#johnmattson

I only saw Free Willy because my big box of random VHS tapes contained Free Willy 2 The Adventure Home. I figured this sequel would suck but decided to give it a chance by viewing the first chapter and then viewing the follow-up the way it was intended. To my surprise, I liked it more than its predecessor.

Set two years after the events of “Free Willy”, Jesse (Jason James Richter) and his adoptive parents (Michael Madsen as Glen Greenwood and Jayne Atkinson as Annie) are preparing to leave on a vacation to see Willy and his whale family. Just in time to turn Jesse’s world upside down comes his half brother Elvis (Francis Capra), coming to live with the Greenwoods due to the sudden passing of their mother.

The relationships are much more interesting in this film than in the last. Jesse is the Greenwood’s son now, so he’s no longer complaining about them wanting to get close. Instead, he's got other issues to deal with. In Free Willy, Jesse was convinced it was only a matter of time before his mom would return for him. Now she’s dead. She never came to see him but clearly, it wasn’t because she didn’t want a family. Now Jesse must deal with this knowledge and his new brother, who isn't thrilled about gaining a sibling when the cost was a parent. Next we have a bit of a romance going on between Jesse and a girl. Mary Kate Schellhardt plays Nadine, Randolph’s niece (Randolph played once again by August Schellenberg). In most children's films, any romantic plot is unnecessary. Here, it works. The actors have chemistry and some good moments together but the film never lets the sparks take over the picture.

All that's nice and all, but you’re wondering where Willy comes in. Thanks to that familiar tune on the harmonica and some nice shots of orcas in the wild, you don’t get the unease of seeing the orca being “freed” while remembering that it's being held captive. You believe the friendship being explored further. Another surprise is Willy’s floppy dorsal fin. Thanks to this obvious physical trait, you’re able to distinguish him instantly among the other whales introduced. I guess I'm applauding the animal casting?

This is not a rehash; it’s a true sequel with tender moments that are well balanced with humor and a dash of wonderment at the beauty of nature for good measure. I would rate it higher if it wasn’t for two flaws. The first is the performances. They're not very good. Jason James Richter has improved a lot, but no one here is particularly great. Even if you forgive the young actors, the deliveries prevent you from being fully immersed in the emotions, and therefore, the story. More serious is the unnecessary villain. There’s probably only about 15 minutes’ worth of the running time dedicated to this sleazy businessman that doesn’t care about anything but money. Take him out and you’ve got a much better film. You wouldn’t even have to change more than a single line or two from the truly exciting sequences of peril right before the final act.

As I popped Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home into my VCR, I thought “There’s no way this movie is going to be good, this is just a cash cow getting ready to be milked dry”. I’m pleased to say I was wrong. I say Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home is better than the first! If you’re nostalgic for the sad orca, I say check out the sequel too. (On VHS, October 27, 2015)