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Willow (Special Edition)

Willow (Special Edition)

List Price: $19.98
Your Price: $14.99
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Action, Fantasy, and Romance - What's not to love?
Review: The story revolves around a "little" farmer named Willow Ufgood (Warwick Davis). Willow finds an abandoned baby. According to an ancient prophecy, the baby will grow to put a stop to the evil reign of Queen Bavmorda ( Jean Marsh). Since Willow was the one to find the child, he is selected by his village to go on a journey to deliver the baby to safety. Now with only a single swordsman named Madmartigan ( Val Kilmer)at his side, Willow must overcome the the Queen's evil forces of darkness, and keep the baby safe at all costs...

With the acception of the Lord of the Ring films, " Willow" has to be the best fantasy film I have ever seen. The story itself is outstanding. Watching a man of Willow's size have to overcome numerous obstacles, is really inspiring. The film also offers non stop action, and tons of laughs. The special effects are out of this world. Especially with all of the sorcery, the two headed dragon, and all of the other creatures. It is all amazing to see. The acting is great all around. Warwick Davis ( known for his role as the Leprechaun), really shines here. He shows fierce courage, determination, and unending love for the baby. Madmartigan might be one of Kilmer's best roles ever. He is courageous, great with the sword, and extremely funny. Joanne Whalley does a nice job a Sorsha. The chemistry between her and Kilmer is outstanding. The two eventually became married in real life. Kevin Pollack and Rick Overton are hillarious as the "Brownie Soldiers" and provide for most of the film's laughs. But the best performance hands down came from Jean Marsh as Queen Bavmorda. The first time I saw this film as a little kid, she really gave me the creeps. She is still just as dipisable today, as she was then! Outstanding performance!! Ron Howard did a great job with directing the rest of the little people in the film too. They came together and really made Willow's village seem believeable.

"Willow" is definately at the top of the Fantasy genre. The story involves one small man overcoming the odds, the special effects are incredible, the action is non stop, the film is extremely funny, and all of the performances are great. Watching this film, is a great way to spend a couple of hours. The DVD makes the film even better. You get two featurettes, a behind the scenes gallery, and a lot more. Definately a must own!!!

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Great fun, but unfortunately has Lucas trademarks
Review: There are two parts of me that are fighting while I review "Willow". Part of me remembers how great this movie was when I was a kid, the great fun and wonder of it all, the terrific action sequences and (for then) innovative special effects. The other part of me is the adult side, which realizes the movie's huge plot holes and blatant rip-offs.

First, the good things. "Willow" really is a good-looking film for 1988, with beautiful set pieces, dark and ominous castles and evil armies, and innovative special effects. It takes a while for the action in the film to get going, but once it does it really is quite riveting, especially the two castle battles near the end. The swordplay in this is traditional (not Martial-Arts like modern films), but is very decent. Val Kilmer gives an energy to his performance not seen in many of his modern films, and is very entertaining to watch. Overall, this is just a very fun movie, both funny and suspenseful.

However, it has some major problems. First, there are the plot holes. Why does the baby have to be killed by an elaborate ritual instead of just being stabbed or something? Because then how would have they written the script!? Worst of all, it is apparent that this movie was the brain-child of George Lucas. There's a difference between inspiration and blatant rip-off, and Lucas has always walked a fine line between those. This movie raises the question: if you take from your own work, is it still called a rip-off? Because "Willow" is primarily "Star Wars" set in the Medieval world. It also draws heavily from "Lord of the Rings", which would be made into a far superior film a decade after "Willow". For good measure, it "borrows" from "Snow White" (the evil queen), "Indiana Jones" (Madmartigan's character and some of the stunts he pulls), "The Odyssey" (an army is turned into pigs), the Bible (an obvious Exodus-like beginning) and even "Clash of the Titans" (when Willow fights a possessed table). To say there's not an original moment in "Willow" may not be much of an overstatement.

And so, I don't know what to think of "Willow" anymore. The movie is still fun to watch, and I'm sure kids will enjoy it greatly. It is a good looking film with a terrific score (possibly the best thing about Willow). However, it also has some major problems and now is being paled by the "Lord of the Rings" films. I'll say I recommend it for a rental- I think the whole family can enjoy this one, even adults if they don't think too hard.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Willow
Review: Val Kilmer and Warwick Davis star in this spellbinding tale of a village in peril, when an evil sorceress takes over the land, and the title role must leave his wife to battle the evil 'witch.' All the cast is great, and the direction of this movie is enchanting. I also enjoyed the epic music score. One of
the best adventure films of all time, Willow is a clever, interesting film of sparkling settings and likeable characters!
A true classic.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Great Fantasy Movie
Review: I loved Willow. It was one of my all time favorite 80's movies. It was one of the first we got with our VCR and I'm so glad it's on DVD. Willow is a magical movie made by two of the all time greats in George Lucas and Ron Howard.

Willow tells the story of the the midget Willow who must help save the world. He has a princess baby that is being hunted and must die according to the evil queen. Willow gets help along the way from Mad Mardigan(Val Kilmer) as they must keep the baby alive and stop the evil queen.

That's the basis of the story in short and sweet detail. It was written by George Lucas, and is basicly Lord of the Rings meets Star Wars. It's fun for the whole family. Lucas is yet to do a movie the whole family can enjoy.

Warwick Davis is amazing in the movie. He plays the lead character Willow. He is a great actor. He has depth and isn't one sided. It's hard to believe after seeing him in this that he later became the Leprachaun in that series of horror movies.

Val Kilmer has one of his all time best performances as Mad Mardigan. He's basicly a fantasy Han Solo. He is the greatest sword fighter to ever live and probaly the greatest womanizer. Val portrays all the great qualties a hero needs. He's charming, helps the weak, funny, sarcastic and he just delivers. It's a must see for Val Kilmer fans.

The action is great in Willow. It's not the blown up special effects you see in Lord of the Rings, but it is great for it's time. The castle sieges are done well and it's great seeing all those guys in armor and on horses. The choeragraphy on the sword play is fantastic and is underrated in Hollywood history.

Willow is a must see for all fantasy movie fans. It's a charming well made movie that is fun for the whole family.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Warwick Davis - you nutty midge
Review: "Willow has everything you could possibly want in a movie: witches, warriors, fantasy, swordfighting, and yes MIDGETS. There is something perverted and sadistic about the concept of Willow. The movie revolves around an entire race of midgets, one of which can bring order out of chaos. God Bless the guy who pitched this movie concept: MIDGET SAVES WORLD IN FREAKY, DISTURBING, THROATY, PHLEGMMY, AND YES, SEXY FASHION. I mean if that's what you're looking for then Willow is the movie for you. And with Val Kilmer adding to this film ..., how could you go wrong. I think this movie would have worked a little better if the Mad Mardigan character kidnapped Willow and made him do whacky things in order to make some money. I don't know, dress him up in a skirt and hit him over the head with a barrel or something mideval like a horse. Now that would have made for a great fantasy film. My biggest problem was that there wasn't the gratuitous midge sex scene. That screams box office smash. Warwick Davis's acting ability can only be compared to Gary Coleman. The one reason that Willow wasn't as memorable as 'Different Strokes' was because it didn't have that money line like "What you talking about Willis?" Easily remedied with Mad Mardigan , in the middle of his swordfighting, turning around to see Willow waving the stick saying "Tu-atha Tu-atha" and saying "What you talking about Willow?" I should have writeen this film. Throw in Conrad BAin and we're talking about an extra mill, easy. In closing if you enjoy watching other peoples shortcomings, no pun intended, then sit back, relax, laugh and watch some crazy, magical, sorcerer midgets run rampant in mideval times. The one thing that made this movie a little too unrealistic was that Ron Howard put midgets in mideval times. Hey Ron, FYI, midgets weren't invented yet! This movie rocks!"

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Plodding along...
Review: I will not reiterate the accusations that "Willow" copied various stories (Lord of the Rings, Star Wars). This seems true, but it wouldn't have mattered much to me had "Willow" been a better movie.

In fact, it's superficially entertaining, and a tad better than most of, say, "Conan the Barbarian" rip-offs. The story had potential, a mix-and-mingle of various stories as it stands, about a little hobbit-like man who must save a baby princess from an evil queen, with the help of a swordsman and various fantasy-characters such as a fairy queen and tiny men, "brownies" of folklore. The acting is adequate, if boggled down by the sometimes cheesy scripting of events.

The biggest problem is that the film is lackluster in presentation, and faulty in pacing. Events follow upon events, but they are often random and unnecessary, and bog the main plot down. For example, the dragon fight, while some people like it, I felt to be unnecessary, not to mention cheesy-looking (by today's standards). The change of heart on the part of the evil Queen's daughter is unconvincing. I recall thinking that the movie would have profited from a tighter story and pacing.

Additionally, the visuals are not particularly impressive. You never get the sense that it's a true fantasy world of its own. Instead, you get a sort of a mix of the ethereal fantasy world of the "Lord of the Ring" and a kind of a waste and wilderness characterizing a pre-medieval "barbarian" world.

In the end, the movie is too long, and rather lackluster, just barely passing as mild entertainment, if you don't mind the B-movie feel to its presentation and story. Worth watching on television; not worth spending too much money on for an expensive DVD edition.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Top five movies of all time list, this one got on easily!
Review: I remember the video we had being so old, with the original box(the plastic one) and soundtrack, that my mom decided to throw it out. I dont know, she loves pissing me off but ehhh.

When I hear this was coming out on dvd I immediately asked my grampa for it for christmas. Bam, popped this baby in and wow. The movie has an excellent picture for such an older film. The sound quality is done in 5.1 dolby so it is excellent. I was surprised that they did such a great job with everything. The extras are alright. Documentaries, they are good though. "The movie mdizzio, hows the movie?" I will answer your question, now...

Perfectly done. I cannot stress how great of a job they did with this movie. The characters are all excellent. I love how they made val kilmer mad mardigan(spelling?). He does a great job portraying a hero like mercenary, gives some good comedy, and doesn't [make you mad] by trying to be the biggest saint around. I like him alot more than Willow. Willow Off-Good is awesome though. Hes a little person, and he isn't the only one. There is a whole big village of little people, they did a wonderful job with the casting and costuming of them.

The plot is pretty good too. There is a baby, the baby will bring down bavmorda, she is like the evil queen of the unholy castle of such and such. She pretty much runs the show over there, and one of her seers has foretold a baby will bring the downfall of her kingdom. That baby gets away with a lady, and washes down stream by a village. Willow's family takes the girl in, and she is so adorable, cute, and crazy man. Anyways, shes only like a few months old or something. So then after an incident, the baby must leave. Willow and friends find Mad Mardigan and eventually, all of Willows companions leave. Mad Mardigan takes the baby in order for his freedom, and Willow soon finds out that he is the true guardian of the baby. So I don't wanna ruin it, but Willow must bring the baby to a good king and queen as the mystical lady says. That good king and queen will look after her, and raise her.

The action and such is done perfectly. The music score combined with the action and such is better. The music isn't sad at all, its more of an adventure sort of thing throughout. Instead of making it a cry/fight film, its a mystical action adventure film. Considering the music is always on the adventure tone, theres plenty of fighting. Only a bit of blood, like when the main characters bleed or theres blood on their swords. However don't let that scare you off, theres sweet action. Actually, theres not alot of sword fighting directly. It's not a main focus point, but they do it, and its in their. Sometimes however, theres a sword fight that they pan in on like with Kale, the bad general, or Mad Mardigan. Lots of horses.

I loved the movie though, I can't say anything else. You buy it, you watch it, and you go, "That was a good movie mdizzio, you were right dog." This movies somewhere on my top 5 favorite movies of all time, a select few can make it on their, namely 5. This one is one of 5. Theres only 4 others on there yo. You gotta see it. Its got comedy, action, a little tiny bit of drama, and the good old fashion sword through the helmet trick(you know that crazy back slash mad mardigan does).

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Willow VHS & DVD ~ Val Kilmer
Review: Val Kilmer is great! this is a verry good show (verry funny)!
I can't wait to get it on DVD!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: NICE TO SEE A SPECIAL EDITION
Review: I have not seen the film since seeing it in the theatres during its original release and I think I will pickup the special edition DVD.

Think of it as Star Wars meets Lord of the Rings, and a few more elements thrown in for good measure. Not an original plot by any means...Evil Queen, heroic warrior, child of prophecy...standard fantasy stuff.

But the performances were all very good. Val Kilmer actually looks excited to be in a movie...a far cry from some of his more recent performances.

The special effects were pretty state-of-the-art for the day and I am wondering how they will hold up this many years later.

All in all, a very well done movie. Action packed, humorous, and fine performances.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: WILLOWWWWW
Review: Following a stint as Opie Cunningham on the
controversial television show "Happy Days", Ron Howard
aimed for bigger things and decided to direct what
some have called "the best movie ever made ever." Yes,
I speak of Willow.

The Willowites are a special people who live by a
river. Their king, "Willow", travels the land with a witch-pig, a floating baby, a hot chick
whose name I forget, a Val Kilmer, and some other guy (with a beard).

There's fairies, violence, snowballs, dragons with testicularized jaws, villains everywhere. Fun for the whole
family. This is better than Lord of the Rings, Mazes
and Monsters, Time Bandits, and The Sound of Music -
combined! It's not better than The Princess Bride, but
they're in the same league.

...

This is the best movie ever made ever.


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