Unfortunately there's not as much whale riding in this movie as I'd hoped. You would think there would be for a movie that titled it self "Whale Rider". But no. Instead it's a movie about a whinny little 12 year old girl who desperately seeks approval of her grandfather on his last legs as chief. Chief? The leader of a small community of people who seems to be living great without a NEW leader. Don't really know what these people do for a living but they just exist.

Apparently this movie takes place near New Zealand (Where LOTR was made) and everything looks really grand. Oh yeah and the little girl whines, cries and gets all teary eyed. Not sure why though!