Free Willy: Dedicated to Jonathon Aaron Zeichner

Don't worry, I have a reasoning behind this review.

See, I know this person by the name of Jonathon Aaron Zeichner, who for months, maybe even years now has requested that I review the film Free Willy. I always took it as a joke because that is the kind of man this person is. But I felt that I would be a hypocrite if I ignored his request because that is not the critic I want to be. So here is my Free Willy review dedicated to Mr. Zeichner. You're Welcome My Friend.

The famous scene in Free Willy (when Willy finally makes it into the free sea by jumping over Jesse and a pile of rocks)) has to be one of the most spoofed shots of the 1990's. Released in 1993, the film may not have been a critical success, but it certainly captured the heart of many kids growing up in this time. I was one of them. Now as a nineteen year old from a critical perspective, it's hard for me to review a film like this. As just a film, it's bland plot is somewhat forgettable, but as an experience growing up, it certainly earns its sentimental value.

The plot itself revolves around a young punk named Jesse, who gets caught vandalizing a marina (of course he picks a marina otherwise there would be no story here, right?) He has been on the run since his mother abandoned him six years before. As a punishment, he must work in the marina to pay of his debt, when soon becoming best friends with an oversized whale named Willy. The two form an interesting friendship that instead of being silly, it's quite delicate. The message is very simple which is a good thing. There is always someone you can turn to.

Jesse tries to get Willy ready for a competition but Willy cannot perform effectively in front of an audience so the owners plan to kill the whale for insurance money. It is up to Jesse and his friends to set the whale free. Like any Disney film, it is obvious where the film is going to end. All the bad guys will get their comeuppance while the good guys always win. The film is predictable and corny as hell, but for a kid, this is a mild cinematic treasure.

I cannot give this film a rating because it wouldn't be fair to it. I want to remember this film as it was, as a treat for my days as a young child just waiting to find more films to see, and eventually more to review.