Review of Whale Rider (2003) by Rose O — 27 Jan 2011

This movie represents the Maori Tribe traditions and settings gloriously. Using New Zealand?s landscape gives it that much more depiction and realistic credit.

These people were sent here thousands of years ago by their ancestor, which was said that he arrived safely after a canoe accident by riding a whale back to shore. Thus the tradition came that the first born male shall be declared the chief.

The grandfather in the story is the current Chief and creates the mood of stubbornness and how the tribe stays true to its tradition by not wanting his granddaughter to take the position as chieftain, for it is always the place of the fist born son to do so (which in this case is a fail, due to Pai?s twin brother dying at birth in the beginning of the movie). Being the elder, he is set in his ways to find someone else to take the place of her, and trains the first born sons of the tribe and teaches them the authentic traditions and rituals, which is mastered in the film.

The main character Pai, is raised by her grandparents (being the chief) and is loved by the whole tribe, but wants nothing more than to be recognized by her grandfather, as he only scorns her and mourns the lose of one who was going to bring better times to the tribe. She demonstrates great ambition as well as courage to show she is fully capable of taking on the responsibility, by proving herself many times and finally showing the tribe she is the chosen one, when she rides the whale. This movie shows empowerment and demolishes that it has to be based on gender or stature. The only downside is the movie is predictable. It goes from A to B, and adds moments of mystical embrace, but its plot is like many other movies I have seen before.

It does however depict the traditions of these people?s world well and is definitely a must watch for the family to show that no matter who we are, what we make of ourselves comes from within.