Willow Review

Willow
A diminutive nelwyn named Willow teams up with a wandering swordsman to protect a baby princess who has miraculously fallen into his care. It is fortold this baby girl will bring about the end of the rule of evil sorceress-queen Bavmorda.

by Ian Nathan |
Published on
Release Date:

03 Mar 1988

Running Time:

126 minutes

Certificate:

PG

Original Title:

Willow

Once upon a time... a powerful, bearded genius made a movie that placed a bunch of fantasy archetypes in a sci-fi setting. And lo, Star Wars did so well that George Lucas tried the trick again in 1988, this time producing Ron Howard’s fantasy flick, which both filled a large, LOTR-shaped gap (epic quest, vertically-challenged hero) and referenced Star Wars copiously (roguish hero, a beautiful princess, comedy sidekicks).

But the blocks remained unbusted, and not everyone lived happily ever after. Which isn’t to say that Willow is without its charms - the effects are more than special, the set-pieces suitably epic, and it’s still one of the most eye-catching fantasy films around. Problem is, with its 'parents’ - Star Wars and The Lord Of The Rings - currently kicking cinematic arse, Willow seems somehow smaller in stature.

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.
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