How someone could have thought that titling a film Free Willy wouldn't raise more than a few impudent sniggers, I don't know, but yet it happened and the result was a successful 'kid frees animal' story that took up where Flipper left off, spawning two sequels, as well as a number of similar films, Andre and a big screen version incarnation of Flipper himself. In the days when Michael Jackson didn't have any number of accusations and Martin Bashir documentaries hanging over him, having him pen the theme tune was undoubtedly something of a coup for the producers, although Will You Be There (which, in a possibly Freudian slip, I originally typed as Willy You Be There) is Jackson doing his gentle, world anthem type thing, the sappy antidote to a writer who used to be edgy and inventive. Still, it's more memorable than any of the other entries, particularly from 3T made up of Jackson's relatives and the truly awful NKOTB - the group formerly known as New Kids on the Block who, ironically, became old very quickly.
Although there are half a dozen songs, Basil Poledouris gets a solid half of the album's running time. Poledouris isn't exactly renowned for his scoring of kids' films, but Free Willy is a likeable enough effort, even if the twinkling synths (similar to his score to Wind) become just a touch tiresome after a while, not to say a little naff. The main theme is pleasant enough, but is just a bit too cute for its own good, the result is that most of the score has a somewhat saccharine feel until the Farewell Suite where some of Poledouris' Hunt for Red October synths and a little tension is injected, albeit in preparation for the heart warning finale as Willy is finally freed - or at least freed to appear in the sequel.
I don't usually make it a habit to review sequel albums alongside the original, but since there is only ten minutes of score on the CD, there isn't a great deal to say about it. Unlike the original's reasonably even mix of songs, the sequel has eight songs (including one reprise) and just three score tracks, but in fairness the new music doesn't actually amount to a great deal, largely retreading the same mixture of touchy feely and a little animal kingdom awe and wonder. The songs, once again including Michael Jackson, 3T and others, are the same kind of family friendly pop with trite lyrics and melody. I was somewhat amused by the fatuous request to call a freephone number to help save Keiko (the orca that portrays Willy in the films), which seems just a tad rich given how much money the film likely made. I can only hope that the contribution made by the producers was substantial, although I remain a little cynical.
Not exactly classic efforts from Poledouris, but pleasing and tuneful enough. The new age synth sounds of Wind sound less convincing with the more saccharine melodic material presented here. Wind always remained quite serious and the lighter moments were simply playful and propulsive, but here can sound somewhat heavy handed at times. However, the first score is worth picking up and if found at a bargain price, the sequel is a little more of the same.
Free Willy 2 can be obtained here.
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Free Willy
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Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home
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