Verdict: A whale of a tale.

By ELEANOR RINGEL GILLESPIE
Cox News Service

Ever since the "Lord of the Rings" cycle began, New Zealand has been better known as a place where movies are made, not a place that makes movies. However, "Whale Rider," a vivid and ultimately magical film, is New Zealand to its core. It was funded there and shot there; the director is a New Zealander, as is the entire cast, which includes many members of the Maori people.

Based on a book by Maori author Witi Ihimaera, the story is built around an ancient Maori legend. Centuries ago, their ancestor, Paikea, arrived in New Zealand on the back of a whale.

"Whale Rider" begins -- as do a disquieting number of child-centric stories -- with the death of a mother. Protagonist Pai's (Keisha Castle-Hughes) mother dies giving birth to her and her twin brother, who also dies. Pai's grandfather, Koro (Rawiri Paratene), the leader of their tribe, quickly makes it clear he cares more about his dead grandson than his live granddaughter. "A girl is no use to me," he says. That's because, ever since Paikea climbed off his whale, Koro's tribe has been led by his family's eldest son. However, his own son (Cliff Curtis) has rejected his inherited role and left for Europe to be an artist. Baby Pai is left behind, to be raised by Koro and his shrewd, patient wife (Muzzi Loffredo).

A dozen years later, Pai is everything a leader should be -- bright, resourceful, capable, unafraid and fascinated by her tribal heritage. She's also a girl, and that makes everything else beside the point. Ignoring the true heir under his nose, Koro gathers the village's oldest sons and teaches them tribal lore, from chants to martial arts, so he can choose a new leader. But Pai is not to be deterred and, as the title implies, her destiny arrives from the sea.

Director Niki Caro first worked to earn the tribal elders' respect and cooperation before shooting a single frame. Thus, much of the movie's appeal is derived from its observations of the small fishing village where it was filmed.

Still, Pai's quest is the heart of the movie. As did "Bend It Like Beckham," "Whale Rider" pulls off its girl-power message without coming off as predictable or self-righteous. Like "Billy Eliot," the film accepts and promotes the fluidity of traditional gender roles. Like "Lord of the Rings" it showcases the rugged beauty of its setting. Paratene makes a most convincing patriarch. Capturing Koro's bullheadness, as well as his decency, he shows us a man who loves his granddaughter yet is stubbornly blind to her potential.

There's also strong work by Curtis, whom American audiences may know from movies like "Training Day" and "Blow." But the find, of course, is Castle-Hughes, who had never acted before being cast in "Whale Rider." She has a remarkable screen presence -- forthright, expressive, engaging. With her scrawny, dark-eyed beauty and full mane of hair, she sometimes evokes Jennifer Beals' younger sister. It's worth noting that she was suggested to Caro by the same casting director who launched Anna Paquin's career in "The Piano."

"Whale Rider" has won audience-favorite awards at festivals around the world -- from Toronto to Sundance to San Francisco. It's easy to see why. The movie combines a stirring underdog tale with characters we care about, plus an exotic culture and setting.

Besides, Pai makes Rocky Balboa look like a wuss.