Jason James Richter, August Schellenberg, Jayne Atkinson, Mykelti Williamson and Michael Madsen reprised their respective roles.
It is directed by Dwight Little, and distributed by Warner Bros. Rating: *** out of 5.Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home is a 1995 American family film and the sequel to the 1993 film Free Willy. As family entertainment, I at least give it a fair and easy recommendation. The story is shallow, predictable, but actually quite believable, although the Jessie-Elvis brotherhood is something that can easily be removed without doing any harm to the story. I've read a trivia about the film that it uses much more animatronic whales than the first film, yet it's really hard to spot in most scenes due to the rather seamless effect. The photography is adequate, capturing on film a lively shot of its environments and, of course the whales. Still, as family entertainment, FREE WILLY 2 does just about enough for a mild recommendation. Not that the film is crowded with good guys, bad guys and beleaguered whales, but why did they actually think that this kid, annoying and a bit spoiled at some point, would deepen the film's emotional level? Why they think a kid as nearly annoying as Elvis (who's simply annoying quips are more than enough to drive you to the breaking point) would be a good way to stretch Jessie's character, I really don't know.
The story also provides him a sort-of-girlfriend (Mary Kate Schellhardt) with a deep concern for the environment (Couldn't this movie ever be more nature-friendly?) and even a little brother named Elvis (Francis Capra), who is just so.
Jessie (Jason James Richter), now grown-up, is out to save the day again. After leaving Willy (Keiko, assisted by an animatronic and CG double) from his leap of faith in the original's finale, Willy faces a new threat, this time outside the confines of a small tank. The storyline is more filled of "Save the Whales" slogans than ever before. For the record, at least its a better bargain than FLIPPER or even, not that it has any connection, JAWS: THE REVENGE. Still, for what its worth, FREE WILLY 2 is enjoyable family affair. FREE WILLY 2 is much more predictable, with a by-th-numbers storyline that might just entertain the kids and give adults a toothache from all its sweetness. If you thought the original FREE WILLY had enough "Free the Whales" slogans to match a 3-ton Orca's weight, FREE WILLY 2 is even bigger, with its environmentalist propaganda that is! In its story and characters, it lacks that certain oomph of the original, which elevated it from its predictable genre origins. Let go of your "Save The Whales" placards, allow FREE WILLY 2: THE ADVENTURE HOME do the job for you. My Take: Preachy, eco-friendly sequel, but has its moments. The kit has since returned for sale in 2014 on except it now contains information on freeing orcas and dolphins worldwide instead of news about Keiko. Making him the second oldest orca to have lived in captivity. Soon after rehabilitation, Keiko was freed in the same area in Norway where he was assumed to first be captured and eventually lived to be 29 years old. The kit only cost $24.99, and many people all over the world had donated. In addition, there is information on the "Free Willy Keiko Adoption Kit" which came with a Free Willy poster, stickers, a newsletter on how Keiko was being rehabilitated, and a replica of Jesse's whale necklace.
Bell, and Keiko's former trainer Karla Corral. It also included appearances from Jason James Richter, August Schellenberg and the Donners as well as interviews with former Oregon Coast Aquarium president Phyllis A. The VHS release included a infomercial before the movie that talks about receiving donations needed to relocate the star orca, Keiko, back to the ocean.