Backbencher

I think Whale Rider was a pretty good movie. It is about a Maori girl from New Zealand named Paieka. The movie is based on her relationship with her grandpa. Her grandpa, Koro, is the oldest of thier village and is seen as a leader. I think the movie does a good job of showing the Maori culture, which is traditionally male dominated. Paieka, was a twin, but at birth, her mother and twin brother both died. Her grandpa was upset with this because her twin brother would have been the new leader of the village. Her grandpa was mad that she was a girl, but she wins over her grandpa during the movie. The grandpa is responsible for finding a new leader for the village and Paieka wants a chance, but because of tradition, is told she can't. She participates anyway and proves to her grandpa that she should be the new leader. I especially liked the scene when Paieka rides a whale out to sea. I think the movie does a good job of showing the Maori culture and I liked how tradition was important, but was compromised. Overall I feel this was a good movie. I think the movie did a nice job of showing the Maori culture and I feel it had a good plot to it. I think Whale Rider was a good film and was glad I saw it.