Blast from the Past: Free Willy (1993)

[Guestx]

Last night I was drunk and was looking around on Netflix for something to watch and ran across Free Willy. I saw the movie once, way back when it first came out, but remembered almost nothing about it sans the basic concept and the shot where Willy jumps over the rocks.

So I was like, fuck it, let me watch Free Willy. It should be interesting to revisit it after all these years.

I have to say, I did kind of enjoy it. I was thinking that as I watched it my memory of the film might come back, but no, not really, it was pretty much like watching it for the first time. I'd say it's a fairly enjoyable and heartwarming family film that doubles as a "save the whales" public service announcement. In fact, there's even a phone number at the end of the movie that you can call to donate to the actual Save The Whales campaign and, according to the IMDB trivia, so many people called that the film resulted in $20 million in donations.

I also learned that--holy fucking shit!--there are THREE sequels to this motherfucker! I had no idea. The most recent one stars Bindi Irwin.

Who here remembers Free Willy? Thoughts on it? Any fond childhood memories of watching this film?

 

[Cool Hand Luke]

never seen it. prolly won't ever. just not my thing.

 

[Guestx]

never seen it. prolly won't ever. just not my thing.

Thanks for letting us know.

 

[bandicoot]

That kid was dope.

 

[Guestx]

That kid was dope.

He actually was a pretty good actor, not really annoying like a lot of child actors are.

 

[iThrillhouse]

Best part was Michael fucjing Madsen as the loving foster father.... toooo funny

 

[Guestx]

Best part was Michael fucjing Madsen as the loving foster father.... toooo funny

Oh yeah, I was actually surprised by the cast.

Michael Madsen, Michael Ironside and Lori Petty all show up in this thing. I did not expect all that.

 

[cmw43]

The real whale got released but ended up dying within a year.

12:01AM GMT 14 Dec 2003

Keiko, the killer whale that starred in the film Free Willy, died yesterday, a year after being released into the wild where it remained dependent on humans until the end.

The 35ft-long, six-ton orca became too ill to eat and died of pneumonia, bringing to a sad conclusion a five-year, $20 million (£12.5 million) attempt to help Keiko to adapt to life back at sea.

Dane Richards, Keiko's animal care specialist, announced the whale's death in a Norwegian fjord yesterday, saying that disease had struck the 27-year-old orca quickly.

"Two days ago he began to be a bit lethargic and wouldn't accept food. We suspect he came down with a bit of pneumonia. We checked his respiration rate and it was a little irregular. He wasn't doing too well. Early in the evening, he passed away," he said.

Keiko became the centre of worldwide attention after the release of Free Willy in 1993. In the film, a killer whale is coaxed by a young boy to jump over a sea park wall to freedom. Reality proved more difficult.

 

[gspieler]

There were four Free Willy's? Man, that orca can't seem to keep himself out of trouble.

 

[bortt]

Best part was Michael fucjing Madsen as the loving foster father.... toooo funny

All I remember about this movie was him saying "get your hands off my boy" and then filling the scene with uppercuts.

No family film is complete without dad punching out the bad guy.

 

[Adamant]

I really enjoyed it. The second one was really good too. Although the third one had the same kid I've only seen it once and it was meh. But the first two are definitely the good ones. I used to watch them all the time back in the day. Haven't seen either in a few years but I do like them quite a lot.

 

[Guestx]

I really enjoyed it. The second one was really good too. Although the third one had the same kid I've only seen it once and it was meh. But the first two are definitely the good ones. I used to watch them all the time back in the day. Haven't seen either in a few years but I do like them quite a lot.

I've got all the sequels downloading. I'm curious to see what they're all about and to see how the series evolves.

I still can't believe there are four of those motherfuckers.

 

[CrimsonFan]

I've got all the sequels downloading. I'm curious to see what they're all about and to see how the series evolves.

I still can't believe there are four of those motherfuckers.

Man you'e really getting into free Willy lol

That first pic you posted should be your new avatar

Do it

 

[ThinkGreen]

Definitely watched this movie as a kid. Always think of watching it when I see it on Netflix but I imagine it’s pretty corny.

 

[Guestx]

Man you'e really getting into free Willy lol

That first pic you posted should be your new avatar

Do it

LOL, when I start a series and like the first one I always get curious about the rest of the series. Even if it sucks, it can be interesting the see the quality change from film to film.

 

[grey poupon]

never seen it. prolly won't ever. just not my thing.

Thank God you let us know. I have been anxiously waiting your response all day and you finally let the world know how you felt. I will now be able to sleep easy tonight knowing that Free Willy isn’t your thing.

 

[MMouse]

gooooooo willllllleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

 

[bortt]

LOL, when I start a series and like the first one I always get curious about the rest of the series. Even if it sucks, it can be interesting the see the quality change from film to film.

If nothing else, bad sequels tend to have a certain quality of charming ridiculousness going for them. Like The Neverending Story sequels. Or The 3 Ninjas? Remember High Noon at Mega Mountain featuring Hulk Hogan? Maybe I'll give in and watch Home Alone 6 tonight...

What, in your opinion, is the best Disney movie sequel? Aladdin and the King of Thieves was pretty solid.

 

[Thrawn33]

What, in your opinion, is the best Disney movie sequel? Aladdin and the King of Thieves was pretty solid.

Lilo and Stitch...all of them and the TV series.

Evil Stitch is GOAT animated Disney character

 

[Almighty Angus]

Was born in 91, have probably seen 1&2 50 times each lmao