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Willow came out towards the end of this period and at the time was touted has showing off the most sophisticated special effect of any fantasy film made. Seeing as it was out of the George Lucas stable this was not surprising but its also not surprising that after 16 years that the special ... Read review
Billed as a fantasy to please kids and adults alike in 1988,Willowwas revolutionary in its ... more
day. Not only did it have a vertically challenged actor (Warwick Davis) as its leading man, it also set new standards for special effects, using the first known ...
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Billed as a fantasy to please kids and adults alike in 1988,Willowwas revolutionary in its ... more
day. Not only did it have a vertically challenged actor (Warwick Davis) as its leading man, it also set new standards for special effects, using the first known ...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
From legendary filmmakers George Lucas and Ron Howard comes one of the most beloved ... more
fantasy tales of all time. This groundbreaking film features stunning special effects, dazzling action and a classic battle between good and evil.When young Willow Ufgo...
Production Year: 2007 - Science Fiction - Director: Francis Lawrence - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Alice Braga, Charlie Tahan, Dash Mihok, Will Smith, Salli Richardson, Willow Smith
Advantages: Good story, good acting Disadvantages: Slightly dated special effects
...'Red Sonja'.
Willow came out towards the end of this period and at the time was touted has showing off the most sophisticated special effect of any fantasy film made. Seeing as it was out of the George Lucas stable this was not surprising but its also not surprising that after 16 years that the special effects technology now looks quite dated. However the special effect are not the only thing that make this movie appealing and that's ... ...only to be found by Willow Ufgood and his family. Luckily for the child Willow is not human but belongs to a race of dwarves the Nelwyn that have not heard of the prophecy and have little contact with men, they decide to take in the child but are eventually after some violent attacks on the village they are forced by their village council to take the child back to be looked after by its own kind. This journey to the outer borders of his land turn ... more
Long ago in the distant 80's before Peter Jackson made the fantasy genre his own with 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy fantasy films were going through a bit of a rebirth. The genre seemed to become popular with filmmakers following on from the Star Wars sci-fi boom of the late 70's. Unfortunately the output was largely dreadful, for every quality film like 'Excalibur' there were also plenty of dreadful ones like 'Beastmaster' or 'Red Sonja'.
Willow came out towards the end of this period and at the time was touted has showing off the most sophisticated special effect of any fantasy film made. Seeing as it was out of the George Lucas stable this was not surprising but its also not surprising that after 16 years that the special effects technology now looks quite dated. However the special effect are not the only thing that make this movie appealing and that's why it is still enjoyable to watch.
THE PLOT
In an unspecified world not unlike our own world in the middle ages a wicked sorcerer/queen Queen Bvmorda is worried by a prophesy stating that she will be defeated and usurped by a powerful child princess just born. Not wanting to take any chances she decided as any self-respecting evil ruler does that the mass murder of all newborn female babies is the only way she can be safe. Unfortunately for her the child Elora Danan is placed on a small boat and set free on a river only to be found by Willow Ufgood and his family. Luckily for the child Willow is not human but belongs to a race of dwarves the Nelwyn that have not heard of the prophecy and have little contact with men, they decide to take in the child but are eventually after some violent attacks on the village they are forced by their village council to take the child back to be looked after by its own kind. This journey to the outer borders of his land turn into a dangerous adventure for Willow and the friends he makes on the way.
CAST, PERFORMANCES AND OPINION
Val Kilmer .... Madmartigan Joanne Whalley .... Sorsha Warwick Davis .... Willow Ufgood Jean Marsh .... Queen Bavmorda Patricia Hayes .... Fin Raziel Billy Barty .... High Aldwin Pat Roach .... Gen. Kael Gavan O'Herlihy .... Airk Thaughbaer David Steinberg .... Meegosh Phil Fondacaro .... Vohnkar Mark Northover .... Burglekutt Kevin Pollak .... Rool
Directed by Ron Howard, writers Bob Dolman and George Lucas
The story is not that different from your usual fantasy format, an orphaned child of great power his threatened by the forces of evil in order to fulfil its destiny but in this case the leading roles are taken up by the characters around the child.
Warwick Davis makes his first starring role and only 18 at the time excels as the diminutive would-be wizard Willow. He more than holds his own with the other more experienced actors. He manages to be convincing as the reluctant hero trying to do the right thing at great risk to himself. Davis had appeared in the Star wars trilogy before this but it is this film that allowed him to show off hi talents and this has led him to appear in many other films including Gulliver's Travels and more recently the Harry Potter series. Ron Howard decided to avoid using special effects to portray the dwarf characters in the film instead opting to use 'smaller' actors in the same way Terry Gilliam did in the earlier Time Bandits. This strategy worked well and the performances in general were of high standard the added bonus being that it provided substantial roles for actor who might not normally be considered as main performers.
The other main role is taken by one of my least favourite actor Val Kilmer as the swashbuckling but comical warrior Madmartigan who willow teams up with on his travels. It is true that of all the films I have seen Kilmer in I have thought his acting at best 'hammy' at worst dreadful 'The Saint' film adaptation is a good example of the depth he can sink to! However on the odd occasion even he can manage a passable performance. 'Willow' is one of his best and provided him with his first starring role. As the lack Oscar nominations for acting in TLOTR trilogy proves, in fantasy films the story and effects usually take away attention from the acting performances and in Kilmer's case this is an advantage. He shows he does have a skill for humour and does his 'swashbuckling' well enough. Jean Marsh is very good as the evil Bavmorda and Joanne Whalley provided the eye candy for the male viewers and the evil queen's daughter.
An other notable performance is provided by the late Patricia Hayes (a distinguished British comic/character actress) as the metamorphed good witch Fin Raziel and Kevin Pollack (Usual Suspects and Casino) proves very funny in early role for him as a blundering sprite.
Despite a surprising PG rating this is an ideal film for all the family. The characters are comical and the story is simple enough for even the youngest to follow. At 130min it has enough time to develop both story and characters giving both more depth than you would expect in a 'run of the mill' fantasy film. The evil queen is scary enough but will not give anyone nightmares and there are enough monsters, mythical creatures and action to keep even grown up viewers happy.
Ron Howard keeps the action moving along nicely and there is thankfully a lack of his distinctive over sentimental style of storytelling that have marred some of his later films. He makes good use of the stunning scenery which continually changes as Willow's adventure progresses. The soundtrack is competent if not all that memorable and it is worth noting that it is composed by James Horner who went on to have greater success with the soundtrack to 'Titanic'.
I've already mentioned that the special effect look dated and this is most obvious in the big battle sequence but that is a judgment made post Lord of the Rings and Matrix so it is a very high standard to judge it by. The effects are still good by most standards and do not detract from the enjoyment of the film (unless you're a FX anorak). The final battle involving a contest of magic is still impressive.
At the time this film was not a huge box office success, maybe the appeal for fantasy films was already on the wane but 'Willow' does deserve serious consideration for purchasing on DVD or VHS it is a very good story and will can be watched over and over again.
'Willow' can be bought on DVD from play.com as a special edition DVD for only £7.99 delivered and for this price I would highly recommend it!
Advantages: Val Kilmer at his gorgeous best, classic fantasy film, action & laughs Disadvantages: Outdated special effects, some (by this I mean boyfriends) will think it's a bit silly
...a personal favourite of mine! WILLOW was released in 1988 and was considered ground breaking in its time. Directed by Ron Howard and written / produced by George Lucas of STAR WARS fame it certainly had good credentials. And in my opinion they succeeded in creating a classic fantasy adventure that the whole family will enjoy.
THE STORY
Willow is based on a planet similar to earth but as in all good fantasy tales is set in a time probably best compared ... ...to their father, frustrated sorcerer, Willow Ufgood (Warwick Davis). When it becomes clear the presence of the child brings great peril to the Nelwyn’s tranquil village the elders decide she must be taken back to one of her own kind. Reluctant to take on a Dykenie child at first Willow eventually agrees to become guardian to the baby on the treacherous journey because despite himself he has grown fond of her.
Although Willow’s mission ...
Tricia24 09.12.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Willow (Special Edition) (DVD)
Advantages: good story, characters, music, everything! Disadvantages: Some dodgy effects but who cares?
...and so the film of Willow was made. Not an instant hit, its appeal has lasted and now it is considered to be an absolute classic.
CAST & CREW
Thanks to www.imdb.com
Willow Ufgood – Warwick Davies: Leprechaun (1993), Star Wars, The Ewok Adventure (1984), and more recently seen as Professor Flitwick in the Harry Potter films (2001) & (2002)
Madmartigan – Val Kilmer: Red Planet (2000), Heat (1995), Batman Forever (1995), True Romance (1993), Top ... ...on a raft. Willow Ufgood is a farmer in the village of the Nelwyns (little people). One day, his children find a Daikini (big people) baby in the river and they bring it home to live with them. The baby has a strange mark on her arm but the family think nothing of it.
On the day of the village festival, Queen Bavmorda’s evil hounds and soldiers tear the village apart. The evidence of broken cribs seems to indicate that they were looking for a baby. ...
emmaclaire 16.01.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Willow (Special Edition) (DVD)
Advantages: Pure fantasy film for the whole family. Disadvantages: Some of the story is a little to extreme to remain beliveable.
Willow was first released in 1988 and directed by Ron Howard (from Happy Days fame!). It was a mediocre film, which was not widely exposed to the public, but I must hold my hands up and admit to really enjoying it: so much so that I have even brought a copy on video. (No DVD for me yet!)
Many critics hated George Lucas's attempts to make a Star Wars set on land, but in fact Willow is it actually makes quite an enjoyable film to watch. It is basically ... ...the human race as ‘Pecks’. Willow dreams of becoming a great sorcerer on day, but at all the tests he fails. His is an epic adventure depicting how he discover a human baby, a child that will change the course of history and the events that lead Willow becoming entwined into a legendary battle that of Good verses Evil. Try to ignore the cut-n-dried fantasy story (that is at times, a little twee!) and especially disregard some of the flatter ...
wulise 11.08.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Willow (Special Edition) (DVD)
Somehow Willow had passed me be since its release back in 1988 until just recently, when I saw it for a mere £5 in one of the shops at the hospital I work in. I've always been curious about it as I remember a lot of hype at the time of its release, and of course it was brought to us by George Lucas of Star Wars fame. The story is a very traditional fantasy tale with a few biblical overtones thrown in for good measure. An evil queen rules (just where ... ...infant, it is decided that Willow must take the baby to the "Tall People" for them to look after. On his way he encounters Madmartigan, who claims to be the world's greatest swordsman but who is behind bars at the time. Then, of course, the fun really begins… With a terrific cast including Val Kilmer in excellent form as Madmartigan, and Warwick Davis starring as the eponymous Willow there's real quality to the performances, and some superb special ...
CaptainDisaster 29.12.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Willow (Special Edition) (DVD)
Advantages: Classic fantasy film Disadvantages: Some of the special effects look dated (obviously)
...public I've decided to review Willow in the hope that at least a few more people may give it a try.
Firstly it's directed by Ron Howard, written and produced by George Lucas so we already have some pretty impressive credits. The film also has a great cast which I will come to later and if you don't recognise their names you will probably recognise at least a few of their faces.
Willow Ufgood (Warwick Davis - Harry Potter & The Goblet of Fire) is ... ...become a great sorceror. Unfortunately Willow isn't a great sorceror, in fact his magic is pretty dismal and results in him becoming seen as a village joke.
Willow's life is turned upside down when his children find a red-headed Daikini (human like) baby washed up, unhurt, at the side of the river. After dogs attack the village it's decided by the elder that the baby should be taken to the Daikini crossroads for the safety of the Nelwins. Willow ...
SarkeBeeley 30.10.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Willow (Special Edition) (DVD)
In this sword and sorcery fantasy tale a timid yet valiant dwarf is entrusted with delivering a tiny royal infant from evil. His journey is dangerous as he encounters many characters along the way.
Release details
DVD Region
DVD
Studio(s)
20th Century Fox Home Entertainment; Deluxe Video Service - Fox
Warwick Davis Audio Commentary, Featurette Willow Making Of An Adventure, Featurette Morf To Morphing The Dawn Of Digital Filmmaking, Stills Gallery, Theatrical Trailers, 8 TV Spots, Interactive Menus, Scene Access
Aspect Ratio
2.35 Wide Screen, 16:9 Anamorphic Wide Screen
Sound
Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround
Dubbing Sound
Dolby Digital 5.1 English Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround English
DVD Description
Based on a story by STAR WARS creator George Lucas, WILLOW is director Ron Howard's fantasy world of medieval adventure. WILLOW stars Val Kilmer as Madmartigan, a swashbuckling warrior, and Warwick Davis as the title character. In a mythical kingdom, the evil sorceress Queen Bavmorda (Jean Marsh) plots to kill all infants so that the newborn princess, Elora, will never take over the throne. But a midwife sets the baby adrift in a river, and she is rescued by Willow (Warwick Davis), a farmer in Nelwyn, a peaceful village of trolls, fairies, and little folk. Willow and Madmartigan begin a quest to deliver the baby from evil while being chased by Queen Bavmorda's daughter, Sorsha (Joanne Whalley), sent to bring the baby back to Nockmaar. Director Howard benefited from his affiliation with George Lucas on the film--Lucas's company, Industrial Light and Magic, contributed the Oscar-nominated special effects. Lucas, the executive producer of WILLOW, went on to create a series of books based on the world of WILLOW, the SHADOW WAR series.
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