Not nearly as good as the original, but a serviceable sequel all the same, especially
for younger kids. This time, Jesse (Jason James Richter) and his family (foster parents,
Michael Madsen and Jayne Atkinson and surly half brother, Francis Capra) must rescue Willy
and his killer whale family from a dangerous oil spill off the coast of the Pacific
Northwest. The movie isn't painful, just ploddingly predictable. Plus, the relationship
between boy and whale, so credibly developed in the first film, has now been elevated to
Lassie/Timmy level. When Jesse gets in trouble, you half-expect Madsen to say, "Look,
honey. Wllly's trying to tell us something!" The orcas, of course, remain as awesome as
ever (whether we're watching the real animal or a cannily constructed facsimile.) And the
human cast deserves credit for their deadpan conviction. Timmy would be proud; so would
Lassie.
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