The original film is a fun family feature with a lovable friendly creature the world fell in love with, and this sequel isn't absolutely terrible. Basically its been two years since boy Jesse (Jason James Richter) helped Willy the killer whale (played by Keiko) to jump to freedom, and when his true mother dies, Jesse gains a half-brother with trouble-maker Elvis (Francis Capra, no relation to director Frank). While on a camping trip Jesse meets Willy again in the open water, where he has found his mother and brothers, oh, and his human Indian friend who looks after the family, Randolph (August Schellenberg). Jesse also meets and falls for Randolf's goddaughter Nadine (Mary Kate Schellhardt), and she is astonished to see Willy let Jesse ride his back. Willy and his family hit jeopardy when a large oil tanker crashes spilling its load into the water, and there is also a point when the oil catches fire, and Jesse is determined to help them. Also starring Michael Madsen as Glen, Jayne Atkinson as Annie, Forest Gump's Mykelti Williamson as Dwight, Elizabeth Peña as Kate Haley, M. Emmet Walsh as Bill Wilcox, Jon Tenney as John Milner and Paul Tuerpe as Milner's Assistant. It is surprising that most of the whales were models, because they looked quite convincing, and they are wonderful to watch. So while the story isn't very original, it is the whales that keep you hooked, and the end credits song, "Forever Young" by The Pretenders. Okay!
