Willow

Name: Willow
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Romance
Released: May 20, 1988
Duration: 126 min
Rating: 47
Cast: Joanne Whalley, Val Kilmer, Warwick Davis

1988

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 12 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 38 Ratings

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7.6

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7.6	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 38 Ratings

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Willow

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Movie Details & Credits

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) | Release Date: May 20, 1988 | PG

Starring: Joanne Whalley, Val Kilmer, Warwick Davis

Summary: A reluctant dwarf must play a critical role in protecting a special baby from an evil queen.

Director: Ron Howard

Genre(s): Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Romance

Rating: PG

Runtime: 126 min

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Critic Reviews

Roger Ebert

Its pacing is too deliberate, and it doesn’t have a light heart. That’s revealed in the handling of some characters named the Brownies, represented by a couple of men who are about 9 inches tall and fight all the time. Maybe Lucas thought these guys would work like R2-D2 and C-3PO did in “Star Wars.” But they have no depth, no personalities, no dimension; they’re simply an irritant at the edge of the frame. Read full review

Bill Cosford

It's fluffy stuff, lovingly made and instantly forgettable. [20 May 1988, p.5]

Empire Ian Nathan

Willow is not without its charms - the effects are more than special, the set-pieces suitably epic but it just doesn't fulfill the promise of certain other fantasy films.

Dave Kehr

Directed by Ron Howard and produced by George Lucas, the film seems to mark the final paroxysm of a genre-the big-budget fantasy-adventure-that dominated American filmmaking for a decade but has recently been weakened by changing tastes, altered economics and sheer exhaustion. It's less a movie than a collection of morbid symptoms: a labored, arrhythmic narrative; a pathetic dependency on recycled themes and borrowed images; a sour, self-mocking humor that suggests the end is near. [20 May 1988, p.2]

Janet Maslin

And Willow, a pleasant but bland character, doesn't often inspire much sentiment, so the film lacks an emotional center. In place of this, it relies on so much overstatement and repetition that it's possible to grow tired even of the adorable baby.

TV Guide Magazine Staff (Not Credited)

Every aspect of WILLOW seems as if it were written in stone before a shot was filmed. The plot grinds on inescapably to its predictable climax, with the viewer fully aware of what awaits long before the events unfold. Read full review

Desson Thomson

Producer-for-Life George Lucas puts his awesome creative machinery to work in Willow, a would-be adventure of little people, big people, good guys and bad. But the fantasy wheels grind to a halt, bogged down in Lucas' flat, derivative story, and not helped in the least by director Ron Howard's clumsy steering. Read full review

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User Reviews

Vader82

Oct 2, 2017

Excellent family film that jumps from one fun scenario to another. The musical score alone is among the very best made in that era of film making. A pure joy.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Habibiehakim

Jul 31, 2022

The first act of Willow is perfect, and while the second act and third act started to have some nit picky here and there and i did feel a bit too long, the rest of Willow is still a fascinating wondrous journey that's been well acted, superbly written in terms of dialogue and story, allThe first act of Willow is perfect, and while the second act and third act started to have some nit picky here and there and i did feel a bit too long, the rest of Willow is still a fascinating wondrous journey that's been well acted, superbly written in terms of dialogue and story, all likeable convincing characters, incredible set and costume, and great score, comes from the imagination of George Lucas, Willow are just not less wide imaginative than Star Wars, it's a very well directed fantasy film that are entertaining to watch.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Jim222001

Jan 30, 2019

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Some would call it wannabe Lord of the Rings. Not really though, just because it has wizards, trolls and a quest. Not like they are throwing the baby off mount doom lol. I always loved it due to the action, fantasy, cast and of course the score by James Horner. Critics called it disappointing due to expecting more from George Lucas and Ron Howard.
If only they had a time machine. It’s definitely a better George Lucas written movie than Phantom Menace and Crystal Skull. A lot less disappointing as well.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

kyle20ellis

Apr 24, 2020

Now I don't think Willow is the best fantasy film ever made(a three way-toss up between Pan's Labyrinth, Edward Scissorhands and The NeverEnding Story) nor is it the worst(Dungeons & Dragons). It does have problems, but I thought it was entertaining.

My first problem is Warwick Davis, nowNow I don't think Willow is the best fantasy film ever made(a three way-toss up between Pan's Labyrinth, Edward Scissorhands and The NeverEnding Story) nor is it the worst(Dungeons & Dragons). It does have problems, but I thought it was entertaining.

My first problem is Warwick Davis, now his title character is a very charming and likable character, but Davis's performance is somewhat uneven. At first it is uncomfortable and bland, then as the film progressed he got better as we got to know the character better. Another problem is that the special effects are a little dated especially the beast with the two heads. My final flaw is that there are one or two scenes in the middle half that felt a little forced.

However, thanks to a quirky, funny and honest script, it is actually entertaining. You may argue that the film is too long, and that the plot is unoriginal and formulaic, but the film does move quickly and a lot happens. The scenery, cinematography and costumes are also really nice to look at, maybe not as stunning as other fantasy films such as the Lord of the Rings movies, NeverEnding Story or Legend(which has one of the most exquisitely rendered forest sets I have ever seen on it) but it at least looks nice. The score by James Horner is also really pleasant though Horner has done better(I still bawl at the main theme for The Land Before Time), the main theme is definitely memorable and is surprisingly not generic. The direction from Ron Howard is good, and the acting is decent as they bring alive somewhat interesting characters. Davis is uneven as I have said already, but Joanne Whalley is alluring as Sorscha, while Val Kilmer does really well in a flashier and darker role with some good lines. Rool and Franjean are the funniest characters, and it is a delight to see Billy Barty again. However, Jean Marsh steals the show as Queen Bavmorda, her performance is the epitome of sheer evil.

Overall, flawed but decent fantasy film with some interesting elements. 7/10 Bethany Cox… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

gracjanski

Jan 10, 2021

Entertaining movie with superb costumes and fitting fantasy world. In addition the soundtrack was good.
Only the plot was a bit simple and has some logical issues. There are some similarities to Lord of the Rings also.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Gamzguy17

Aug 21, 2021

"Willow"?...uhm...oh yeah, now I remember (sort of). Just like every other cliché-driven fantasy film that was being pumped out during the 1980s, "Willow" attempts to follow down the beaten path, but suffers from too many missteps where the characters are uninteresting and annoying, the"Willow"?...uhm...oh yeah, now I remember (sort of). Just like every other cliché-driven fantasy film that was being pumped out during the 1980s, "Willow" attempts to follow down the beaten path, but suffers from too many missteps where the characters are uninteresting and annoying, the world looks bland and cheap, and the plot is derivative and lacks imagination. In short, this film feels like a dirty cash-in.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

HeroicAge616

Nov 1, 2021

Willow tries to do for fantasy what Star Wars did for sci-fi, but poor acting and a cheesy script keep it from being anything but a time waster for small children.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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