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Free Willy
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Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
Find all by Warner Home Video
Directed By: Simon Wincer
Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Picture Format: Array
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Theatrical Release: July 16, 1993
Average Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
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Starring: Keiko (II), Jason James Richter, Lori Petty, Jayne Atkinson, August Schellenberg
Some of us will never understand why this boy-and-his-whale tale became the hit family film of 1993 and one of the bestselling videos of all time. But it is easy to see how clever marketing and a tear- jerking story could touch the hearts of kids and parents the world over, especially because the endangered Orca whale named Willy is such a majestic creature. The story couldn't be more conventional--it's like Old Yeller and The Black Stallion with a big sea mammal--but as the boy who comes to Willy's aid against the whale's exploitative owner, young Jason James Richter gives an appealing performance with which children can readily identify. After two sequels and an animated television series, this popular film also had a happy real-life ending: Keiko the whale (who plays Willy) recovered from failing health and was gradually trained to survive outside of captivity. --Jeff Shannon
User Submitted Free Willy Reviews
August 30, 2008
DECENT FAMILY FILM! IF YOU LIKE FLIPPER.........
Well, I can finally say I saw 'Free Willy'! Family friendly film with a simple story. It's easy to watch and it will keep the kids happy. I bought the triple feature with all 3 films for under $10.00, it's hard to go wrong for that price! The DVD set has very good transfers for all 3 films.
November 12, 2007
Why Only 4 Stars
This movie was really good. One of my favorite movies. So why only give 4 stars? Well, here are the facts. They made the movie on freeing a captive orca right? Because they should be free. But in real life, they actually go out and capture Keiko to make the this movie. I think that is stupid. Good movie though.
June 12, 2007
Great Family Flim!
This is a great adventure movie that children and adults alike would Love!
May 24, 2007
Great Movie!
I like this movie very much. It is one of my favorite videos. The movie was very well made. The character Jesse in my opinion is pretty accurate for a foster child. Many of the same behaviors are in "real" foster kids. I like how he comes to peace in the end from his past and how he accepts his new parents. I like how clean the movie was and it was touching!
January 12, 2007
free willy
This movie was perfect for my three year old who is obsessed with Shamu. It is one of the few family friendly movies that small children can enjoy.
January 9, 2007
Fantastic service and product
The DVD looked like new and was mailed out very quick. Thank you very much for such great service and product.
December 14, 2006
Wonderful family enterainment!!!
`Free Willy' will stand the tests of time as probably my all time favorite children's movie. Telling the story of friendship and freedom, `Free Willy' opens with a young Orca whale (Keiko) being singled out and captured by a group of `bad' men. The next scene shows our young star Jesse (Jason James Richter) also being captured, this time by police officers. These two unlikely friends are both placed in `captivity', Willy at the local theme park and Jesse in a foster home where he's instructed to clean up the graffiti he and a friend sprayed on Willy's observation tank.
Newcomer Jason James Richter does an okay job as the hellion Jesse, a young boy whose mother abandoned him, but he overworks his bad boy image a little too much at times and comes off forced...but I feel that's a bit harsh to say since the kids so young...but then again so wasn't Haley Joel Osment and he killed in `The Sixth Sense'. Regardless of the somewhat bad acting at times, the film is redeemed every time Keiko is on the screen. Willy is truly the star of the show.
As Jesse learns to find faith and hope in Willy his relationships with those around him begins to strengthen, but it's not until Willy needs everyone's help that they all realize how much they need each other. There are some good supporting performances, most recognizable would be `Kill Bill's' very own Michael Madsen who plays Glen Greenwood, the husband half of the couple who wish to adopt Jesse. Jayne Atkinson does a fine job as Glen's wife Annie, and August Schellenberg and Lori Petty serve well as the two trainers who take Jesse under their wing. This is truly a film that the entire family can enjoy, one that everyone can watch again and again. `Free Willy' will always be a memorable childhood memory for me.
November 10, 2006
Review of Free Willy
This was a gift for my Granddaughter and she loves it. I am very pleased
March 24, 2006
"SAL-IN-NA, A-UN, I-ISIS" ~ "Things Can Happen"
'Free Willy' is simply one of the best family films you'll ever see, one that is equally as captivating for adults as it is for children. The story centers around a troubled teenager named Jesse (Jason James Richter) who has just moved into yet another foster care home in the Seattle area of the Pacific Northwest.
When mischevious Jesse is accused of helping to deface the local aquatic center he is forced to clean up the mess his friends left behind. He soon forms an unexpected bond of friendship with Willy, a young Orca whale in the parks water show and is offered the opportunity to help train and care for the baby Orca.
For the first time in his life things are going well for Jesse. That is until the greedy owner of the aquatic center tries to kill the whale in order to collect the insurance policy money provided for in the event of Willy's death.
Can Jesse convince the other trainers and his foster parents that Willy is in danger and needs their help? As Randolph (August Schellenberg), the wise Indian handyman and newfound spiritual mentor of Jesse says, "Sometimes Things Happen."
Sensational film with loads of excitement that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the climatic ending.
Say it with me: SAL-IN-NA, A-UN, I-ISIS!
January 17, 2006
A Free Willy Review
I love Free Willy. It wwas definetly my favorite movie of all times!! I wish i could be in that movie myself. I think who ever thought of it was a brillient idea!!! Why Couldn't I be in the Movie!!!!
Lia age: 10 Holland P.A.
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