Free Willy (1993)

This film follows Jesse a boy who is first seen in a gang but then moves into foster care. The story starts with Jesse going into a fun park and vandalising it with his friend. However, he gets caught by the police. He gets taken into foster care where he lives with the very kind Greenwoods. During this period, Jesse has to work to clean the tank of and Orca called Willy. He creates a bond with willy which makes them inseparable. As the story progresses they develop this bond as Willy saves Jesse’s life and Jesse helps Willy to be free.

I enjoyed this movie as it showed morals of friendship, hope and trust, however, the storyline was weak and for the most part unenjoyable. I liked the bond between Jesse and Willy but the other characters were mainly a bit boring. It was also a little sketchy but that may just be the time frame of the piece. The film won 7 awards and had two nominations. Jason James Richter won the Best Youth Actor Leading Role in a Motion Picture Drama for the Young actor awards in 1993. I understand why because his connection with Willy was incredible and his wild-child demeanour is outstanding. It is amazing to see the contrast between him when with willy or a harmonica and when he is with his case worker or foster parents as he tries to work out his feelings of loss. The director Simon Wincer also directed The Phantom in 1996 which is very different from free willy as it is about a Superhero. The music in the film was good as it often showed whether the character was sad or happy e.g. harmonica was bluesy and end piece showed resolution, the film won awards for this and I understand why.

I would recommend this film to anyone who wants light-hearted action, but I don’t think it is good for anything apart from light relief. I’d give it a 7/10 but I still think it’s a good movie.by the police. He gets taken into foster care where he lives with the very kind Greenwoods. During this period, Jesse has to work to clean the tank of and Orca called Willy. He creates a bond with willy which makes them inseparable. As the story progresses they develop this bond as Willy saves Jesse’s life and Jesse helps Willy to be free.

I enjoyed this movie as it showed morals of friendship, hope and trust, however, the storyline was weak and for the most part unenjoyable. I liked the bond between Jesse and Willy but the other characters were mainly a bit boring. It was also a little sketchy but that may just be the time frame of the piece. The film won 7 awards and had two nominations. Jason James Richter won the Best Youth Actor Leading Role in a Motion Picture Drama for the Young actor awards in 1993. I understand why because his connection with Willy was incredible and his wild-child demeanour is outstanding. It is amazing to see the contrast between him when with willy or a harmonica and when he is with his case worker or foster parents as he tries to work out his feelings of loss. The director Simon Wincer also directed The Phantom in 1996 which is very different from free willy as it is about a Superhero. The music in the film was good as it often showed whether the character was sad or happy e.g. harmonica was bluesy and end piece showed resolution, the film won awards for this and I understand why.

I would recommend this film to anyone who wants light-hearted action, but I don’t think it is good for anything apart from light relief. I’d give it a 7/10 but I still think it’s a good movie.