Monday, July 14, 2003

Critic's corner with Jen Noble

Whale Rider, rated PG-13 - In the mood for a childrens movie that touches the heart, mind, and soul? Have you already seen Finding Nemo about six million times, and your kids are begging for a different sea story? Do you have a vague interest in the Maori culture and New Zealand? Or do you just want to see a good independent film? Well, if you said yes to any of the above questions... you should DEFINITELY see Whale Rider.

(Is it just me, or did the paragraph above sound like the introduction from a book review on Reading Rainbow?)

This is good film-making. While the story doesn't have any chase sequences or bomb explosion, it does contain a lot of genuine characterization. You like these people, and when they make mistakes, you honestly feel pain. No one's a sketch, and I appreciate that in a film. If you're a Lisa Gerrard fan (hi Kim!), you'll probably dig the music as well. Plus, you'll learn something about the Maori tribe in New Zealand, something that my fellow movie-goers, Anna and Bernie, appreciated. (I think.)



Does that look like appreciation? I hope so.

Whale Rider is even better with a scoop of straciatella and chocolate mousse afterwards. But if you don't have a gelato stand nearby, I feel for ya.