Willow
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) | Release Date: May 20, 1988
7.5
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 64 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
52
Mixed:
10
Negative:
2
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
8
Jim222001Jan 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
2 of 3 users found this helpful21
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2
HeroicAge616Nov 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 1 users found this helpful01
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7
gracjanskiJan 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
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7
Voodoo123Dec 17, 2022
A strong visual style, casting, soundtrack and visual effects bring to life the fairytale plot. The movie serves as a visual precursor to the eventual love action lotr film series. The screenplay is stronger than I remember. Still not sureA strong visual style, casting, soundtrack and visual effects bring to life the fairytale plot. The movie serves as a visual precursor to the eventual love action lotr film series. The screenplay is stronger than I remember. Still not sure about the sorscha madmortigan plotline but the chemistry was real enough for the actors to marry in real life! Overall fun to watch again in 2022.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
Kai82Jan 22, 2023
A nice fantasy movie based on a story from George Lucas. It might not be “Lord of the Rings” but is entertaining and has good humor. The story starts with a prophecy that the evil sorceress queen Bavmorda will be defeated by a child bearing aA nice fantasy movie based on a story from George Lucas. It might not be “Lord of the Rings” but is entertaining and has good humor. The story starts with a prophecy that the evil sorceress queen Bavmorda will be defeated by a child bearing a birthmark. Terrified by this she imprisoned all pregnant woman in her realm and observed all born children. When the child is born the mother convinces the midwife to smuggle the kid out. By circumstances it lands at an unlikely hero the Nelwyn Willow (Nelwyn are Hobbits or dwarves of this world). With that the adventure begins. Like I said it might not be a masterpiece but is entertaining, immersive and enjoyable. The story starts a bit slower to be fair but the later 3 quarters are satisfying. A fine journey with a lot of character development. The actors are well chosen. Warwick Davis is amazing as Willow and makes a great heroes journey. Val Kilmer as Madmartigan is a great unwilling hero and has also a good chemistry with an also really great Joanne Whalley as Shorsha. For the side characters I would praise Billy Barty, Mark Northover and the 2 brownies played by Kevin Pollak and Rick Overton. A good cast for a fantasy movie. The humor is also excellent but it takes a while before they start to add a bit to the story. The special effects were nice for the time and budget but aged not that well (Not awful but cant keep up). The soundtrack is sneakingly good. I barely noticed how fitting it is. Not that I would buy it but definitely good. Overall I give an 8/10 and would recommend it. Worth watching but misses to be a classic.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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10
Vader82Oct 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
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7
kyle20ellisApr 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 wasNow 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
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7
night4Dec 2, 2022
It's a very enjoyable movie, though I suspect children, people who grew up with it, and fantasy fans will be the most likely demographics. I can't say exactly why the movie works despite its flaws... maybe it's because it is somewhat creativeIt's a very enjoyable movie, though I suspect children, people who grew up with it, and fantasy fans will be the most likely demographics. I can't say exactly why the movie works despite its flaws... maybe it's because it is somewhat creative and not just another direct product of LotR/D&D. There may be some influences, but they're definitely not as pronounced as other fantasy settings. A bit refreshing in that respect.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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9
HabibiehakimJul 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,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, 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
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7
Pan_KrytykDec 11, 2022
Lucas to miał łeb do tworzenia filmów... Bardzo lubię ten film. Dobrze że teraz zrobili ciąg dalszy.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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4
Gamzguy17Aug 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"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
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7
mariohr2020Feb 10, 2022
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Una obra no muy famosa pero tremendamente influyente para la fantasía épica (acaso más que El Señor de los Anillos) tanto para la escrita como para los juegos de mesa y los videojuegos, en que se aprecian nítidamente los tópicos de este genero, llámese las "partys", los roles (caballero, mago, ladron), las quest, el desarrollo y progreso de los personajes, etc.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
liamexeJan 8, 2023
Overall, the decade-old picture Legend from the fantasy genre is equally as influential as Willow is now. It laid the way for subsequent fantasy epics and is a more than respectable movie on its own. It's definitely worth a look for any genreOverall, the decade-old picture Legend from the fantasy genre is equally as influential as Willow is now. It laid the way for subsequent fantasy epics and is a more than respectable movie on its own. It's definitely worth a look for any genre enthusiasts.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
alerikandersonApr 25, 2023
I really had A LOT of fun with Willow and is cast that is memorable and keep it entertaining.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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5
Homer_SteelJul 17, 2023
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Ron Howard's finest Work in my opinion. A PERFECT Fantasy Adventure. I love how Willow's friend Migosh stayed with Willow, when everyone else from his Village would not. A good lesson in Loyalty and courage, seen it several times and I'll see it MANY more!!… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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