Movie Review: Willow

Fantasy Film Review: Willow (1988)

     Willow is an original story created by George Lucas, creator of Star Wars, and written into screenplay form by Bob Dolman and Directed by Ron Howard. It has been a long time favorite movie of my family and by writing this review I hope other will be interested to watch it.

     The story begins as most fantasy tales do, with a prophecy. This prophecy being that a female child shall be born, known by a specific birthmark, and will overthrow the evil reigning Queen Bavmorda. The child is born in the very dungeons of the Queens castle. Right as the queen goes to see, and subsequently kill the child, the baby is carried away by a kind midwife who hides the child and cares for it in the wild. Soon however, ugly dog-like creatures are released to hunt the midwife down and soon they do but not before she puts the child on a bed of reeds and pushed her out into the safety of a calm but swift flowing river.

     The baby is soon found in the river by the children of Willow Ufgood, a farmer and amateur magician, and Nelwyn (race of little person). His children and even his wife are immediately enamored but the child even though Willow doesn't even want them to tough it because it’s a “Daikinie baby”, which is slang for big people. The next day Willow and his children attend a village fair and Willow participated in a trial to become the town sorcerer’s apprentice and fails because he didn't trust his instincts. The fair is later interrupted by a pack of the same dogs that were chasing the baby earlier. Willow rushes home to find his wife and the baby are safe and they all go to a village meeting that was called because the attack. Soon, the people find out that the baby was the cause the town sorcerer tells the people that they must bring the baby to the crossroads and give it to the first human they see. Willow and a group of Nelwyns go and the first human they meet is a thief in a hanging cage, named Madmartigan who claims to be the greatest swordsmen in the world. Madmartigan says he will look after the baby if they free him. Before they can decide a convoy of retreating soldiers and horses lead by an old friend of Madmartigan’ pass and tell them how they were defeated by Bavmorda. Eventually, Willow reluctantly gives the baby to Madmartigan and goes back home. On the way back he is attacked by Brownies (small fairy-like creatures) who have stolen the baby away from the man. Willow is taken by the Brownies to meet a fairy queen who tells him that the baby is a Princesses named Elora Danan and that the baby has chosen Willow, who she likes very much, to be her guardian. He is given a wand and is told to seek out a sorceress, Fin Razel, that can help him Two Brownies go with them and act as guides, and comic relief. While on the way there they find Madmartigan and he in turn has met the Queens daughter Sorsha who hunts for the child. The band soon find a deserted island in the middle of a huge lake where Fin Razel has been exiled and turned into a possum by Bafmorda. When Willow returns from the island with the sorcerers, still in animal shape, he and his comrades are ambushed and captured by Sorsha and brought a long way to a camp in the mountains on their way back to the Queens castle. Whilst in captivity, Willow tried to use the wand and a spell told to him by Razel to return her to her true form. Unfortunately, Willow is distracted and she is left as a Rook.

     With their customary bad timing, one of the Brownies hit Madmartigan with a love dust which makes him fall for Sorsha but eventually they all escape with the baby. They make their way to a nearby castle that has been a long time fortress for good. They find it empty and they prepare for battle as best they can. While battle is waged Willow again tried magic and turns Razel into a goat, and fights a troll turning it into a huge two headed monster by mistake. The remaining army from the beginning of the story comes to their aid, also thinking that the castle would have reinforcements. In the chaos, Sorsha realizes that she loves Madmartigan as he loves her, even without love dust, and she joins them in battle. The baby is taken however by a general of the Queens army and retreats with the baby back to the Queens castle.

     The newly formed army led by Madmartigan and Sorsha camp in front of the castle of Bavmorda and make plans to attack. Willow then tries one last time to turn Razel to her true form and succeeds. She is an old woman now but is ready to fight Bavmorda as best she can. The next morning the army gains access to the tower by using an old trick Willow used to use in magic tricks. Once inside the battle commences and Willow, Sorsha, and Razel make their way to the tower where the Queen is preforming a long ritual to banish the child’s soul so the prophecy can’t come true. Razel and Bavmorda ingage in a sorcerer battle while Willow tried to save the baby. Meanwhile, Madmartigan and the General fight and eventually the General is killed. In the tower, Razel is knocked unconscious and Willow uses an old magic trick to seemingly make the baby disappear. The Queen is actually fooled by this and in her rage she accidentally finished the ritual and exiles her own soul into oblivion.

     With the Queen dead the battle is now over in the end the baby Elora is adopted by Madmartigan and Sorsha who have become King and Queen of the newly freed land. Willow returns home and is hailed as a hero and great sorcerer by his people and family.

     The movie as a whole is a wonderful ride for kids as well as adults. The special effects are a bit dated, which is to be expected in any 80’s film, but they don’t detract from the story and in fact add to it. Although the ideas framing the story aren't extremely original and might remind viewers of other movies or books they have watched or read, the film is portrayed in such a way that it is still enjoyable to watch. The heroes are likable and original and the world in which they travel is a very believable fantasy realm. The film is defiantly a fantasy because of the magic, the prophecies and creatures, and other races. Willow is a great ride and anyone who enjoys fantasy should enjoy the tale of a small man who makes a big difference.