
Willow
1988, Fantasy, 2h 5m
55 Reviews 100,000+ RatingsWhat to know
critics consensus
State-of-the-art special effects and an appealing performance from Warwick Davis can't quite save Willow from its slow pace and generic story. Read critic reviews
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Where to watch
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Movie Info
Cast & Crew
Madmartigan
Sorsha
Willow Ufgood
Queen Bavmorda
Fin Raziel
High Aldwin
News & Interviews for Willow
Critic Reviews for Willow
All Critics (55) | Top Critics (14) | Fresh (28) | Rotten (27)
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There isn't a single major character in the film who is engaging.
December 6, 2018 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review… -
If it evaporates from memory with the airiness of a bubble bath, at least it leaves a friendly glow and a sense of a magical world lovingly evoked.
December 6, 2018 | Full Review… -
Willow feels like the kind of movie that might have worked considerably better on the printed page.
December 6, 2018 | Rating: 2.5/4 | Full Review… -
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.
December 6, 2018 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review… -
It takes forever for the story to get started, and once it does it holds few surprises.
December 6, 2018 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review… -
Willow exchanges the high-tech gleam of the Star Wars universe for the low-tech look of a Tolkienesque world, but otherwise it's business as usual.
December 6, 2018 | Full Review…
Audience Reviews for Willow
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May 31, 2013Beautiful Little Masterpiece !Shawn M Super Reviewer
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May 06, 2012From George Lucas and Ron Howard comes the beloved fantasy classic, Willow. The tale follows an aspiring sorcerer named Willow Ufgood who embarks on a quest to save a child of prophecy from the evil Queen Bavmorda. Warwick Davis, Val Kilmar, and Joanne Whalley all give good performances; especially Davis, for whom this would become a seminal role. The story is pretty derivative (especially of Star Wars) but the characters are quite interesting and a lot of fun. However, the special effects are rather dated, which weakens the film somewhat. But, James Hornerâ(TM)s whimsical score keeps the film moving and gives it a strong fantasy theme. Willow is an epic, magical adventure thatâ(TM)s fun for all ages.Dann M Super Reviewer
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Apr 29, 2012Willow is a movie that really gets overshadowed by other much better Fantasy films of the 80's (The Princess Bride, Labyrinth) but still manages to be a fun gem of a Sword and Sorcery movie. This movie follows a Nelwyn (Dwarf) sorcerer-in-training named Willow Ufgood (Warwick Davis) who is tasked in protecting a small baby prophesized to defeat and evil Queen named Bavmorda (Jean Marsh). He must leave his small village to embark on this quest. Along the way, Willow meets an interesting cast of allies including the down on his luck warrior Madmartigan (Val Kilmer), the Queen's daughter Sorsha (Joanne Whalley), an old wizard named Raziel (Patricia Hayes) and two Brownies named Vonkhar (Phil Fondacaro) and Rool (Kevin Pollack), an almost fairly like race of little people. I think this film is lacking in the whimsicality of the actual fantasy world. Look at more recent imaginings like Lord of the Rings (Peter Jackson) and you will see what I mean. The actual world just seems devoid of life. Good performances from Davis and Kilmer make this film quite interesting, but can't save it from it's rather slow paced plot. The film's highlight for me is the soundtrack (James Horner), which in my opinion is really underrated. Not even an academy nomination? They really dropped the ball in my opinion. Overall a decent fantasy film, and I can see how many people would love it. For me, it's a fun watch but nothing to write home about. 3/5.Brendan L Super Reviewer
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Jan 14, 2012Willow is undeniably cute and provides decent entertainment, but the story is too cliched and unoriginal to succeed.Matt P Super Reviewer
Willow Quotes
Willow Ufgood: | Don't call me a peck! |
Madmartigan: | Oh, I'm sorry! Peck! Peck! Peck, peck, peck, peck, peck, peck, peck! |
High Aldwin: | Go in the direction the bird is flying! |
Burglekutt Prefect: | It's going back to the village! |
High Aldwin: | Ignore the bird. Follow the river. |
Sorsha: | You lost your skirt. |
Madmartigan: | I've still got what counts. |
Willow Ufgood: | What are you giving her? |
Madmartigan: | Just some blackroot. |
Willow Ufgood: | Blackroot! Didn't you ever hear that you never ever give a baby blackroot? |
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