Keiko, Richter, Schellenberg, Madsen, Atkinson, and Williamson all return for a new adventure about friendship and family. Two years after setting Willy free, Jesse is still rebellious, but nothing very bad. He enjoys girls and time with his adoptive parents. Things get shaken up when he finds out his mother died and he has a half-brother named Elvis that will be staying with him for a while. They go on a camping trip and contend with sibling rivalry. Not far into the vacation, Jesse is thrilled to see Willy again. But everything is put in danger when an oil spill traps Willy and his family and endangers their habitat. Jesse leads a group to put out crooked businessmen and save his best friend. Many people did not like this one. Many people found it better than the first. The first is a typical lonely kid that becomes best friends with a non-human and saves him. This is similar, but there is more danger that adds excitement and entertainment. And the subplot with Jesse and Elvis is great too. Regardless, all Free Willy movies are great for nostalgia sake, whether you originally liked them or not. Screw those dog and chimp family movies.

3/4

I really enjoyed the first film, it was sweet and cute, and elevated to a greater level by that wonderful killer whale Keiko who played Willy. This sequel is not as good, but it is decent. I do agree the story isn't as good or as believable this time around, the script lacks sparkle and the direction isn't as clever. But it is beautifully filmed, with lovely cinematography and scenery, and the score is really pleasant. Free Willy 2 mayn't be the most fast-paced movie ever made, but it moves briskly, and the message is admirable. What makes the movie charming though is the cast, Jason James Richter is still very likable and Francis Capra is funny and natural here. Mary Kate Schellhart and Michael Madson also do nice work, however it is the orcas that steal the show, every scene with them in is utterly riveting. Overall, inferior but nice and pleasant. 7/10 Bethany Cox

The original film is a fun family feature with a lovable friendly creature the world fell in love with, and this sequel isn't absolutely terrible. Basically its been two years since boy Jesse (Jason James Richter) helped Willy the killer whale (played by Keiko) to jump to freedom, and when his true mother dies, Jesse gains a half-brother with trouble-maker Elvis (Francis Capra, no relation to director Frank). While on a camping trip Jesse meets Willy again in the open water, where he has found his mother and brothers, oh, and his human Indian friend who looks after the family, Randolph (August Schellenberg). Jesse also meets and falls for Randolf's goddaughter Nadine (Mary Kate Schellhardt),and she is astonished to see Willy let Jesse ride his back. Willy and his family hit jeopardy when a large oil tanker crashes spilling its load into the water, and there is also a point when the oil catches fire, and Jesse is determined to help them. Also starring Michael Madsen as Glen, Jayne Atkinson as Annie, Forest Gump's Mykelti Williamson as Dwight, Elizabeth Peña as Kate Haley, M. Emmet Walsh as Bill Wilcox, Jon Tenney as John Milner and Paul Tuerpe as Milner's Assistant. It is surprising that most of the whales were models, because they looked quite convincing, and they are wonderful to watch. So while the story isn't very original, it is the whales that keep you hooked, and the end credits song, "Forever Young" by The Pretenders. Okay!