Anthony's Film Review - Willow (1988)

A fun fantasy adventure film from the 1980s...

George Lucas's career may have taken off in dramatic fashion thanks to his Star Wars movies, but that doesn't mean he became unable to conceive other stories. It's pretty obvious when you consider that The Empire Strikes Back came out in 1980 and Raiders of the Lost Ark was released in 1981. Once the original Star Wars trilogy concluded with Return of the Jedi in 1983, Lucas had plenty more time to come up with something new. One film that came out as a result was Willow in 1988. While it's nowhere near as epic as any of the first three Star Wars movies, it's at least his foray into cinematic medieval fantasy.

The movie involves a fairly simple presence. In a mythical fantasy world, an evil queen named Bavmorda, played by Jean Marsh, rules the land. But according to prophecy, a certain child will be born and grow up with the power to end Queen Bavmorda's reign. This gets the queen hopping mad. She is hellbent on finding which child is this special child so that she can eliminate it and end the threat. She does get real close to that child, a baby girl, before the child is sent floating down a river as a means to prevent Bavmorda from snatching her.

As expected, the main character of the story is someone who unexpectedly comes across the child and goes on an unexpected quest to find the people who will protect her. Willow Ufgood, played by Warwick Davis, is a dwarf farmer with a wife and two children, living in a village with other people of short stature like him. Of all the individuals who could possibly transport the child to safety, Willow ends up being the one to do it. Besides embarking on this journey, he also begins his path toward becoming a sorcerer, something that may help him later.

From there, the story is essentially a series of encounters, moments of peril, and other unexpected adventures. Willow meets a swordsman named Madmartigan (Val Kilmer) as well as a talking rat and two French-accented miniature men, not to mention a fairy and a few ugly trolls. He also has to survive a slide down a snowy mountain, a fast ride on a horse carriage, and a battle with knights while barricaded in a castle. But ultimately, the baby girl is not forgotten. The climax, which is certainly engrossing, presents what ultimately happens to her.

There isn't much more for me to say, other than that Willow is a fun fantasy film and one that illustrates the style of cinematic fantasy storytelling in the 1980s. There is action, there is humor, and there is heroism, all mixed with the element of playful fun. The cast seems to enjoy playing their roles, especially Warwick Davis who is the real star here. Overall, Willow may not be the greatest fantasy film ever, but there is plenty of good stuff to keep audiences entertained, kids and adults alike.

Anthony's Rating:

For more information about Willow, visit the Internet Movie Database.