What is fantasy?

I believe it is the ability of the mind to create something that doesn't exist and probably will never exist yet seems real. By that definition, Willow is an excellent fantasy. It is also one of my favorite movies and is in the top five of my all time fantasy movies.

Willow Ufgoode (excellent job by Warwick Davis), the title character and reluctant hero, is an Elwin who is more concerned with becoming a magician's apprentice and planting his crops than saving the world. That all changes when his children find a baby in a basket at the river. Despite his orders to his family: "No one is to love this baby!", he finds himself the guardian and protector of this Daikini infant and falling in love with her himself.

However, viewers know that this baby is Elora Danin, the child prophesied to end the evil reign of Queen Bavmorda (wickedly good job by Jean Marsh). Of course, Bavmorda, being an evil queen, isn't going to take this sitting down. She's killed Elora's mother. It was only the midwife's compassion that spared Elora and ended up with the child ala Moses, being sent down river to end up on the banks of Willow's farm.

The Elwins, what some might call dwarves, live apart from the Daikinis, what some might call our sized people. At the spring festival, however, hellish hounds from Bavmorda's private collection attack and Willow reluctantly brings the child forward.

It is decided by the High Elwin that the child should be taken on a journey across the land to the Daikini crossroads and given to the first person they meet. That is Madmartigan (Val Kilmer) and the only hitch is that he's in a suspended cage, left to die for crimes we never hear about. Left by the rest of their party, Willow and his friend, Meegosh (David Steinberg)can find no one else to take the infant and reluctantly free Madmartigan.

On their way home, this turns out to be a huge mistake as the babe is now kidnapped by brownies (beings even smaller than Willow and the Elwins). Willow, no longer reluctant, chases after them and he and Meegosh are taken captive by the brownies. Only the fairies' intervention saves them. Cherlindrea (Maria Holvoe) tells them of Elora Dannin and that she, the baby, has chosen Willow to be her protector. If he chooses, he can help by taking the baby and Cherlinda's wand to free another sorceress, Fin Raziel (Patricia Hayes) who can fight Bavmorda and save the infant once and for all.

Will Willow take this challenge or will he decide to return home and plant his crops? Well, if he chose the latter, the movie would end here and the fun is just beginning. Eventually, he and Madmartigan will end up fighting trolls, Bavmorda's evil army, and Bavmorda's daughter, the red-headly beautiful Sorsha (Joanne Whalley).

What's Good

To start with, Willow is the perfect reluctant hero. He only wishes to be a good husband, a good father, and learn magic. He's really not interested in saving the world. He readily admits, in a world where size does matter, he's short--even for an Elwyn. Yet, he is a hero--a person who no matter how reluctant will risk his life for what he believes in. His belief begins only in his family. His love for his wife and children is never in question, but eventually grows to include Elora Danan, Madmartigan, and others.

The action scenes and the fight scenes are particularly good, with Madmartigan showing his hero stuff. Even dated, the special effects and monsters still hold up and aren't laughable faced with today's Computer Generated Images that are so popular.

However, one of the most impressive things is the camera angles employed by director Ron Howard. Most of the time, the cameras are rolling from Willow's level, thusly making him far more human and the challenges he faces far greater. You probably won't even notice it on first viewings, but it is impressive and adds greatly to the film.

The acting is some of the best seen in a fantasy with Davis showing the impatience, longing, and love inside Willow--despite his bluff and bluster. The sets are extremely effective, especially in Willow's village. The Elwyn fair is shown in a rollicking, Renaissance manner. Yet subsequent scenes, especially in Bavmorda's castle are creepy.

There is comedy, drama, action, and yes, even a love story involving Madmartigan and Sorscha. The fantasy elements are incorporated nicely, with the spells Willow tries to cast often providing the resulting mood.

The Bad

Gee, wishing it were longer or had a sequel or two isn't really a bad thing and doesn't belong in this category. I could point out the music at the Elwyn fair reminds me greatly of that Cantina in Star Wars--alien yet familiar. It's not bad, just that we've seen it before in another George Lucas story and understand the story behind it.

I suppose my only problem with Lucas's story is the conversion of Sorscha. It's not that she turns to the good guys, it's just that it happens so quickly. However Kilmer and Whalley actually did meet and fall in love in production of this movie. Still, it feels as if a scene or two showing why Sorscha turned is missing.

Lisa's Final Thoughts

I own this on VHS. Should I get a chance for a DVD copy, I'm jumping on it! This is one of those movies that will appeal to the entire family. Some of the violence, especially knowing Elnora's mother was killed, might be too much for the youngest of children, but that's for the parents to decide.

I can't give stars on this because too many things would have to be included especially the scenes trying to change Fin Razeal back to human form! Priceless.

I can't take away stars, because The Bad really isn't bad enough to justify removing half a star. Why this film was largely ignored when released and not heralded as one of the greatest fantasy films of all time is beyond me. If you haven't seen it, get it today. If you have, it's time for a repeat screening.

I realize when I re-read this at a later date, I'm going to be rather upset I left some things out. That's a good excuse to run it again tonight, don't you think?

Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Good for Groups
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children up Ages 8