Over 30 years since the release of the original Lucasfilm classic, Willow arrives in 2022 as a new episodic series on Disney+. The onetime farmer Willow Ufgood has become a noted sorcerer and encounters a group of young heroes on a dangerous quest. Full of wonders and adventure, the series joins original cast and crew with new contributors to expand the beloved fantasy world.
Willow stars Warwick Davis in the title role, as well as Ellie Bamber, Ruby Cruz, Erin Kellyman, Tony Revolori, Amar Chadha-Patel, Dempsey Bryk, and Joanne Whalley. Kathleen Kennedy, Michelle Rejwan, Jonathan Kasdan, Tommy Harper, Wendy Mericle, Roopesh Parekh, Ron Howard, and Samie Kim Falvey serve as executive producers. Writers are John Bickerstaff, Hannah Friedman, and Jonathan Kasdan. The producers are Stephen Woolfenden, Julia Cooperman, Hameed Shaukat, and Max Taylor.
Starring:Â Warwick Davis, Erin Kellyman, Ellie Bamber, Tony Revolori, Ruby Cruz, Amer Chadha-Patel, Dempsey Bryk, Joanne Whalley
Composers:Â James Newton Howard, Xander Rodzinski
Executive producers:Â Ron Howard, Brian Grazer, Jonathan Kasdan, Kathleen Kennedy, Wendy Mericle, Roopesh Parekh, Michelle Rejwan
Producer:Â Julia Cooperman
Director: Jamie Childs
And now we have reached the end of the journey. Eight episodes ago, it started in Tir Asleen, and now in the Immemorial City, Elora Danan and Kit Tanthalos have arrived to rescue Kit’s twin brother, Airk, from the evil Crone. Little do they know that AIrk is under the spell of the Crone, who currently takes the form of a young woman named Lili. Meanwhile, Willow Ufgood and his companions, Thraxus Boorman, Prince Graydon, and Jade, stand at the edge of the Shattered Sea, deciding their next steps. The fate of Tir Asleen depends on these six brave warriors. But all eyes are on the future empress of Tir Asleen, Elora Danan.
Elora (Ellie Bamber) finally realized her full potential in Children of the Wyrm. Witnessing Elora’s progression from kitchen maid to a powerful sorceress, although choppy at times, was, in the end, pretty satisfying. Ellie Bamber deserves a lot of credit for her portrayal of a character whose only other onscreen appearance was as a newborn baby.
Willow was not without its hiccups. Fans of the series loved how it represented great queer characters. Willow was fun, action-packed, touching, and modern, but the story suffered at times with pacing, editing, and writing. Willow started off strong with the first two episodes, lagged slightly in the middle, but came back strong at the end. Nevertheless, I admire Willow for its daring to be a joy to watch without sacrificing its identity.
Despite Boorman’s inane silliness, he does come around in the end. Like Willow (Warwick Davis) said, Boorman is brave and loyal, and even if he won’t admit it, he knows there is something larger than himself worth fighting for. Jade (Erin Kellyman) is a determined and brave knight willing to fight for the safety of the ones she loves. Prince Graydon (Tony Revolori) is a humble prince/sorcerer who wants what’s good for his friends, especially Elora. Together, they made a motley crew. They hated each other, argued, fought, called each other names, and disrespected each other. But in the end, they stuck together.
Airk and The Crone attempt to corrupt Elora and Kit in order to bring them over to the proverbial dark side with veiled promises. Kit then hears her father’s voice telling her she needs to protect Elora, which helps her snap out of it. With the gang in the belly of the whale, things begin to crumble. The Crone turns Kit to stone, and the rest follow. In a dreamlike world, Elora nearly marries Airk but denies his kiss and basically tells the Crone to piss off. Willow returns and blasts The Crone, waking up Elora and resurrecting her friends.
The Crone, now in her natural form, appears with her minions. The Crone quickly disposes of Graydon (for now). This sets Elora off. She’s done playing games. The Crone, meanwhile, is pretty nightmarish. She resembles a decaying corpse with long strands of gray hair and claws (Google Darth Maul concept art, and you’ll see what I mean). The fight in the Immemorial City strongly resembles the duel between Obi-Wan and Anakin on Mustafar, and Rey, Ben, and Palpatine on Exegol. Even down to the green and red blasts of magic which could’ve been light-side and dark-side lightsabers. Continuing on that path, Kit and Airk dueling is the mirror image of Jaina and Jacen fighting in Legacy of the Force: Invincible (2008).
I’m so glad Willow ended on such a strong note. When it was first announced, I was super excited about it, as the original movie was part of my early teen years. I didn’t love it as much as some, but I didn’t dislike it either. I’d recommend it to fantasy lovers, but I’d say have an open mind and don’t take it too seriously. Before the credits roll, Graydon wakes in the realm and speaks to the Wyrm in Elora’s form. The Wyrm preys on Graydon’s weakness for Elora and asks him to join in their conquest.
And that wraps up Volume I of Willow. The book is closed and placed on the shelf next to volumes II and III. Does this confirm two more seasons with these guys? I hope so. I’d like to see where this story goes and maybe look back on parts of this season with a new perspective.
- Hardcover Book
- Davis, Warwick (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 416 Pages - 11/01/2011 (Publication Date) - Trade Paper Press (Publisher)