80
The New York Times by A.O. Scott
Wickedly absorbing.
What are people saying?
What are critics saying?
88
Philadelphia Inquirer by Carrie Rickey
The rhythms of Whale Rider are hypnotic as the ebb tide, haunting as the song of the humpback sea mammal, bracing as the ocean spray. It's a movie that rewards the patient viewer.
88
Caro gives the fablesque story -- based on a 1,000-year-old Maori legend -- both a contemporary and timeless quality, anchored by newcomer Castle-Hughes' powerful and haunting performance.
75
There is magic here, enough to make Whale Rider worthy of the audience-choice awards it has earned at film festivals worldwide.
90
Washington Post by Desson Thomson
Evokes its spirituality with deft strokes and wonderful humor.
80
Dallas Observer by Gregory Weinkauf
Once in a while a film comes along that is as sound, smart, sweet and significant as can be, and Whale Rider is such a film.
70
Though there's a formula at the film's core, Whale Rider still has the good taste to make that formula go down easy.
75
Entertainment Weekly by Lisa Schwarzbaum
An inviting international audience-pleaser.
88
One may gripe that the tale at times seems familiar, yet that familiarity is also part of the movie's power: Here's a story from halfway around the world that somehow connects with the hearts of viewers of almost any culture.
100
Chicago Sun-Times by Roger Ebert
The genius of the movie is the way is sidesteps all of the obvious cliches of the underlying story and makes itself fresh, observant, tough and genuinely moving.