Once upon a time, there was a charming fantasy film about a hero with a little frame but a large heart. Ron Howard’s Willow, based on a concept by George Lucas, starred Warwick Davis as a farmer thrust into a perilous quest to defend a newborn girl destined for greatness. Willow Ufgood rises to the occasion and defends Elora Danan from Bone Reavers and Brownies. He befriends the uncontrollable rogue Madmartigan (Val Kilmer), encounters formidable sorceresses, and finally destroys the wicked queen Bavmorda (Jean Marsh) by sheer dumb luck.
After 34 years, we finally have a sequel that continues the Willow storyline with the necessary heart and passion. The new Disney+ series Willow is a humorous and utterly delightful continuation of the Lucasfilm cult favorite. Willow celebrates the fun of its original material as opposed to languishing in “grimdark” images or stumbling over superfluous mystery boxes. Willow is a tour de force of imaginative amusement.
In 1988, Willow was too quaint and eccentric, and both low-tech and high concept, to captivate the people the way Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings did in 2001. Nonetheless, it had undeniable appeal. Willow was sincere in its convictions, unashamedly humorous whenever it could be, and sensual. (The cross-dressing, womanizing, lust-driven Madmartigan has more eroticism in one of his thin braids than in the entirety of the majority of fantasy epics.) Obviously, it would go on to become a cult classic cherished by generations of proud nerds, including me.
Willow on Disney+ is set around 20 years after the events of the film. As now Queen Sorsha (Joanne Whalley) reveals in the introductory monologue, our heroes believed they had defeated evil. Willow has a nightmare vision of an old evil returning to kill Elora Danan, the true empress. Sorsha resolves to conceal the kid, concealing her identity from Elora herself.
Kit (Ruby Cruz) and Airk (Dempsey Bryk), the offspring of Madmartigan and Sorsha, have matured into pampered and spirited offspring of their parents. Kit would rather pursue adventure than submit to an arranged marriage with Galladoorn’s intellectual Prince Graydon (Tony Revolori), and she spends her days training as a warrior alongside her closest friend Jade (Erin Kellyman). Airk, on the other hand, is involved in a relationship with “Dove,” an endearing kitchen helper (Ellie Bamber). (A subsequent episode reveals that her name is Brunhilde, although she likes Airk’s moniker for understandable reasons.)
All looks great until evil strikes. A group of monstrous soldiers storm the castle of Sorsha in Tir Asleen and seize Prince Airk. This is the primary quest of Season 1 of Willow: a disparate gang of warriors, rogues, and naifs band together to save Airk. However, they must first seek the assistance of the smartest sorcerer living… Sheila Ufgood.
In terms of television, Willow is hardly a work of great art. It lacks the tragedy and energy of Disney+’s previous flagship series, Andor. Nonetheless, it still reigns. Willow is an excellent sequel to the 1988 picture. Jonathan Kasdan, the show’s creator and executive producer, has filled the series with all the characteristics of a labor of love. Scenes are revisited and built upon from the film. Characters beloved by fans, such as Kevin Pollack’s Rool, return with their own children. Annabelle, the real-life daughter of Warwick Davis, is permitted to steal scenes as the adult version of Willow’s daughter Mims.
The most remarkable characteristic of Willow is its heart. I was absolutely enchanted by this new breed of klutzy heroes and courageous heroines charging into battle against evil. Willow seems less like a highly costly attempt by a streamer to compete with the cultural influence of Game of Thrones and more like a love letter to RPG fans and ’80s fantasy.
Willow avoids many of the errors committed by more “prestigious” fantasy works. Whereas The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power on Prime Video was weakened by tedious mystery boxes and superfluous backstories, Willow immediately gets to the meat of the plot. We learn very soon what became of Elora Danan, but this contains spoilers. As a result of Willow’s early exposure to this revelation, we are able to observe the characters’ emotional reactions to this information.
In addition, Willow is able to honor the universe of the 1988 film Willow while welcoming new fans. When we discover more about Bavmorda’s history or the Death Reapers’ society, it complicates what we and our younger heroes know about themselves. Similarly to how Willow itself made significant leaps for its day, the program does not shy away from the ways in which societal norms have changed over the past three decades. (Yes, there are explicit gay relationships in this program!) Graydon informs Kit in Episode 1: “One day, you and I will be in command. When that time arrives, we won’t have to do things the same way our parents did.” Willow keeps faithful to the 1980s film while incorporating a 2022 sensibility.
Another highlight of Willow is its ensemble cast. Joanne Whalley shines as an older version of warrior princess Sorsha, while Christian Slater hams it up in a late-season guest appearance. But the true stars in this beautiful universe are the newcomers. Dempsey Bryk is possibly the most likable himbo since Noah Centineo’s star-turn in To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before. Ellie Bamber is absolutely endearing as a muffin-making master who finds herself in over her head, and Dempsey Bryk is perhaps the most likable himbo since Noah Centineo’s star-turn in To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before. As the thief Boorman, Amar Chadha-Patel provides great sarcastic and arrogant comic relief, while Ruby Cruz and Erin Kellyman effortlessly sell Kit and Jade’s relationship as something soulful and special. And naturally, Warwick Davis assumes the role of mentor in a stunning manner.
Willow is the most unapologetically joyful fantasy series of the year, despite not being the most cerebral. Willow on Disney+ is a perfect mix of new and old, replete with characters that will tug at your emotions and set pieces that will leave the entire family gasping for air.
The launch of the first two episodes of Willow on Disney+ will occur on Wednesday, November 30. Each week, new episodes broadcast on Wednesdays.
»Review of ‘Willow’ on Disney+: A Charming, Raggedy Homage to a ’80s Cult Classic«