Willow

Disney+ | Release Date: November 30, 2022

2.7	USER SCORE Generally unfavorable reviews based on 202 Ratings

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BarMitzvahBoiJan 6, 2023

TRAVELER BEWARE! It seems hairy, disgruntled trolls not only crawl upside down under castle bridges, but also make a home here on Metacritic. Disney's Willow may be a lot of things, but it is most certainly not a big fat red zero. It isTRAVELER BEWARE! It seems hairy, disgruntled trolls not only crawl upside down under castle bridges, but also make a home here on Metacritic. Disney's Willow may be a lot of things, but it is most certainly not a big fat red zero. It is unexpected. It is often laugh out loud hilarious. It is mature and self-aware. It is cinematic and (especially Episode 7) quite close to a framable work of art. It's not perfect. There are Young Adult tropes used that feel a little too familiar. There are moments when danger doesn't seem to have the gravity is should. But you forgive those moments when you remember you're watching a children's fantasy adventure. If you enjoyed Syfy's The Magicians, you will find a familiar tone and intention here, where timeless fantasy is injected with sarcastic, modern, and entirely lovable wit. Maybe it's that same palpable joy that has attracted so many curmudgeons, hungry to rain on the parade and make someone pay for turning Luke Skywalker into a milk-sucking hermit.… Expand

2 of 7 users found this helpful25

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kuehnauDec 14, 2022

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. You know, in really surprised that there are some folks out here trying to compare this to Rings of Power, but also saying it's better than Willow. It personally feels like to me, a lot of these reviews have either not watched the movie or they are not remembering it correctly.

I was sad to see that it appears Val Kilmer couldn't reprise their role as Madmartigan, but it would make sense he was either missing or killed in combat. His character wasn't the type to settle down or start a family.

The level of disrespect Willow has received is also fairly frustrating to me, but I had to remind myself that Bavmorda's child is now in charge, she got hers, so to Hell with everyone else. That itself isn't surprising or frustrating.

I've enjoyed my stay so far, there's a lot of folks complaining about the acting but I can't honestly say I understand where they're coming from. I think some of the actors may be struggling a bit, but for the most part I'm happy with their performance.

At the very least, I'm waiting until the end to cast final judgment, unlike Rings of Power which I continue to fall asleep too.… Expand

3 of 11 users found this helpful38

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StoutfamDec 23, 2022

Characters are fun, we love the story and it stays true to the film while adding modern elements and diversity.

3 of 11 users found this helpful38

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cpegeoJan 9, 2023

All the reviews slamming this are probably a little overboard. It isn't perfect. Yes, the forced placement of certain types of characters, the slightly odd dialog, a few inconsistencies... but it is still fun if you take if for what it is, aAll the reviews slamming this are probably a little overboard. It isn't perfect. Yes, the forced placement of certain types of characters, the slightly odd dialog, a few inconsistencies... but it is still fun if you take if for what it is, a continuation of a corny movie with a corny tv series. Keep in mind the reality of what the original movie was, don't get so uptight about them forcing current political messages, and you can probably enjoy it just fine.… Expand

2 of 8 users found this helpful26

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Larkan237Dec 6, 2022

A fun fantasy show. That is all it has to be in my opinion. Worth watching.

4 of 17 users found this helpful413

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kirbykeebDec 29, 2022

This show slaps and is everything the teenage me would've wanted in a fantasy show. I love the humor, even when it doesn't quite land, and I love all the characters. Maybe this one doesn't appeal to most adult fans of the original movie, butThis show slaps and is everything the teenage me would've wanted in a fantasy show. I love the humor, even when it doesn't quite land, and I love all the characters. Maybe this one doesn't appeal to most adult fans of the original movie, but as someone who wanted to imagine themselves into it very young, it's perfect for me. Is it a pinnacle of writing, acting, or anything really? No, but y'know what? It brings me joy, and we all need some of that these days.… Expand

2 of 9 users found this helpful27

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RavenclawGuyJan 12, 2023

It is a great show, I liked it possibly better than the original. The acting is good and the episodic format is also great, although there appears to be a lot of filler.

1 of 5 users found this helpful14

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DasEichenlaubJan 13, 2023

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I don't get the hate. The show is better than average. Even though the film is a childhood favorite, I can admit that it was never very good. So I had real low expectations for the show, and although it's not great, it was much better than I thought it could be. Yeah, Disney had to cast and staff it with a diversity checklist, at least the cast and crew seem mostly more than competent. Willow was a Lord of the rings rip off like star wars was a flash Gordon rip off. That said, this show goes from ok generic fantasy to competent generic fantasy and with the last two episodes it became a good generic fantasy Yes, the writing is frequently bad
Yes many of the directors should get some coaching.
Yes it could use some tighter editing
Yes the costumes and casting were frequently distractingly modern
But! The last two episodes left me wanting more.
I wish they had been wise enough to let some of the surprises sit with us for a while before we found out so and so is really the chosen one or isn't really dead.
It could have used a few more episodes.
Everything after the stupid bone pirates or whatever they're called was pretty damn good though.
The last few episodes were more than successful at creating a magical atmosphere and compete heroes journey.
I probably would've given it an 8 if the last episode hadn't revealed how simply they could've made good Star wars sequels. I'm still bitter about the incompetence of Lucas film. Since Disney and Lucas film won't promote people on merit, maybe they should shut the studio down.
Please finish willow first, and keep the hack frauds away… Expand

1 of 5 users found this helpful14

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HansVDec 21, 2022

All these negative reviews, strange, I find this show sweet and lighthearted and carefully produced. But that’s just me it appears.

3 of 16 users found this helpful313

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bl1rtDec 22, 2022

There are lots of shows, particularly in the fantasy genre, where I stop watching halfway through because nothing seems to work, and I always wonder: who are the people who like this crap? In this case, I guess it is me.

I see the problemsThere are lots of shows, particularly in the fantasy genre, where I stop watching halfway through because nothing seems to work, and I always wonder: who are the people who like this crap? In this case, I guess it is me.

I see the problems the show has, like how the narration frequently skips a beat, or how the abrupt tonal shifts between silly quips and somber moments undercut each other's impact.

But still, I really enjoy the characters and the actors, I find the quips and particularly the delivery hilarious, and I enjoy how the story feels both very familiar and very weird at the same time. It is a bit like Alice in Wonderland meets Final Fantasy and everybody has a great time. Except apparently the people who watch it who are not me. And again, I understand why, but believe me, this is a fantastic show and I wish there were more like it.

Edit: Oh, I just went through the reviews, turns out it isn't really that bad. About 80% seem to dislike the show because it is not white enough and not heterosexual enough. So it isn't about quality, but that the show does not fit their agenda. And then they come here and leave angry downvotes. How sad and weird.… Expand

2 of 11 users found this helpful29

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Paulus4242Dec 26, 2022

I missed this kind of fantasy. Fantasy that isnt edgy and about the worst of humanity, but rather a fun adventure story of likable characters.

2 of 11 users found this helpful29

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arekusuJan 11, 2023

For people looking for a well made show that feels right out of a young-adult fantasy novel, this is probably the best live action fantasy TV series I've ever seen (and truly, I've watched almost all of them, haha). It has a lot of comedy andFor people looking for a well made show that feels right out of a young-adult fantasy novel, this is probably the best live action fantasy TV series I've ever seen (and truly, I've watched almost all of them, haha). It has a lot of comedy and doesn't worrying about focusing on grimdark lore and violence. Almost like Avatar: The Last Airbender in tone, it manages to balance comedy, wonder, and deeper themes about life in an unusually good coming of age adventure.

It's not as amazing a show overall as the early seasons of Game of Thrones, but nothing in the live action fantasy genre is. Willow's strength is that it's a completely different type of fantasy story focused on fun characters, comedic banter, and a feeling of adventure as you travel through a strange new world. Given that the classic movie had a silly tone throughout and was, above all, a series of cool filmmaking set pieces with a plot that sometimes seemed like an afterthought, they've done a good job here.

Scrolling through the user reviews, it once again seems like most of the negative reviews are just review bombs trying to tank the score with a big fat 0. Do people not realize that this just makes the user review average useless? A lot of the review bombers seem to be complaining about something called "wokeness" which seems to mean something like... letting black actors play characters in a fantasy world? Good times guys.

That said, I'm sure there are people who prefer grimdark fantasy and are disappointed by the lighthearted, young-adult-fantasy tone of this story that is about 50% comedy, 30% adventure and mystery, 10% fight scenes and 10% innocent romance. For those folks there's already watching the first 5-7 seasons of Game of Thrones... and then making up your own ending. Does anyone really expect a more serious tone in a follow up to the movie Willow?… Expand

1 of 6 users found this helpful15

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wrognibeneJan 19, 2023

An utterly fantastic adventure akin to a D&D campaign. Sure, sometimes it borders on cheesy, but that’s what makes it work. I laughed, I cheered, and I was on the edge of my seat. What else do you need?

1 of 6 users found this helpful15

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Method__ManMar 16, 2023

Ignore the haters. Anyone eating zero is just a fragile smoothbrain. Im a lifelong willow fan. And yes, this is willow. It doesn’t have all the charm as the original, but it’s still a quality watch. I basically binge watched the whole series.Ignore the haters. Anyone eating zero is just a fragile smoothbrain. Im a lifelong willow fan. And yes, this is willow. It doesn’t have all the charm as the original, but it’s still a quality watch. I basically binge watched the whole series. A very solid 8/10. Some parts could be better, but it PERFECTLY channels the charm of late 80s early 90s fantasy flicks. Definitely worth a watch. Cancelled because fanboy haters are too fragile to enjoy something. But at least we got one fun season :)… Expand

1 of 6 users found this helpful15

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Jim222001Feb 6, 2023

While the show does take some getting used to if you loved the movie. I think it does actually get better in the second episode. I also didn’t expect Dove to be Alora. I expected Jade.