There's no denying that Willow is a remix of The Lord of the Rings, perhaps crossed with Arthurian legend (or the Book of Genesis, but Jean Marsh is in here playing Morgaine, so...), just replace the ring with a baby (and don't throw the baby into a volcano). Even so, it has its own identity and though we're "on the road", it avoids the pitfalls of the picaresque, as all the scenes are part of the plot and there are no "random encounters". The film is in fact quite good at setting things up and paying them off. Warwick Davis is engaging as the halfling lead, and I quite like Julie Peters as his wife and wish she'd had more to do. But humans gotta human, so a good chunk of the movie is about arcing Val Kilmer's rogue. Pretty good effects, especially the size differentials (though can someone tell me why one of the Brownies speaks with a Quebecker accent?), nice score by James Horner, and a surprisingly emotive baby. Good fun.
Considering my disdain for the Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and Harry Potter sagas, I think it's safe to say that the adventure fantasy genre is really not my cup of tea. Then why do I love Willow so much? What makes it different? I believe the reason is that it is substance before style, unlike the previously mentioned films which are constantly trying to dazzle you with special effects, make-up, CGI landscapes, etc. Willow keeps its magic close to the earth, and makes for a much more natural impact on the viewer.
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Spacepimp
i see no reason to deny it. I love this movie. did as a child, do right now now.Siskoid
There's no denying that Willow is a remix of The Lord of the Rings, perhaps crossed with Arthurian legend (or the Book of Genesis, but Jean Marsh is in here playing Morgaine, so...), just replace the ring with a baby (and don't throw the baby into a volcano). Even so, it has its own identity and though we're "on the road", it avoids the pitfalls of the picaresque, as all the scenes are part of the plot and there are no "random encounters". The film is in fact quite good at setting things up and paying them off. Warwick Davis is engaging as the halfling lead, and I quite like Julie Peters as his wife and wish she'd had more to do. But humans gotta human, so a good chunk of the movie is about arcing Val Kilmer's rogue. Pretty good effects, especially the size differentials (though can someone tell me why one of the Brownies speaks with a Quebecker accent?), nice score by James Horner, and a surprisingly emotive baby. Good fun.devilsadvocado
Considering my disdain for the Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and Harry Potter sagas, I think it's safe to say that the adventure fantasy genre is really not my cup of tea. Then why do I love Willow so much? What makes it different? I believe the reason is that it is substance before style, unlike the previously mentioned films which are constantly trying to dazzle you with special effects, make-up, CGI landscapes, etc. Willow keeps its magic close to the earth, and makes for a much more natural impact on the viewer.