FREE WILLY 2: THE ADVENTURE HOME

US, 1995, 95 minutes, Colour.
Jesse James Richter, Francis Capra, Mary Kate Schellhardt, August Schellenberg, Michael Madsen, Jayne Atkinson, Mykelti Williamson, Elizabeth Peña, John Tenney, M. Emmett Walsh, John Considine.
Directed by Dwight Little.

While the surprise and freshness of the original can't be repeated, this sequel is very enjoyable. And it repeats the first story, more or less, in different guise. Jason James Richter has grown quite a bit and has settled with his foster parents. On to the scene comes an unexpected little brother who repeats the difficulties of a youngster hostile to everyone who finds affirmation in helping the whales.

And Willy is back - with his family. There are some very happy sequences of riding the whales. And there are some dangers as a giant oil spill threatens to ruin the cove and to trap the whales - as well as some greedy entrepreneurs who want to capture Willy.

As before, the location photography and the extraordinary `animatronic' whales are impressive.

Entertaining family action.

1. The impact of the first film, the characters, the young boy, the whales and their plight, the rescue?

2. Two years later, the boy getting older, his adoptive family, the unexpected discovery of a younger brother? The whales, at sea, their exploitation, the rescue?

3. Locations, the sea and its beauty, the venue for action and adventure? The score?

4. Jesse, his age, family, their care of him, his eye for the girls, his resentment of his mother abandoning him, the discovery that he had a brother, his arrival, hostility? On
holidays? Finding Willy and his family?

5. The adoptive parents, good people, their care for Jesse, talks with him? Elvis turning up, his age, talking, lies? Going on holiday? Meeting Randolph again, his work, Nadine
helping him, the whales, swimming with the whales? Elvis and his interest in the whales?

6. The oil slick, the whales being trapped, Milner, his company, his offer, the revealing of the truth and his wanting to exploit the whales and send them for exhibitions?

7. Randolph, the cure of the whale? The boys on the boat, the ability to lead the whales, the whales swimming under the burning oil, the children stranded, the search, the helicopter?

8. Jesse and his fall, riding Willy? Again under the burning water?

9. Elvis, the photo of their mother, telling Jesse that his mother regretted leaving him? The necklace, prayer – and the happy ending?