 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Free Willy
- Review Date: June 16, 2004
- PG
- Genre: Family and Kids
- 1993
Common Sense Media says
A wayward boy befriends a moody killer whale.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this movie is farfetched, but it's also very enjoyable. Plot complications (like insurance fraud) may be a little complex for many younger viewers. But kids, particularly animal lovers, will want to see this.
What's the story?
In FREE WILLY, 12-year-old street kid Jesse (Jason James Richter) is caught by police after joining his buddies in spray-painting a marine amusement park. With the blessing of a new foster dad (Michael Madsen), Jesse must work at the place and clean up the damage. There he meets an unlikely fellow rebel: Willy, an ill-tempered killer whale, netted from nearby Pacific coastal waters. Jesse befriends the moody animal, and secretly trains Willy to do tricks. The park's owner, seeing a chance to profit, has Jesse and Willy perform for customers, but Willy, aggravated by the crowds, doesn't cooperate. Management sabotages Willy's tank, to collect on an accidental-death insurance policy. Jesse finds out and rallies some fellow employees and his law-and-order foster family. In an exciting predawn mission they "free Willy" into the open sea.
Is it any good?
Free Willy's plot is predictable, none-too-original, and the title gives away the end. But FREE WILLY works swimmingly, thanks to well paced, rousing direction and a fine ensemble cast, led by the very good child actor Richter. Even with its excessive ecological propaganda, the script buoys up with surprisingly credible bonding between the alienated delinquent and a penned-up creature who, like King Kong or E.T., isn't bad; he just wants to go home. It's a cheerable, feel-good moment when the father joins his adopted son in the finale.
Longtime screen villain Michael Ironside plays the standard Hollywood-issue evil businessman, and parents should be aware of the animal-liberation indoctrination in the premise. At least the filmmakers followed their own preaching, and campaigned for the freeing of Keiko, the actual killer whale who stands in for an animatronic Willy in many scenes.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about orca biology and behavior -- you might follow up with some online whale research together.
There's also plenty of save the whales stumping, which might excite any budding activists.
Talk about right and wrong? Is it okay for them to do whatever it takes to save Willy?
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- Teens & kids
Kid, 9 years old
December 13, 2009
AGE
bleh..
kind a boring
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Teen, 17 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
i'll always love it
i first saw free willy at a frends house when i was really little, and ever since wenever we visited i always wanted to watch it...i love animals and especially sea creatures, so this is a definate for me, but even ppl who dont really think about animals will luv the movie, especially kids! its great i love it!
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Kid, 11 years old
April 16, 2010
AGE
Perfect for kids, teens, and adults!
this is the best movie ever!!! i like the part when the good guys break through the gate!
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Kid, 8 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
It Made me CRY:(
Free Willy was so sad. It made me cry. It was about a boy who befriended a killer whale. I gave it a 5 star because it was very touching and sad. But if you watch it be shure to cry! :) :(
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Kid, 11 years old
June 4, 2010
AGE
Free Willy,My Review
I love tihs movie,i saw it in school for having a school party at the end of school.Anyway, I recomend this movie to everyone.I like the ending part of the movie. I wont tell you anything about the movie,so you will have to see it your self.
What other families should know:
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Kid, 12 years old
December 12, 2009
AGE
a good story
a good story but i found the movie a bit boring.
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Parent of 2 and 4 year old
November 29, 2010
AGE
too much unnecessary raw facts of life
The main character has been abandoned by his mother. My 5-year-old did not need to know that mothers sometime abandon kids who need to live on the streets. Running from the police, breaking in, spray painting: all not behaviors that a child should see. I'm just overwhelmed by producer's stupidity in thinking: Let's show something bad and then tell them it's bad so that they can learn what is good.
What other families should know:
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Kid, 9 years old
September 1, 2009
AGE
its ok....
might be too upsetting for little ones though
What other families should know:
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| Topics: | friendship, ocean creatures, wild animals |
| Studio: | Warner Bros. |
| Director: | Simon Wincer |
| Cast: | Jason James Richter, Lori Petty, Michael Madsen |
| Genre: | Family and Kids |
| Run time: | 112 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | January 1, 1993 |
| DVD release date: | January 1, 2000 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
| MPAA explanation: | emotional intensity |
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