagal action flick. It tries desperately to be a feel good movie but by the end I was scooping my eyeballs out with a spoon, because it was far more entertaining.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful
10
IsaacI.May 19, 2007
A very moving and spiritual film, I feel sorry for the people who gave it a 0 or a 2, they are probably used to the killing and shooting in movies and not entitled to understand a movie which deserves a standing ovation.
0 of 1 users found this helpful
10
AnonymousApr 26, 2009
I absolutely loved this movie, and thought it was a great drama. I cried my eyes out towards the end. So to you, "retroboy" who says this movie was "crap" and that those of us who enjoyed it need to get a life, I say that you need to use I absolutely loved this movie, and thought it was a great drama. I cried my eyes out towards the end. So to you, "retroboy" who says this movie was "crap" and that those of us who enjoyed it need to get a life, I say that you need to use more punctuation and learn to spell, because it looks like a ten-year-old wrote your review.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful
0
Patty.P.Oct 17, 2004
This movie sucked, it was boring and it dragged on for ages. dont rent or buy this movie. i give it 0 out of 10, it was crap.
0 of 1 users found this helpful
2
FredC.Dec 23, 2005
A waste of time. Tedious and muddled up. Had a hard time staying awake for this one.
0 of 1 users found this helpful
2
marcusm.Dec 8, 2005
I thaught it was a very drie film althaugh it did have it purks and funny moments. you need to understand New Zealends history and how they believe they came to find Zew Zealend. If you are into the sad droopy and old style film this is for you.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
mariebOct 3, 2008
This movie was outstanding , it was very inspriring and spiritual . I would watch it again . The movie was very moving and touched my heart as i cried my eyes out :) sry to hear that the others didnt like it . But thats there opinion .
0 of 0 users found this helpful
0
SamS.Nov 6, 2005
Tries WAY to hard to be meaninful and is just boring, repititive and predictable. Stupid and annoying.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
RitaP.Feb 4, 2006
An amazing film. If you have any doubts about watching this film given some of the dubious reviews given by users on this site, then just look at the comments of the users who gave it low scores. These people struggle to complete a coherent An amazing film. If you have any doubts about watching this film given some of the dubious reviews given by users on this site, then just look at the comments of the users who gave it low scores. These people struggle to complete a coherent sentence, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that they struggled to enjoy a truly beautiful film. Perhaps they should stick to big momma's house and big momma's house 2 and leave gems like whale rider for the rest of us.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
ChrisH.Sep 2, 2007
This movie gets top marks for purpose. If you know nothing of the legacy of colonialism upon indigenous cultures around the world then you would be smart to pick up a book or two and start reading. If you are not up for that then simply This movie gets top marks for purpose. If you know nothing of the legacy of colonialism upon indigenous cultures around the world then you would be smart to pick up a book or two and start reading. If you are not up for that then simply watch Whale Rider for its beautiful story of personal determination and community and love. The gorgeous cinematography will help you along.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
0
retroboyNov 7, 2007
This was the the worst6 movie ever i hate it it sucked to the people who liked it i say get a life! very predictable and slow + the ending sucked i hat this boring crap movie a i hope whale rider 2 crashes and bern's THIS MOVIE WAS CRAP.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
0
TeddyPApr 23, 2008
Dull, no real deep meaning to it. Unbelievably boring; once of the worst films I have ever seen. Trying to create something meaningful and failing miserably. Absoloute mess. If you want to see a good film, i suggest the Shawshank Redemption.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
LauraRMay 28, 2008
Moving. Spiritual. Stirring. Breathtaking. An utterly refreshing film for which there is no comparison.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
MichelleSep 23, 2008
Whale Rider was a very meaningful film putting yourself in the mind of a determined young girl. Why do people rate zero? It's because they don't appreciate what they have and keeping themselves in their tiny shells. Never be a Whale Rider was a very meaningful film putting yourself in the mind of a determined young girl. Why do people rate zero? It's because they don't appreciate what they have and keeping themselves in their tiny shells. Never be a person like that.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
TakaM.Dec 21, 2003
This movie was kind of slow paced, but the performance by Castle-Hughes won me over. Just looking at the cover, and the title, 'whale rider,' I though this would be another free willy, but I was way off. By the end of the film, I This movie was kind of slow paced, but the performance by Castle-Hughes won me over. Just looking at the cover, and the title, 'whale rider,' I though this would be another free willy, but I was way off. By the end of the film, I felt like I'd been at the beach for a couple of hours. go watch it.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
JamesP.Jan 13, 2006
Some ofthe negative comments here beggar belief. I can only suggest that those who failed to appreciate this film stick to their normal diet of mind-sapping video game adaptations and worthless smut-fests. After all, we would not want them Some ofthe negative comments here beggar belief. I can only suggest that those who failed to appreciate this film stick to their normal diet of mind-sapping video game adaptations and worthless smut-fests. After all, we would not want them do damage their poor little brains by doing something as radical as thinking. As a New Zealander, can I please ask that they never be given a passport so that they can never come over here and weary us with their small-minded opinions. Everyone else welcome of course.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
LouiseJun 13, 2006
This movies is the best! I watched it in my english class and my whole class bawled their eyes out. Everyone with unkind comments - if you don't have something nice to say, don't say it at all.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
0
TuahineP.Nov 27, 2007
I really didn't like the movie because originally it was about a boy not a girl and if you take a good look at the movie its kind of a disgrace to maori kind.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
7
OfficialNov 10, 2013
"Whale Rider" has an emotional and powerful story. The acting of young Keisha Castle-Hughes was great, in fact, the acting of the entire cast was fantastic. The only problem with this film is that, because the film doesn't give you much"Whale Rider" has an emotional and powerful story. The acting of young Keisha Castle-Hughes was great, in fact, the acting of the entire cast was fantastic. The only problem with this film is that, because the film doesn't give you much background of New Zealand cultures, and if you don't know much about it, you will be slightly puzzled in some places.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
8
richmond1210Mar 2, 2013
Whale Rider is a film about a young girl named Paikea who struggles to be taken seriously by her grandfather. It is a highly emotional and gripping story which has you at the edge of your seat from start to finish. It is set in Whandara, NewWhale Rider is a film about a young girl named Paikea who struggles to be taken seriously by her grandfather. It is a highly emotional and gripping story which has you at the edge of your seat from start to finish. It is set in Whandara, New Zealand. It is based on the legend of Paikea and it shows us how the Maori tradition works and operates. The main character, Keisha Castle-Hughes, stars as Paikea and wants to become the leader of the Maori tribe. She plays a very convincing role and looks like she badly wants to be the leader of the Maori tribe. Rawiri Paratene plays Paikea’s grandfather and is unsure if Paikea is really capable of being a leader, but is shown throughout the story that she is indeed worthy. The soundtrack used in the movie keeps us on the edge of our seat and the camera work really helps the viewer get an idea of the Maori culture and the way that the characters are feeling. This movie teaches us that anyone, regardless of their age or gender, can be a leader. The storyline can sometimes be quite challenging to follow for someone that does not know much about the Maori culture, but in conclusion, Whale Rider is a great movie for any age group. It has powerful morals, fantastic actors and a great storyline.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
0
sil3nt_nickMar 24, 2013
Painful to sit through.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
0
ericisadogMar 27, 2014
This movie is a bubbling cauldron of whale urine. The acting is putrid, the story nauseating, and the cinematography mundane, unless you like lots of underwater shots of people slowly drifting around with voiceovers playing in the background.This movie is a bubbling cauldron of whale urine. The acting is putrid, the story nauseating, and the cinematography mundane, unless you like lots of underwater shots of people slowly drifting around with voiceovers playing in the background. In fact, I made an account specifically so I could come and issue the warning that Roger Ebert and his fellow critics wouldn't. STAY AWAY!… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
oniscoJan 28, 2018
A moving film in its simplicity. The girl's trajectory gets transposed into myth and the theme of personal predestination and individual need for recognition is channeled into a vivid image of leadership and sense of communal identity lostA moving film in its simplicity. The girl's trajectory gets transposed into myth and the theme of personal predestination and individual need for recognition is channeled into a vivid image of leadership and sense of communal identity lost and found again.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
1
MoinServusFeb 7, 2020
Ich finde der Film enthält ein bisschen zu viel Gesang und ist nicht sonderlich spannend. Mir hat er leider nicht gefallen.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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0
Pornfan1337Feb 7, 2020
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This film was the biggest crap I've ever seen, the acting art of the actors was inhumanly bad underground. The story was full of prejudices against the Maorie. In addition, the story was boring. The cinematography was also poorly chosen. Unless you like characters playing around in the background with a cheap voiceover. It hurt my heart and eyes to see this film it would have been even more entertaining if I had spooned my eyes out.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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