Free Willy 3: The Rescue (1997)

Finally, a movie that conveys a fresh, new message: hunting whales to extinction is wrong. Now, I heard there was some movie made a few years ago with these same characters and a duplicate message, but that's all a blur because it was made so many years ago. In 1993, the first Free Willy was in theaters, but in movie years, 1993 is as far away as the Stone Age. Therefore, this movie's theme remains original, enlightening, and inspiring. In 1986, a Star Trek movie may have also revolved around a "save the whales" proclamation; again, that was eons ago, so who remembers?

Well, anyone with enough self-pity to admit that he/she is part of the fan base for these movies either chooses not to remember or does not care how many times this theme has been over-used. Ofcourse, they could also be big, fat idiots who honestly don't remember. That's likely the case.

The ten year-old in this movie is a real role model; he's afraid to stand up to his mom, and he still needs her to dress him, undress him, and tie his shoes. He can't even take his shoes off by himself! Does he have some learning disability that we don't know about?

If you're the type who likes to experience pain, then this movie ought to be on your hot list.

Fmovies: The first FREE WILLY was very good. The second was not as good. The third, however, just plain bores. Expect nothing new and spectacular here because it's the same as the other two, with the exception of the weak dialogue and Jesse becoming more intelligent. The producers seemed to have been stuck with the same old ideas from the first film only to make another sequel. Nothing is more fun in the world than saving endangered species from sudden harm, which has always been the environmental message in FREE WILLY, but still, this series is in drastic need of a tune-up, FAST! Too many of you have given this lackluster sequel a big "10"! Wise up, folks! Nothing is THAT perfect in the real world!

This was a VERY entertaining family film. I had not seen either previous Willy flics, yet I was into it from beginning to end (along with my 4 year old daughter).

So why the low rating?

My hunch is people judge family films by adult criteria. Which is totally absurd, since we all know children's movies today are far superior than 95% of the so called, adult films coming out (which ironically enough, seem made for audiences with a teenager's intelligence).

In short: ignore the low rating.

Free Willy 3: The Rescue fmovies. FREE WILLY was one of the best "Feel-good" movies ever made! It isn't often that a movie makes you both Sad and happy at the same time and makes you want to stand up and cheer at the ending, but FREE WILLY was one of the few movies that did it. Willy and Jesse met again in FREE WILLY 2 and it was great to see them together again, but unfortunately the enterprising premise (involving an oil spill in the ocean endangering Willy and his Family) turned out to be a bit too slow-paced and in some cases too hokey (like the scene where Jesse and Willy re-unite again after the first time Jesse plays the harmonica...it could have been thought out better). Also the film spent too much time dealing with the issues of Jesse's new Step-brother, Elvis. However, the suspenseful last half-hour of the movie was great. Which brings us to Part 3 which is actually almost as good as the first film and a lot better than part 2. The storyline (involving the wrongful and illegal hunting of Whales and Jesse & Randolph's quest to stop a crew of nasty hunters) is very well written and emotionally charged like the first movie. I wish this film was marketed and advertised better because it really deserves to be seen! It is emotional and heartfelt like the magic of the first FREE WILLY and in the end you will stand up and cheer. It's cool to see what has become of Jesse and how he has grown up and it is good to know that Jesse and Randolph will always stick together to do what is right! If you passed on this because you were afraid that it was more of the same, guess again! It is another wonderful story that deserves to be enjoyed again and again! Check it out!!!

I am going to start off by saying I really like the first two Free Willy movies. I would hardly call them the best movies ever, but they are very nice movies and I think underrated. This sequel is a worthy one. While there is a predictable story, some weak spots in the script and a lacklustre ending Free Willy 3:The Rescue is a nice and worthy sequel, that could have been so much worse.

Flaws aside, Free Willy 3 does have some stunning cinematography, and I loved the scene when Randolph throws the oranges in the water. I also loved the scenes between Nikki and Willy, and the one when Nikki gives birth which was brilliantly done. The score is absolutely beautiful, the pacing is brisk and the direction is amiable. And the characters are appealing especially Willy and Nikki, while Jesse and Max are great characters and the father is a sympathetic figure even for the villain of the piece, except I don't see him as a proper villain, just someone who means well but doesn't know exactly what he wants. The acting is good too, Jason James Richter and Vincent Berry are very likable, August Schellenberg makes a welcome return as Randolph and Patrick Kalpatrick does a great job with his character.

All in all, a pleasant family film. 7/10 Bethany Cox

free willy 3: the rescue is a good movie, i first watched this when the movie came out in 1997, Jesse is back, now older (16 years old) Old enough to drive and is now working for Randolph. Jesse meets willy yet again and is shocked to find out that he now has a girlfriend called Nicki, Jesse also is shocked to know that Willy is to become a father. A young boy named Max is going fish hunted with his dad, he meets Jesse and Jesse tells him that Willy is no harm to anyone, Max tells his father at the end not to kill willy as he is to a friend to the while, Max's father doesn't listen to Max and then admits that willy is just a friendly whale. I give this movie 10 out of 10. I hope there will be a Free Willy 4.