A bit cheeky to use the Free Willy name, but this fourth (!) entry to the franchise is a pleasant surprise. It’s not the same as those prior three releases, though to be honest this one just about works on its own merits. It ends up being fairly hearty, which is impressive considering it could’ve easily have felt like very cheap knock-off. The relationship with Kirra and Gus is sweet, there’s one especially nice scene between the two around the middle. Bindi Irwin and Beau Bridges play those roles to a solid standard. The underwater special effects are poor, though the (presumed) animatronics for “Willy” do the job. The music is satisfactory too, ‘Shakuma’ by Inadiflo (Shazam coming in clutch!) is a lowkey banger. This is why I like checking out all entries to a film series, you never know whatcha gonna get (ain’t that right, Forrest!).

**Thumbs Up:** Engelbert the penguin keeps viewers somewhat sane in the midst of all the other crap this movie is made of. :thumbsup_tone2: **Thumbs Down:** The B-film budget this straight-to-video reboot of the _Free Willy_ franchise is made with is blatantly obvious - everything looks and feels cheap. The only saving grace is the beautiful South African setting. :thumbsdown_tone2::thumbsdown_tone2::thumbsdown_tone2: The orcas have hit a new low; fake CGI whales and even more fake robotic ones. :thumbsdown_tone2::thumbsdown_tone2::thumbsdown_tone2::thumbsdown_tone2::thumbsdown_tone2: **Bindi Irwin** is a terribly annoying actress, most of the time overperforming everything she does. The rest of the time she's just bland. :thumbsdown_tone2::thumbsdown_tone2::thumbsdown_tone2::thumbsdown_tone2: **Beau Bridges** is clearly trying to have a good tile, but never feels like the responsible and serious adult he is supposed to be. His silliness only works on the younger viewers, for others, it is just too much. :thumbsdown_tone2::thumbsdown_tone2::thumbsdown_tone2: Endless pointless montages and unnecessarily detailed science talk. :thumbsdown_tone2::thumbsdown_tone2::thumbsdown_tone2::thumbsdown_tone2: The filmmakers are trying to copy the plot for the original _Free Willy_ film for the sake of nostalgia, only changing the setting and the protagonist. They end up butchering the plot with the nonsensical dialogue and laughably bad story. :thumbsdown_tone2::thumbsdown_tone2::thumbsdown_tone2::thumbsdown_tone2::thumbsdown_tone2: The jokes aren't funny at all. :thumbsdown_tone2::thumbsdown_tone2::thumbsdown_tone2::thumbsdown_tone2: The villains are clichéd, stupid and nowhere near as threatening as in the earlier films. :thumbsdown_tone2::thumbsdown_tone2::thumbsdown_tone2::thumbsdown_tone2::thumbsdown_tone2: The fake whales make it imbossible for Willy and Kirra to form a bond - a pivotal element of any Willy movie. :thumbsdown_tone2::thumbsdown_tone2::thumbsdown_tone2::thumbsdown_tone2::thumbsdown_tone2: After a pointless and predictable build-up, the film moves onto a hugely dissatisfying finale. :thumbsdown_tone2::thumbsdown_tone2::thumbsdown_tone2::thumbsdown_tone2: I can't believe they substituted the iconic harmonica with that abominable horn thingy. :thumbsdown_tone2::thumbsdown_tone2::thumbsdown_tone2::thumbsdown_tone2: For the sake of everyone's sanity and Willy's soul, let's just pretend that this embarrassment doesn't exist. :thumbsdown_tone2::thumbsdown_tone2::thumbsdown_tone2::thumbsdown_tone2::thumbsdown_tone2: **Final rating: :thumbsdown_tone2::thumbsdown_tone2::thumbsdown_tone2::thumbsdown_tone2: = 2/10**

As someone who grew up watching _The Crocodile Hunter_ on Animal Planet, I was curious to see how his daughter Bindi would do in her first movie; surprisingly, she did very well, as did the rest of the cast. It's pretty by-the-numbers as animal flicks go, but, for those who love killer whales, this would be a treat. Better yet, the content was rather clean: only one profanity, and immodest dress was only occasional, though there was a bit of emotional intensity and some violence, including an accident right at the beginning that leads to an injury (nothing graphic is shown). I probably won't be watching this again, but, I enjoyed it for what it was; at least I can say I've seen it now, and can trade the DVD in at 2nd & Charles.