Being a kid in the 90s was just the BEST!! This movie was a huge part of that. Everything about this video, from his enthusiasm to his kindness, was just so nostalgically beautiful!
I remember seeing this in theaters when it came out. I was obsessed with this movie and especially the Michael Jackson song. The 90s were a great time to be a kid.
I had an argument with someone who said everyone's favorite decade is the 80s. Thats the decade everyone loves. Then I said what about the 90s? He said the 90s was trash. Nobody would choose to go back to the 90s. I told him i was an 80s kid and a 90s kid. If i were to choose id pick the 90s over the 80s any day!
@@joeynova9896 nah was born in 82, 90’s were awesome but things started to creep in that decade on what was to come the 80’a as a kid was just amazing the cartoons, the cereals, the movies, early 90’s were good till about 94-95
@@Bryn_G_Mama_of_3 I really don't like how people assume orcas are bullies when all they're doing is living up to their roles as an apex predator. Depending on what subgroup they belong to, they have a different diet. Residents: Fish Transient: Other marine mammals Offshore: Sharks and rays
That was an excellent interview. Good direct questions and allowed the person to talk while actually listening and expanding on the conversation. Rare today.
I was 7 years old when my mom took us to go see Free Willy. I'll never forget after the movie people stayed to listen the Michael Jackson song and a lot of kids were having a ball with there parents that night. I miss the 90s
I adore the first two FW movies. As a kid I used to rewatch them a lot and were a huge part of my childhood back in the 90s. My love for Orcas were also the result of these films. RIP Keiko
I haven't seen Jason James Richter in years 😱. I was 5 and 8 years old when both Free Willy movies dropped so I feel a great kinship to both movies because I literally grew up on them 🍿🎥❤️.
Showed this to my kids a few months ago. It's still a good family movie. Not too cheesy, not a bunch of profanity, good plot, good characters and believable connections.❤
I actually did too and when I saw the movie in the theaters told my friend I would date him someday. Guess what I did. I met him at a rave club when I was 20 years old and we hit it off and dated for about 4 months. Not that Jason would probably remember since it was longer ago than I would like to accept and it was only a few months. Jason's Mom was a very wonderful lady and very sweet to me.
Orcas have always had a special place in my heart. I was lucky to see Keiko at the Oregon Coast Aquarium. Unfortunately, he wasn't performing that day, but I didn't care; 🤩I SAW KEIKO!!!!♥️♥️♥️♥️ We got some photos of him, too. The Sequel to Free Willy has always been one of my favorite films growing up.
My parents drove us from Bullhead City Arizona to the Oregon Coast Aquarium to see Keiko when we were kids. I remember all of it so well! Cherished moments
One of my favorite movies of all time!! I love Willy, Jesse, Randal, and this story of unconditional love Love from California⛰️🌲☀️🐳🩵 30 years, what a feat!
Man your the same age as me 44. I never realized that you were the same age as me when you were shooting that movie and it was one of my favourite films in my childhood. 12 or 13 years old. Wow. My mom bought me that movie free willy when i first found that movie. Thanks for reminding me that life is great to remember sometimes because I get caught up in all the negatives somedays but today im remembering some good old days. 90s gen x for sure
Free Willy was the first movie I ever watched in theaters and to this day I still love Orcas. I’ll never forget meeting Keiko when he was in Oregon. This was such an amazing interview and it’s great seeing Jason James Richter turn into a great guy. RIP Keiko you are dearly missed!
I’m crying!!!! This was my absolute favorite movie as a kid. I had orca wallpaper and carried around a heart locket necklace with my mom and Shamu in it!!!! LOL
My mom started taking me to SeaWorld in Ohio, where we live as a baby/child several times a year. I had this instant love and infatuation with orcas and wanted to-become a marine biologist. I was 8 when Free Willy was released,which was life changing for me! This movie reminds me so much of my childhood and what an amazing world it was to grow up in the 90s. Also, I am 1000% against Seaworld but back then you’re a small child and you didn’t know all the information you have now. Cannot believe it’s been 30 years.
He was my childhood crush! Amazing to see this. Thanks so much for taking the time to interview JJR and share with us. I loved Free Willy as a kid and I still follow the people who helped him retire to his Icelandic seapen. If anyone is interested, they are currently hard at work creating a Whale Sanctuary in Nova Scotia and they hope to retire whales to this place someday. Keiko started a movement and he will never be forgotten. Im so glad to hear JJR and Keiko bonded in reality. Two gentle souls.
'Free Willy 3: The Rescue' was actually the best of the three films, not many people saw it but it's well worth checking out, Ricther's performance is great.
I love this movie! I remember going to see it in theaters when I was 8 years old! I have been obsessed with Orca's since. I was very happy to see Keiko being a free whale, but I was so heartbroken when I learned that he had passed but at least just like Willy, he was free.
Wow I just mentioned this movie last week! I said “ im surprised alot of ppl dont mention free willy for the it being such a good movie”! Nice to see him🥰
Still one of the best Children movies from the 90s! We were so lucky and spoiled with so many amazing films. Hook, Home Alone, The Sandlot, Jurassic Park, Casper, Jumanji, The Secret Garden, A Little Princess, Little Giants.. I can keep going. This movie was one of my favorites simply because of my love for animals. How many of us wanted to become marine biologists after watching this? Haha.
The Free Willy franchise has always meant a lot to me and to this day, been my favorite movies. They bring me a lot of comfort and I'll be watching them until I'm old. Jason is an incredible actor and this is what got me interested in orcas when I was little. I wished more people appreciated the other two movies after the first one. (Because we do not talk about the 4th movie, it's not good lmao.)
I’m from the Middle East, and I remember watching the film at the theater when I was a teenager. When the movie ended families stood up and started singing with Michael Jackson. An experience I will never forget.
Orcas have been my favourite animal for 30yrs and these movies had a lot to do with that. I’d love to see Jesse revisited as a grown up with kids and keiko having a big family too
I’m 25 years old and this movie is 30! I was born in the late 90s but man being a kid and watching this with my parents just brings back so many memories
I remember being taken to theaters to see this when I was a 4 yr old. It was all I wanted for Christmas that year on VHS. I got it, and it was on repeat for the longest time at home😂
I’m glad that Jason James Richter is doing good and living a good life….It’s rare these days….Even for actors/celebrities that haven’t been in the spotlight for a while. I loved all the “Free Willy” films as a kid growing up and still do today at 36 years old. My favorite memory of watching “Free Willy” was when “Free Willy 2” come out on VHS and they were doing a little promotional skit with the Indian whale necklace that Randolph gives Jessie in the movie. Make a long story short, If you bought the movie when it first come out you would get the same version of that particular necklace, I’ll never forget when I got my necklace as a kid I literally thought how cool I was having the same necklace as JJR as Jessie had in the movie Lol 😂 and felt like I too was part of the “Free Willy club 😅!
This just made my day this made my day! I still have all three movies absolutely adored these stories and the cast still do till this day! Also found my love for orcas here!
All three Free Willy movies I own and watched countless times. And to see Keiko at the Oregon Coast Aquarium marine wildlife sanctuary in Newport as a kid was amazing. The 90s was a golden decade!
Growing up with this movie sparked my lifelong interest in orcas and cetaceans in general. I was only 3 when the film came out meaning Jason would have been maybe 7 or 8 years older than me
Free Willy and Flipper are my childhood movies. So nostalgic. I had a drawing book then full of drawings of willy. I tried to draw that iconic poster too. I don’t think I can watch it again. I will definitely cry. 😂
Hey Warner Brothers, since you're making some good sequels, I think this would be a great time to actually make another Free Willy entry. The actor who plays Jesse is really underrated and I think it would make a great comeback with a great message. And also put in Michael Jackson's song he did for the first one
Being a kid in the 90s was just the BEST!! This movie was a huge part of that. Everything about this video, from his enthusiasm to his kindness, was just so nostalgically beautiful!
90's were great, the last decade of kids not owning cell phones and before the internet/social media changed things for the worse.
@@EddieHenderson92 I remember kids actually going outside and using their imagination.
The 90s were all about the people / animal buddy movies. Free Willy, Homeward Bound, Air Bud, Beethoven, Mighty Joe Young, Fly Away Home, Babe, Gordy
Especially early 90’s. Free Willy, Jurassic Park etc my childhood favorites. I love this movie❤
That jump scene was iconic back in the 90s.
It was even more iconic in The Simpsons version.
"Willy didn't make it. And he crushed our boy." 😂
still is
the jump scene felt close to when thor entered the battlefield in infinity war with stormbreaker and the music hit, at least for me anyway haha
I remember seeing this in theaters when it came out. I was obsessed with this movie and especially the Michael Jackson song. The 90s were a great time to be a kid.
I had an argument with someone who said everyone's favorite decade is the 80s. Thats the decade everyone loves. Then I said what about the 90s? He said the 90s was trash. Nobody would choose to go back to the 90s. I told him i was an 80s kid and a 90s kid. If i were to choose id pick the 90s over the 80s any day!
@@joeynova9896 90s was the last great decade
@@joeynova9896 nah was born in 82, 90’s were awesome but things started to creep in that decade on what was to come the 80’a as a kid was just amazing the cartoons, the cereals, the movies, early 90’s were good till about 94-95
@@Petey17564late 80s early 90s were the best! ❤
@@joeynova9896The 90’s was so much better then the 80’s and I grew up in both as a kid.
90s babies had the best childhoods ❤
As a 90s kid, I agree.
We really did ❤️
So did 80's babies/90's kids!
ABSOLUTELY!
90’s kid & 100% agree.
I am revisiting this with tears in my eyes. I love this movie.
Me too!😀💙💙💙💙💙💙💙👍
Me 3❤❤
I cried tears of joy the entire interview!
That movie was everything when it came out. Still have my VHS copy!😊❤😂
Keep that VHS copy, because it could be worth a whole lotta money 😉!
Same but lost the necklace
Same
Same ❤
Me too 😂
This was a heartbreaking and heartwarming movie all at the same time!!
One of my favorite childhood movies. Keiko is the legit reason why orcas are my favorite animal.
RIP Keiko 😢
@reikun86 It's gonna be 21 years since he passed already.
Same!
@@Bryn_G_Mama_of_3 I really don't like how people assume orcas are bullies when all they're doing is living up to their roles as an apex predator. Depending on what subgroup they belong to, they have a different diet.
Residents: Fish
Transient: Other marine mammals
Offshore: Sharks and rays
This is one of the best movies ever made
I remember when Keiko died, I was devastated. This movie and Keiko were my childhood ❤️
That was an excellent interview. Good direct questions and allowed the person to talk while actually listening and expanding on the conversation. Rare today.
I still have my necklace that came with the VHS tape. LOVE this movie when i was a kid.
I'm jealous. I didn't get the necklace. But I got the VHS.
LOL oh yeah, I forgot about that, I still have the VHS but sadly, my necklace is long gone.
The necklace 😭 I had one too!
Me too! I found it randomly among some old things. The leather string had deteriorated, tho, so I had to put it on its own beaded chain. Love it.
Me too!!
I was 7 years old when my mom took us to go see Free Willy. I'll never forget after the movie people stayed to listen the Michael Jackson song and a lot of kids were having a ball with there parents that night. I miss the 90s
❤
This movie and flipper I watched about 1000 times when I was a kid in the 90s. Great memories with my grandfather.
I adore the first two FW movies. As a kid I used to rewatch them a lot and were a huge part of my childhood back in the 90s. My love for Orcas were also the result of these films. RIP Keiko
Oh my ❤, watched this movie sooooo many times with my boys. Thank you for this priceless movie❣️
It awesome sweetheart 😊❤
I miss movies like these :)
I haven't seen Jason James Richter in years 😱. I was 5 and 8 years old when both Free Willy movies dropped so I feel a great kinship to both movies because I literally grew up on them 🍿🎥❤️.
There's three with him and one with Bindi ❤
@@sarahharrison6421 When I was a kid during the 90's I saw him in all 3 Free Willy movies and that direct to video Never Ending Story 3.
Free Willy was such a big part of my childhood. Loved it so much and I still do!
same
A classic. Can't wait to share this movie with my daughter
Same here, man. My son is 2.5. A few more years and he’s going to be seeing a lot of 90’s classics that I grew up on.
I was just thinking the same thing scrolling through the comments!
This movie showed me my passion in life. I moved to Washington state because of this movie. I research Orca because of this movie.
Washington is a great state and has much to offer and see
Oh that's so cool you became an orca researcher!
Showed this to my kids a few months ago. It's still a good family movie. Not too cheesy, not a bunch of profanity, good plot, good characters and believable connections.❤
Got to visit Keiko at Newport beach in Oregon when I was a kid, I will always cherish that memory 😊.
Aww 🥰
Nothing compares to being a child of the 80s and a teenager of the 90s! This movie was a staple of my early teen years. I saw it in the theatre
Wow this makes me feel old. 😅 Free Willy was just everything when I was a kid, my favorite film.
I had such a crush on this guy. He was so cute. 30 years..wow. time flies. I LOVED this movie
Same here
@@lucindajones701same🥰
I had a crush on him too. 😊
I actually did too and when I saw the movie in the theaters told my friend I would date him someday. Guess what I did. I met him at a rave club when I was 20 years old and we hit it off and dated for about 4 months. Not that Jason would probably remember since it was longer ago than I would like to accept and it was only a few months. Jason's Mom was a very wonderful lady and very sweet to me.
@ if it was rave club it would have been early 90s hence he was still a child then 😕 and unknown
Orcas have always had a special place in my heart. I was lucky to see Keiko at the Oregon Coast Aquarium. Unfortunately, he wasn't performing that day, but I didn't care; 🤩I SAW KEIKO!!!!♥️♥️♥️♥️
We got some photos of him, too.
The Sequel to Free Willy has always been one of my favorite films growing up.
Oh, the irony… 🙄
Happy birthday to you Free Willy. My family’s favorite movie and glad to see the star talking about it ❤😊
This movie was a big part of my childhood. The harmonica scenes always spoke to me as a musician. Now I watch it with my kids!
My parents drove us from Bullhead City Arizona to the Oregon Coast Aquarium to see Keiko when we were kids. I remember all of it so well! Cherished moments
One of my favorite movies of all time!! I love Willy, Jesse, Randal, and this story of unconditional love
Love from California⛰️🌲☀️🐳🩵 30 years, what a feat!
I feel so fortunate to have had my childhood in the 90s.
Man your the same age as me 44. I never realized that you were the same age as me when you were shooting that movie and it was one of my favourite films in my childhood. 12 or 13 years old. Wow. My mom bought me that movie free willy when i first found that movie. Thanks for reminding me that life is great to remember sometimes because I get caught up in all the negatives somedays but today im remembering some good old days. 90s gen x for sure
Free Willy was the first movie I ever watched in theaters and to this day I still love Orcas. I’ll never forget meeting Keiko when he was in Oregon. This was such an amazing interview and it’s great seeing Jason James Richter turn into a great guy. RIP Keiko you are dearly missed!
I’m crying!!!! This was my absolute favorite movie as a kid. I had orca wallpaper and carried around a heart locket necklace with my mom and Shamu in it!!!! LOL
Such a beautiful and humble actor’nn
I’m 36 years and i still love this movie!
This movie put me in tears the ending was emotional and heart warming.
This classic motion picture needs a commemorative magazine and a special book about Jason James Richter!! Thanks for uploading this!!!
RIP Keiko (1976 - 2003), aged 27
Oh wow it did live long!!
@@kaoutermouslimhaliba7145Not really. Orcas in captivity die quite young. Free orcas live around twice as long, some even up to 90 years.
@@ElectronicSin oooh ,I was happy for Keiko, not anymore! I did not know they lived that long! Thaks for the info!
Did not ask about keiko dying affecting jason
Respect. ✊
My mom started taking me to SeaWorld in Ohio, where we live as a baby/child several times a year. I had this instant love and infatuation with orcas and wanted to-become a marine biologist. I was 8 when Free Willy was released,which was life changing for me! This movie reminds me so much of my childhood and what an amazing world it was to grow up in the 90s. Also, I am 1000% against Seaworld but back then you’re a small child and you didn’t know all the information you have now. Cannot believe it’s been 30 years.
He was my childhood crush! Amazing to see this. Thanks so much for taking the time to interview JJR and share with us. I loved Free Willy as a kid and I still follow the people who helped him retire to his Icelandic seapen. If anyone is interested, they are currently hard at work creating a Whale Sanctuary in Nova Scotia and they hope to retire whales to this place someday. Keiko started a movement and he will never be forgotten. Im so glad to hear JJR and Keiko bonded in reality. Two gentle souls.
'Free Willy 3: The Rescue' was actually the best of the three films, not many people saw it but it's well worth checking out, Ricther's performance is great.
I have all 4 on dvd. The 4th one is cute and wholesome. But completely different from the first 3.
this movie was a decade of memories. I remember the entire country coming together and watching Keiko being released back to the wild.
What happened to him after was sad though
I love this movie! I remember going to see it in theaters when I was 8 years old! I have been obsessed with Orca's since. I was very happy to see Keiko being a free whale, but I was so heartbroken when I learned that he had passed but at least just like Willy, he was free.
My girls are 14 and 11, they love this movie….as did I. Thank you ❤
Wow I just mentioned this movie last week! I said “ im surprised alot of ppl dont mention free willy for the it being such a good movie”! Nice to see him🥰
He still has that baby face, love this movie. Cried so hard after I saw it after so many years.
Had this on VHS as a kid. Watched it relentlessly and what a great soundtrack! They certainly don’t make films like this anymore.
I love this movie ❤❤❤
Watched it multiple times with my sister when we were kids. Last year I watched it with my 5 year old daughter and still gives me goosebumbs!
I got to see Keiko at the Oregon Coast Aquarium when I was really little. Seeing him swim out of the deep blue water was magical.
These movies were magical. Everything was "new" back then.
One of the very best movies ever 😊❤
Still one of the best Children movies from the 90s! We were so lucky and spoiled with so many amazing films. Hook, Home Alone, The Sandlot, Jurassic Park, Casper, Jumanji, The Secret Garden, A Little Princess, Little Giants.. I can keep going. This movie was one of my favorites simply because of my love for animals. How many of us wanted to become marine biologists after watching this? Haha.
Kids movies were legit back in the day. 😊
The Free Willy franchise has always meant a lot to me and to this day, been my favorite movies. They bring me a lot of comfort and I'll be watching them until I'm old.
Jason is an incredible actor and this is what got me interested in orcas when I was little. I wished more people appreciated the other two movies after the first one. (Because we do not talk about the 4th movie, it's not good lmao.)
I’m from the Middle East, and I remember watching the film at the theater when I was a teenager. When the movie ended families stood up and started singing with Michael Jackson. An experience I will never forget.
This came out when I was a kid. I enjoyed it. I'm happy to see him in his 40s.
I looked it up. He's about 44.
Orcas have been my favourite animal for 30yrs and these movies had a lot to do with that. I’d love to see Jesse revisited as a grown up with kids and keiko having a big family too
I’m 25 years old and this movie is 30! I was born in the late 90s but man being a kid and watching this with my parents just brings back so many memories
Still makes me cry And i am sixty years old so touching ❤❤
Thank you, sir. This movie was my childhood.
That’s over 300M today. Movie was huge back then ,how time flies. Still a great one. Sad and happy all in one
I remember being taken to theaters to see this when I was a 4 yr old. It was all I wanted for Christmas that year on VHS. I got it, and it was on repeat for the longest time at home😂
One of my favorite movies. The scene at the end still brings me to tears.
A classic!
God this movie was the 90s in a nutshell. It still stands up today. What a time to be a kid.
I’m glad that Jason James Richter is doing good and living a good life….It’s rare these days….Even for actors/celebrities that haven’t been in the spotlight for a while. I loved all the “Free Willy” films as a kid growing up and still do today at 36 years old. My favorite memory of watching “Free Willy” was when “Free Willy 2” come out on VHS and they were doing a little promotional skit with the Indian whale necklace that Randolph gives Jessie in the movie. Make a long story short, If you bought the movie when it first come out you would get the same version of that particular necklace, I’ll never forget when I got my necklace as a kid I literally thought how cool I was having the same necklace as JJR as Jessie had in the movie Lol 😂 and felt like I too was part of the “Free Willy club 😅!
This just made my day this made my day! I still have all three movies absolutely adored these stories and the cast still do till this day! Also found my love for orcas here!
Dude
My childhood was watching Free Willy
This movie made my childhood and also introduced me to Michael Jackson
Rip keiko
I remember watching "Free Willy" for the first time last year ❤
I don't think I ever saw it. They showed it so much I feel like I did
Growing up in the 90’s and watching this movie over and over and over again
30 years went so fast. I love the MJ song!!!!! Childhood memories.
I’m 39 and I still see this movie in my mind sometimes because of all the good music.
All three Free Willy movies I own and watched countless times. And to see Keiko at the Oregon Coast Aquarium marine wildlife sanctuary in Newport as a kid was amazing. The 90s was a golden decade!
This movie is such a great movie! I love it and it's iconic sound track! ❤ Proud to be a 90's kid! Just the freaking best!
This was my movie! I remember being way too excited for Christmas and my grandparents let me watch this film. It is one of the best movies ever made.
I did show it to my kids, and they LOVED it ❤ it’s one for the ages!
90's baby here
Good ol childhood memories
Growing up with this movie sparked my lifelong interest in orcas and cetaceans in general. I was only 3 when the film came out meaning Jason would have been maybe 7 or 8 years older than me
The amount of love & parodies this film has had. 🥰
Still one of my fave movies of all time
He was a little kid, being friends with the black whale. This movie is so beautiful to watch.
Man this was my favorite movie growing up nd this was my oldest favorite movie growing up! 🧬 is crazy
30 years.... Jeez. According to my mom I was obsessed with this movie. My toy orca is still in a box at my parent's house somewhere.
This was my all time favorite movie growing up...
I love this movie! Great cast, amazing sequences and the incredible jump scene!😀💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙👍
My childhood 90s baby best times ❤
I’m a 90s baby and this one was always my favourite
I love this movie. Have watched it many times. I member i had messaged him on myspace back in those days lol. He responded and was super nice.
Had this movie on repeat growing up!!
Free Willy and Flipper are my childhood movies. So nostalgic. I had a drawing book then full of drawings of willy. I tried to draw that iconic poster too. I don’t think I can watch it again. I will definitely cry. 😂
i loved free willy, till this day
Still my favorite movies ❤
Ngl, the Free Willy movies are incredibly underrated & I really enjoyed watching the trilogy (I haven't seen the other movies).
That's so crazy because I just watched the 3 Free Willy movies in the past week! Classics!
Growing up in the 90's was everything. I had the best childhood ever
Hey Warner Brothers, since you're making some good sequels, I think this would be a great time to actually make another Free Willy entry. The actor who plays Jesse is really underrated and I think it would make a great comeback with a great message. And also put in Michael Jackson's song he did for the first one
I loved this movie, it taught me so much about animals + compassion towards other creatures x