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efilmcritic.com - : It's fluff, and predictable fluff at that, but it basically works. The mix of live and animatronic whales is pretty seamless (unlike the later sequels), so it looks like we're seeing the real deal all the time (except for a poorly done CGI climax in which the whale jumps over the boy). The affection between the boy and the whale seems genuine, and the relatationship between the boy and the foster parents seems fairly realistic as well. more...
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3/5
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movies.go.com - : This film shows the need for family, and manages to take a street kid and make him much more understanding and responsible without bathing the audience in unnecessary sentimentalism. It also gives us a realistic view of what these kids go through without mountains of profanity and violence. more...
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A-
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rogerebert.suntimes.com - : ''Free Willy'' has a kind of gentle sweetness that I found very appealing. It is about change - about a young boy discovering himself - and about adventure. And the ''save the whales'' subplot makes it more than just an adventure, or a caper. The screenplay is written with a certain intelligence; the relationship between Jesse and his foster parents, for example, has the ring of truth. more...
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3.5/
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Critic Reviews
