Val Kilmer, Joanne Whalley, Warwick Davis

A reluctant dwarf must play a critical role in protecting a special baby from an evil queen.

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76% liked it

218,377 ratings

Critics

48% liked it

25 critics

PG, 2 hrs. 6 min.

Directed by: Ron Howard

Release Date: May 20, 1988

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DVD Release Date: November 27, 2001

Stats: 11,039 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (11,039)


  • July 18, 2009
    Classic tale of good vs evil with great characters and creatures throughout. All the cast are likeable and fit well and make the film quite humerus in places, the Brownies and Madmardigan especially hehe the action is nice and not too brutal, brings back the feeling of old Errol ...( read more)Flynn films in a way with the swords and swashbuckling.
    The main event in this film was the effects in the form of the cgi, first time used in a movie. Looks cheesey now but it was state of the art back then. the Tippet creatures are nice too with the old stop motion effects.
    Classic fantasy and winner.
  • July 4, 2009
    "It is a time of dread..."

    As long back as I can remember, there's two movies that I've loved since my childhood. 'The Goonies' and 'Willow' were these two close to my heart. I recently saw them both, 'Willow' today, and still... The love is there.

    The movie is a wonderful ...( read more)fantasy that takes us to a world were nelwyns (dwarfs) and daikinis (humans) live their own peaceful lifes. A daikini child is born and she is the only one that can defeat the evil sourcerer Bawmorda, who's about to set her own reign of terror to the world. Willow, who finds the child from the river, is the one who's job is to get Elora Danan safe. On his journey, he meets Madmartigan, a talented but not so friendly swordsman. Together, they're off to a great adventure full of magic.

    "Follow the direction of the bird!
    - It's going back to the village!

    Ignore the bird, follow the river..."

    'Willow' is my favourite Ron Howard movie. Sure, now as I saw it for the first time for several years, I noticed some flaws and so on but you have to remember that filmmaking has progressed a lot in 20 years. The special effect, by George Lucas' ILM were at that time amazing. I remember when the two headed beast came from the water, I almost had to change my underpants. Now the effects may seem a bit dated but so what. The magic is still there.

    As a curiosity, 'Willow' was the film that united Val Kilmer (Madmartigan) and Joanna Whalley, who plays the evil sorcerer's daughter Sorsha. Movies can do magic. Well, their love didn't last forever but can it really?

    'Willow', despite that it is a bit aged, works wonderfully. The pacing of the film is good and the story develops nicely. The actors, especially Warwick Davis (Willow) and Val Kilmer perform well. Kevin Pollak plays a small but important role as a beer loving brownie.

    So what do you get of 'Willow'? A classic that will surely give you an exciting 2 hour. For me, this film will always have a special place in my film reel shaped heart.
  • November 28, 2008
    Madmartigan: Did I really... Did I really say those things, last night, in your tent?
    Sorsha: You said you loved me.
    Madmartigan: I don't remember that.
    Sorsha: You lied to me.
    Madmartigan: No, I... I just wasn't myself last night.
    Sorsha<
    ...( read more)/b>: I suppose my power enchanted you and you were helpless against it.
    Madmartigan: Sort of.
    Sorsha: Then what?
    Madmartigan: It... went away.
    Sorsha: Went away? "I dwell in darkness without you" and it *went away*?


    A reluctant dwarf must play a critical role in protecting a special baby from an evil queen.

    Val Kilmer: Madmartigan

    Joanne Whalley: Sorsha

    Warwick Davis: Willow Ufgood

    Directed by Ron Howard and written by George Lucas, this still remains one of the best fantasy movies from my childhood. Still amazing how good it is even when watching now.

    Val Kilmer is so young in it as Madmartigan and shines with energetic vitality and charisma.
    Warwick Davis, Joanne Whalley and Jean Marsh all perform their respective characters amazingly.

    The music soulful, tingling and uplifting. The adventure fun and nicely paced. Full of imagination and magic. This film has a timeless magic to it that will always be a fave of mine.

    A perfect blend of Fantasy and Romance. With a heart thats larger than life.

    Classic.
  • September 8, 2008
    Not nearly good as I remember it. Good sword fighting though.
  • May 28, 2008
    Willow: See this acorn? I'll throw it at you and turn you to stone!
    Madmartigan: Ooh, I'm really scared. No! Don't! There's a- a peck here with an acorn pointed at me!

    A fun movie. Plays like a greatest hits collection of other fantasy movies, made better from the whole thing n...( read more)ot taking itself too seriously, and of course Val Kilmer, the fantastic score from James Horner, and some effects that still hold up pretty well today all help in making this a fun childhood style classic.

    From a story by George Lucas and directed by Ron Howard, short actor Warwick Davis, who is known mainly as either the lead Ewok or the Leprechaun, stars as Willow, a young dwarf who is tasked with finding the proper place for an abandoned child. This leads to an epic quest of course, full of magic, swordplay, monsters, and romance.

    As mentioned, the story is not exactly original, Lucas himself originally wanted to adapt the Hobbit, but couldn't get the rights, but its made up for by its charming nature...and Val Kilmer.

    Kilmer really does do a great job in this movie. He is funny but also good as a confident hero. Davis is equally good, working outside the constraints of a creature costume.

    Its a very enjoyable movie, even if it may seem corny at times.

    Madmartigan: What the hell happened up there?
    Willow: You started spouting poetry. "I love you Sorsha! I worship you Sorsha!" You almost got us killed!
    Madmartigan: "I love you Sorsha?" I don't love her, she kicked me in the face! I hate her... Don't I?
  • November 17, 2009
    Another classic of my childhood. These are the movies I will never forget
  • November 10, 2009
    Loved it and should watch it again. Madmadigan was an interesting hero
  • November 8, 2009
    Better than expected. Though, still, it wasn't great. It's just a fun popcorn film to watch once or twice. The score was amazing, it's probably James Horner's best. Really, all of the technical stuff were well done (effects, cinematography, editing, etc) for that time. The ending...( read more) battle scene was brilliant for that time (especially the effects).

    Val Kilmer, even though I always thought of him as a bad actor (probably cos of Batman), was so good that it made think, "he should've been cast as Dunbar in Dances with Wolves". He was good both with humor and seriousness.

    I thought the brownies were annoying and the plot was a little cliched (evil queen, someone is the target, a quest, etc).
  • November 3, 2009
    awesome 80s flick one of Kilmers best
  • October 30, 2009
    Another entertaining 80s fantasy, in the likes of Krull and Excalibur, but better than both, although not by much. Some very magical moments, some endearing characters, and an enchanting adventure. Perfect for fans of the classic fantasy formula. I especially enjoyed the design o...( read more)f the world, and the new races such as the Nelwyn and the Brownies. Considering the calm pace of the movie up to that point, I was impressed with the climactic conclusion. And it had a perfect ending, which you always need in a fantasy, in my opinion.

Critic Reviews


January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

At the story level, Willow is turgid and relentlessly predictable. full review

View more Willow reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • jamesraveon
    February 6, 2008
    this film is the most best film ever there is no other film like it. there never will be.
  • berenpurple
    April 13, 2007
    it is a beutiful movie its actually one of my favorites
  • dawslu
    October 8, 2006
    Absolute crap...coming to a bargain bin near you....

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Willow Trivia


  • Which of these names was NOT a character in the movie Underworld?  Answer »
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