[Disney+] If the first episodes suggest a disappointing transformation of the original story into a kind of artificially inclusive youth adventure, the development ends up defining a series that confuses the parodic tone of adventure stories with a silly sense of humor. There is an obvious lack of budget whose action takes place mainly inside caves and interiors, and with CGI that seems from 90s video games (that final shot). But above all, there is a lack of pace and such bland characters that make the film a masterpiece of adventure cinema, which it obviously is not. They threaten with two more volumes.
On the third episode, I’ve decided that I really can’t stand it. The dialogues are just so bad. Warwick Davis’ talent is wasted here; he seems to be just reading his lines from somewhere. So monotonous. The other actors are trying hard to be funny. I still can’t decide whether this is comedy or fantasy. Ughhh..
As a fan of the original movie, I had high hopes for the series.
Tragically, I’m sorely disappointed :cry:
I’m at a loss to how Disney could have made such an utter mess.
The original movie is funny, magical and told so well. It’s one of my favourite children’s fantasy movies. But, the series hasn’t captured even 10% of what made it so special and loved by so many.
There’s only two people holding the series together and they are of course Warwick Davis and Amar Chadha-Patel.
I’m also disappointed how grumpy they’ve made the character, Willow and well, everyone. Where’s the light hearted comedy?
They’ve literally ignored that unique charm the original film possessed. It’s tragic :cry:
It’s actually difficult to write this review; I know I’ve not paid attention whilst watching, due to boredom. Although at times, even when I felt I’d missed something and rewinded, it still felt as though the story hadn’t been told properly.
Is it just me? Or have they crammed in too much information in a short space of time? 20 years ish has passed and there’s numerous new characters and so many events passed, such a lot of information thrown at us incoherently. They’ve also failed to build up characters, for the audience to bond with.
This may not be a popular opinion, however I do feel they’ve tried too hard and spent too much time trying to be politically correct regarding the LGBTQ community, rather than on the actual story. The relationships come across forced, there’s no chemistry, it all feels too awkward.
I’ve no objection to them having romance in the show, between whoever, after all part of the original film’s magic was the romance between Elora’s parents. But, it was fun and enjoyable, something they failed on epically. Not only on the romance, but overall. It’s actually depressing!
I could go on and on with my disgruntled rant, there’s so much wrong with the show :cry:
Perhaps, if you’ve not had the opportunity to watch the movie, the series may not seem that bad.
However, I do implore you to find the time to watch the film, you will not be disappointed.
Fingers crossed, if there’s a second season, Disney will make a humongous effort to write the wrongs of season one and make any future seasons worthy to be called Willow.
Watched the first 2 episodes. Love it so far. Saw these awful comments and decided to write a review. In 2 episodes there is one scene that has a kiss between 2 female characters. It seemed tasteful and natural for the scene. The people that cannot handle this sort of stuff should stick to Kirk Cameron movies.
This show has the same feel to it that the movie does. I am excited to watch the rest of the series.
Jan 4th Edit --> watched through 6. I still really enjoy it and am loving the adventure.
It looks like the nasty comments have been removed. I left the first comment after seeing 5 or so very nasty ones.
This show is rightfully canceled after the first season.
The show was written to serve a purpose: for the writers to shove their agenda down your throat at the expense of a beloved character and movie. This is obvious in the first two minutes of the first episode.
But it's more than just that, this show has no depth of characters, a cheesy storyline that was an afterthought to the agenda and acting that is on par with silly 80's TV shows - which is to say that the acting, again, was an afterthought and the director of this doesn't even attempt to bring any sense of entertainment to you because this was not the shows primary purpose.
This series had so much potential to be a great piece of fantasy television. Willow was a character we all loved in the movie, the story itself was cute, perhaps corny, but cute. This steaming pile of garbage has no appeal to anyone outside those who applaud agendas.
Top 3 worst things I've ever seen, including tv, movies, plays, sports, diseases, wars, and famines.
Yes, I really had created an appointment in my calendar, but had to quit after the first episode. Mistakenly thought that I am part of the target audience. Not only, but also because of the bad writing & dialogues no fantasy spark can be seen. Sorry.
Was a bit iffy throughout the first half, but the last 3 episodes really got me. I was surprised to find myself adapting my schedule so I could finish it quicker.
Fingers crossed for season 2
I've got to admit, I wasn't keen on this during the first two episodes. The cringe was real, the dialogue abyssimal and most characters/relationships were just ridiculous, over the top or trying to navigate between comedy and drama (and failing). However, I do feel like this found its footing and while the dialogues never quite get better, while the balance of drama/comedy is never impeccable, the ensemble does find its chemistry (some characters being so terribly more annoying than others but you'll just have to make up your mind about that). At first, you may feel this has not the charm of the movie but if you rewatch the movie, it has grown old and has its terrible amount of cheese as well so all in all, this is a really big expansion on the Willow world that's barely in the movie.
Why do people still support Disney+?
They have ruined another great one here...
I really wished it wasnt cancelled.
Yes, it is naive and the acting at the beginning is very out of balance but the last 2 episodes has some very amazing fight scenes and the seriousness finally got to the characters. Still, its a YA story... but I was interested to see more at the end.
It's truly sad and disheartening that the first true fantasy series in many, many years received such pathetically low ratings. A series in which good is good and evil is evil, where love overcomes hardships and victory is not easy.
Now I understand for whom such monstrosities as "Rings of Power" or "House of the Dragon" are being made.
WTF is this show supposed to be? I just finished the last episode and it ends on a crappy cliffhanger. I felt like I was watching a CW high school show. You know the ones where there is a love triangle between like 4 people of different genders. They all want to get a piece but they keep dancing around the actual love stuff in an awkward way. The story just wasn't that great. I mean they could have cut an episode and actually made an adventure series worth watching.
Overall you've got 8 episodes to get to the city and beat the bad guy. It takes 7 episodes to get there, then in the last episode, you sorta accomplish your mission. Then finish up with a cliffhanger ending. As a big fan of the original movie, this series is just frustrating and really not that great.
I'm writing this with 1 episode left of season 1.
Pros
Cons
I doubt this will get a season 2 but it's been fun to enjoy season 1
Reviewing five episodes in. I've found it to be a hella fun show. But better compared against Xena or Legend of the Seeker than against Game of Thrones or Lord of the Rings. It's like if a 1990's made-for-TV program was given a fair Disney budget. It doesn't take itself seriously, and like the source movie, the plot isn't super deep. The plot could be based on someone's D&D campaign based on the movie. But as the show goes on, characters and backstory develops, and so far has just been a fun adventure to tag along on.
It's so dark sometimes I can't see shit. Even watching it in complete darkness I can barely make out whats happening in some scenes. It has nothing to do with my settings, other shows and movies are fine.
A fail. try to be funny with a joke in each scene. This show is a joke itself. New Disney being disney
This show is so bad. The characters make me want to peel my eyes out. So corny and generic. If you want to watch a show full of woke gay couples with unbearable personalities knock yourself out. Might be enjoyable for a 5 year old but that's about it.
I had Willow in my to be watched list since it was released, waiting to do it with my wife. Then I saw the news that is gonna be removed with a bunch of other series an content (really?), so I watched in 5 days.
My humble and honest opinion is... is it the best TV series ever made? No. Was the original Willow the best movie ever? No.
I am very fond of the movie and i enjoyed it as a kid and still enjoy it nowadays! and the tv series is not as good as the movie was but still it was quite enjoyable. It is a 6 - 7,5 type of series, but not all of them can or have to be master pieces. Some media has to be enjoyed as simple bits of adventure, with a bit of nostalgia and the point of view of a child. This is the case for me.
Not a 9 or a 10, and definitely not a 1 or a 2. Something comfy.
This is everything the movie wasn't.
The characters are poor, the story dreadful (is there any humour in it? I've just this minute finished it and I can't remember what's happened and fuck knows what's gannin on with soundtrack.
:heart:x7
I liked this series a lot more than I did the movie. The movie was meant to be a big summer blockbuster but failed.
The series has taken the charm from the movie and made it better. The extra time they had to tell the story also helped. I was pleasantly surprised to see Joanne Whalley as well a f ew others from ths original movie.
Warwick looked and felt like he was really anjoying his time playing the Willow character again. Whether you liked the original movie Willow (1988) or not - I'm sure you will enjoy this series. Here's hoping we get a season 2.
How I rate:
1-3 :heart: = seriously! don't waste your time
4-6 :heart: = you may or may not enjoy this
7-8 :heart: = I expect you will like this too
9-10 :heart: = movies and TV shows I really love!
Metallica cover are popular in tv serie this year, this is the third serie i heard a cover, Paper girls, , Wednesdays and now Willow
Shout by DanielBlockedParent2022-12-08T22:17:12Z
I've watched three episodes and I'm trying to understand the connection of this TV show to the 80's movie I enjoy (Apart from a few name drops). Yes, there are some actors from the original movie. But the plot seems lost and I left wondering what this is all about. I miss the silliness/campiness of Madmartigan (Val Kilmer). The strong female role of Sorsha (Joanne Whalley) and the evilness of Bavmorda (Jean Marsh - FYI Love her!) and finally Willow Ufgood as the native wannabe magic user (Warwick Davis).
There are no likeable characters here and we are left with a weak/non exist storyline. This is classic Disney, taking a well known brand/cult following and milking/ruining it! I hope they don't make another season! But check out the remake of The Equalizer (2021) if you want to see another example of a poor remake. But they keep making season....