Movie Review: "Whale Rider" 08/29/03

This is a movie review for "Whale Rider", released August 29, 2003. I watched this via my Roku.





Trailer

Cast

Keisha Castle-Hughes              Paikea
Rawiri Paratene                        Koro

{Others involved but these are the main ones I wish to mention.}




Plot

There is a legend about how the Whangara people came to be in New Zealand: a whale rider named Paikea rode the great whale, came to the place, and established the people there. His descendents are ruled by the first-born male of the leader. When the newest generation brings a still-born male son and a living daughter, the world is thrown into chaos for those that believe in the old ways. The leader named Koro tells his son that he needs to have another son but, as the son lost both his own son and his wife during the delivery process, he leaves his daughter to the care of his parents. Before she had died, the wife named her daughter Paikea like the great whale rider, which Koro refused to accept because that was a male's name. As Pai grows, Koro finds that he loves her more but she could never inherit the place of the leader, or can she? Pai struggles to find her place in the village and tries to let her grandfather know what she desires to do with her life. Will she succeed or will she step down from potentially inheriting the leadership position because of her gender?






Rating Criteria

0/5 – No value whatsoever. Absolute waste of time.
1/5 – Barely worth any time.
2/5 – Pathetic but has a bit of something to hold the attention a little.
3/5 – Somewhat kept the attention but could definitely have used more.
4/5 – Good, but not awe-strikingly amazing. Could have maybe used a bit more to the movie.
5/5 – Go see it! Wonderful movie all around. – characters, music, theme, story line, etc.



4/5 - It was hard to see Paikea struggling to win the acceptance of her grandfather, but she persevered. I respect this girl a lot and think all should see how amazing women can be. Gender roles might still be present in the mindset of many older people but that doesn't mean you have to stick to them. If you are a guy that likes to wear makeup, go for it. If you are a gal that likes to mosh pit, go for it. Don't let your gender define who you are or what you can do for your life.



That's my movie review! Thanks for reading. More reviews are on the way.


~ Gracie Mae DeLunac

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