So next Wednesday, 30 November Disney+ offer us a latter day sequel TV series to Willow.
Now…that’s a film I have a certain affinity for, as it was one of the first VHS I ever bought for myself. And it’s a pretty decent 80’s sword and sorcery flick. And as a result, whilst not exactly as fanatical as my love for Star Wars, I’ve mild hype building for the TV series.
On the wider scene, I’m not sure it’s in itself something that’ll get people signed up to Disney+ in the way The Mandalorian did, as Willow just doesn’t have the same cultural clout.
I don't even remember when I watched Willow, but I'd be surprised if it was in this century. Is the movie on Disney+ as well? May be worth catching up as my memory of it is really dim.
I don't even remember when I watched Willow, but I'd be surprised if it was in this century. Is the movie on Disney+ as well? May be worth catching up as my memory of it is really dim.
I'll be watching as I also have an affinity for the movie, although it's a shame that cast members like Jean Marsh, Patricia Hayes etc obviously won't be in it.
I think even Warwick Davis' screen time may even be limited as it's supposedly passing on the torch to a new cast.
But, I think there is a lot they could do with it and let's be honest, decent fantasy shows are few and far between at the moment so fingers crossed they get this right.
I don't even remember when I watched Willow, but I'd be surprised if it was in this century. Is the movie on Disney+ as well? May be worth catching up as my memory of it is really dim.
It is in the U.K.
Well then, I might just have a look in the next few days.
Yes into hindsight the movie is a bit hokey and has "of its time" f/x, but it was still a wonderful effort at a hobbit/lotr style movie before about such things were really practical, and comedy Val Kilmer is the best Val Kilmer, (and despite him not being a well man I really hope they find a way to somehow include him) and Joanne was verymuch teen Turnips cup of tea
I really want this to be good, hopefully the slightly silly fairytale vibe carrys into the show
Wondering if the general (and comparative!) lack of expectation is a surprise boon.
I mean, Star Wars, Star Trek, Middle Earth etc all carry considerable weight of expectation, because they were so formative for so many people, and across different generations.
Willow, whilst seemingly respected as a decent, family friendly fantasy romp is just, well, Willow. A one and done bit of fun that folk enjoyed well enough, and is pleasant enough for for the odd rewatch. And so nobody has set expectations?
The trailers are making it look rather more serious than the original film… hopefully that does not turn out to be the case. For me Willow was at its best being as light hearted as Princess Bride. And I agree, comedy Val Kilmer is the best Val Kilmer as well as Joanne being very much a younger GG‘s cup of tea.
Grumpy Gnome wrote: The trailers are making it look rather more serious than the original film… hopefully that does not turn out to be the case. For me Willow was at its best being as light hearted as Princess Bride. And I agree, comedy Val Kilmer is the best Val Kilmer as well as Joanne being very much a younger GG‘s cup of tea.
Man, may have to rewatch it. I don’t remember it being that level of comedy. But again, decades.
Grumpy Gnome wrote: The trailers are making it look rather more serious than the original film… hopefully that does not turn out to be the case. For me Willow was at its best being as light hearted as Princess Bride. And I agree, comedy Val Kilmer is the best Val Kilmer as well as Joanne being very much a younger GG‘s cup of tea.
Man, may have to rewatch it. I don’t remember it being that level of comedy. But again, decades.
There’s definitely a decent vein of comedy running through it, despite it having some really quite impressive battle scenes. In fact, impressive brutal battle scenes given the certificate they got.
I've had time to watch the movie last night and now consider myself fully educated on all things Willow. I'm now prepared to sing praises or spit bile as required when the show is on.
Side note, I completely forgot about him, but the village wizard is just hilarious and the show needs one in kind or it just won't be the same.
I actually put it on the other day to get ready for this and my kids (8 and 12) both got sucked in and managed to stay up past their bedtime enjoying it with me. The updating/enhancing was really excellent and the only thing that truly stuck out as "of it's time" was the moat monster and some of the magic.
I'm really excited for this. I loved Willow as a kid and I'm pretty sure Sorsha started my redhead fetish like so many of my generation. The preview looks in the same vein.
Also the movie wasn't to over the top silly. It was closer to the more reserved marvel movies.
We watched the first episode last night. We liked it. It was more fun than the trailer made us think it would be. I like the main characters more than Mrs. GG does… but at times even I think they can be annoying. The costuming is a bit underwhelming. You can see money/effort was made but not enough distressing and too many generic fantasy elements giving it sometimes something of a larp costuming feel, albeit expensive larp costume.
I thought the writing and directing we pretty tight. Dialogue was a bit contemporary and accents all over the place but you can get away with that in a light hearted and overtly fantasy film like this.
Spoiler:
The stream of brave but incompetent guards kind of annoyed me. Was there even one archer in the attack scene?
I found the 2 episodes to be okay. My main complaint is the rather horrid ending titles music for both episodes. The show does suffer from looking and sounding (dialogue wise) contemporary. There has been some odd creative choices made regarding this show.
Curious. Did people expect there to be fake medieval parlance? I don't remember any in the movie. If anything the show doesn't sound half as American as you would have expected.
Geifer wrote: Curious. Did people expect there to be fake medieval parlance? I don't remember any in the movie. If anything the show doesn't sound half as American as you would have expected.
The stream of brave but incompetent guards kind of annoyed me. Was there even one archer in the attack scene?
Spoiler:
Maybe they actually know what they're doing by eschewing bows? The reavers had bowmen and they did more harm than good.
I was not looking to hear “ye olde speake” but I think the movie has less modern sounding slang terms in it. As for accents, to me there appeared no rhyme or reason for who did and who did not have various accents. Again, I was looking a This compared to the original movie, ie Brownie accents.
Hmm, I'm going to have to pay more attention to slang.
Accents are an interesting question. Did they just cast whoever or did they want to fill their haven with a variety of folks to represent the whole barrier and refuge thing? Could be either. Could be both.
Brownies, yeah. I thought that was it in the movie, and we haven't seen any in the show, so there's that. My memory of the movie is terrible with regard to things that I did not pay active attention to.
Honestly after a bit of grumbling at the start now I don't mind the accents being all over the place, as it was the same with the movie, with characters like Madmartigan having absolutely none. At least Willow, unlike things like Rings of Power or Wheel of Time, doesn't have to be judged by how badly it adapts an existing story.
I was originally pining over how it doesn't follow the novels at all, but once again, it would have just been a crappy adaptation, as is EVERYTHING nowadays. This way it's free to go where it needs to.
But I still feel a bit let down by the costuming and overall "look", when fantasy shows like Merlin can do so much better, years earlier and without the nigh- bottomless pockets of The Mouse.
Mrs. GG and I finished episode 2 last night. I enjoyed it more than she did.
My complaint about accents is really quite minor compared to how much Wheel of Time was overall terrible. I have a stronger dislike for the costuming. I can not say it is categorically bad. The plate armor looked like actual metal plate, even if fantastically extravagant. It is a fantasy show after all. But I just so often do not like the aesthetics of the design choices. There were times it reminded me too much of the Shannara TV series.
Spoiler:
Like the use of blue denim for Willow in some of the flashbacks.
I love Willow himself, such a fun and wonderfully flawed character. Another character that reminds me of myself. His daughter is pretty cool too.
Spoiler:
I was disappointed that she did not join the party but hope she later joins them. Where are Willow‘s wife and son?
Given I watched the original Willow not long before I left for Basic Training, it is quite sobering to see how some of the actors have aged. Magnified by the flashbacks in the show.
The in-universe time jump is 20 years, as opposed to the real world gap of 30 ish, so the cast are all about right, relatively speaking, and by the time the older characters get to the age they are, the difference isn't going to really show.
I'm surprised people aren't commenting more on how risible Davis' acting is? I mean, he wasn't great in the first one, but he's had plenty of time to improve since then, and if anything has gone backwards. Some of the dialogue delivery is so stilted it's painful. Or are people just accepting it as inevitable and giving him a pass for the sake of nostalgia?
Was okay, but that's kind of damning with faint praise as was optimistically hoping for a bit more
Also seems a bit mean of Rayzell and Sherlindrea to not include the village inside the wibblywobbly as seems some horrid happened to Kaya and Ranann and the wee folk in general
After two first episodes, I must say that I am really enjoying it. It was fun to see some references to the old movie like the infamous ''finger test''. Boorman is my favourite character so far.
I like the way that when someone starts to do something heroic, the fanfare from the films starts, and then stops when what ever they do doesn't work, gets parried or misses.
Nice call back and reminds us they are not quite the hero's they could be yet, but they are getting there...
Yes, that was curious. I wonder if they're trying to bamboozle me. The outfits are so obviously out of place, how wouldn't I think they're actually going somewhere with it. Wonder if that's true or they just did it for the laughs.
I like that they're going with retro creature design, though. That's nice.
Shadow Walker wrote: 3rd episode is the weakest so far. What was even the point of the two woodswomen, and why on earth are they wearing clothes from the western?
No idea on the Western costumes. They put Mrs. GG and I right off… like the denim overalls Willow wore in one of the flashbacks.
As for the point of those two characters….
Spoiler:
…only the writers and director really know but I would guess they were designed to do a few things… such as introduce a sense of overburdened responsibility for Elora, to show the power of her legendary status on common folks, to show just how supernaturally tough the Commander had become, to add another fight scene (her axe work was pretty good but she and some jokes, to show how ruthless the enemy can be in unnecessarily killing helpless people. And that is just off the top of my head. But the costumes confused me. I really do not understand what Message the costumer and director are trying to say with those designs.
I also do not understand why Willow is being so rude to the Prince. Much of Willow's awkwardness makes sense to me but not that bit.
I also do not understand why Willow is being so rude to the Prince. Much of Willow's awkwardness makes sense to me but not that bit.
Spoiler:
I think with the visions he has Willow feels the burden of guiding Elora to her destiny very keenly, and the prince isn't the most useful or competent. Even by his own admission. Willow just can't allow someone like that to proceed to be useless as that might invite disaster, so asks more than the prince can deliver and gets upset when he predictably fails.
When the prince does the magic exposition it might be exactly what it sounds like in the scene where Willow asks him if he's the High Aldwin (or however it's phrased). Younger Willow wanted to become apprentice to the previous one and actually earned it, and then for the next twenty years when it came to questions about the arcane, he was the one to provide an answer. He's not used to competition, much less some random kid with dubious experience, when by all rights he is the authority in the field.
Taking it out on other people is a bit of a theme with the characters in the group. They're all very confident in their own skills and won't just let anyone with what they think is lesser understanding question their methods or decisions. I find it pretty funny, too. It reminds me of an RPG group I was in. Good people, mind you, but ones who all decided to play... eccentric characters at the same time, leaving one guy to do all the cat herding.
I'm fairly sure that cowboy hat dungarees axe lady (to give her her full title) may have more to her than meets the eye, as under all that grime is the lovely in every sense Hannah Waddingham.
As cameos go that's not by any means earth shattering, but given where she's at in her career, unless she or her daughter are fans of the franchise, I find it moderately unlikely she'd take that job, unless it was a quick half day between Ted Lasso shoots or something.
I also do not understand why Willow is being so rude to the Prince. Much of Willow's awkwardness makes sense to me but not that bit.
Spoiler:
I think with the visions he has Willow feels the burden of guiding Elora to her destiny very keenly, and the prince isn't the most useful or competent. Even by his own admission. Willow just can't allow someone like that to proceed to be useless as that might invite disaster, so asks more than the prince can deliver and gets upset when he predictably fails.
When the prince does the magic exposition it might be exactly what it sounds like in the scene where Willow asks him if he's the High Aldwin (or however it's phrased). Younger Willow wanted to become apprentice to the previous one and actually earned it, and then for the next twenty years when it came to questions about the arcane, he was the one to provide an answer. He's not used to competition, much less some random kid with dubious experience, when by all rights he is the authority in the field.
Taking it out on other people is a bit of a theme with the characters in the group. They're all very confident in their own skills and won't just let anyone with what they think is lesser understanding question their methods or decisions. I find it pretty funny, too. It reminds me of an RPG group I was in. Good people, mind you, but ones who all decided to play... eccentric characters at the same time, leaving one guy to do all the cat herding.
Spoiler:
I can see Willow being insecure but his short temper with the Prince just feels a bit out of place. I can see Willow getting irked with Elora not being the magic quick fix he expected but the Prince has proven to be pretty knowledgeable when it comes to the arcane. You would think that would surprise Willow and capture his attention not be dismissive of him, especially as Willow has not proven him wrong so far. And the Prince has not been arrogant or overconfident about his education.
The group does indeed feel like an RPG group, especially with some of the dialogue.
At this point it seems ok to watch but not a classic like the original movie.
Azreal13 wrote: I'm fairly sure that cowboy hat dungarees axe lady (to give her her full title) may have more to her than meets the eye, as under all that grime is the lovely in every sense Hannah Waddingham.
As cameos go that's not by any means earth shattering, but given where she's at in her career, unless she or her daughter are fans of the franchise, I find it moderately unlikely she'd take that job, unless it was a quick half day between Ted Lasso shoots or something.
Apparently she asked for a role
“I had this idea very early on that when Elora escaped from the knights of Tir Asleen... she would have a brief detour somewhere that felt too good to be true,” Kasdan told io9. “And what we thought of was this lovely little campsite and these two women who were funny and sort of a joy to be around. Very much in the spirit of Willow characters where they’re eccentric in sort of a slightly self-involved [way] and live in their own universe a little bit. And that emerged as a storyline.”
“And when we were searching out who to play that part, Hannah was another person who sort of raised her hand and said, ‘I love this stuff. Put me in there, give me anything I can. As long as I get to fight, I’m down,’” Kasdan continued. “And of course, she came in, she blew us all away, and we ...... wondered how we might potentially bring her back.”
It’s a good deal more targeted to Young Adult than Family than I was expecting. Some of the fight scenes can be quite scary, and I’d say the baddies are among its strong points.
Overall, it’s on the right side of mediocre. It’s definitely good, but as with other stuff I’ve watched, it’s stopping short of great.
What isn’t working for me is the use of Poptastic Pop Song from the Hit Parade as the end credit music. It’s just…jarring. It doesn’t bleed over into the show too much, but it snaps me out the feel of the show enough that I don’t start reflecting on what I just saw.
It’s a bit Zack Snyder, in that they take a mood or genre and try to match it to a song because the song title matches the name of the genre or mood (ref The Cranberries “Zombie”. A deeply political song about the Troubles in Northern Ireland put to use for a Zombie Movie, because both use the term Zombie)
Overall I am enjoying it. I just wish it had a wee bit spit and polish, and Warwick David put a bit more oomph into his lines.
High points? I really, really like the fight scenes. Last episode suffered a bit from Too Dark To Really See, but they are decently choreographed.
Boorman is probably my favourite character. He reminds me of Madmartagan, but with a dash of Nandor and Laszlo from What We Do In The Shadows.
I actually liked how and when they started Enter Sandman in the last episode. Put a smile on my face, whereas the denim outfits are just jarring no matter what angle I try.
Much tighter in plot and tone. Strong bit of back story for Bavmorda too.
Very decent Haunted House feel to Nockmarr, and some appreciated flashbacks. Plus General Curly Kale makes a cameo, that’s always going to entertain. And it’s not exactly ‘member berries due to the theme of the episode.
Boorman remains my favourite, but we got some decent acting (at last?) from all involved. And being the halfway point, it feels like it’s grown into its own skin somewhat, to the point I’m now hoping we get a second series.
I am not enjoying it as much as I want to… I think because I keep unconsciously comparing it to the movie. It is decent enough, it is entertaining, but my immersion keeps getting broken by things (dialogue with starkly contemporary phrases mostly) that seem quite LARP or pen & paper RPG feeling. Mrs. GG made a comment midshow about Boorman clearly not rolling high enough on his lockpicking attempts. But it made us laugh a few times and Mrs. GG is starting to warm up to the characters so now we can both say we like the characters overall, even when we like disliking them. If that makes sense.
But yeah, if it continues like this we would watch another season.
The woods ladies were definitely odd. I got a very Tom Bombadil sort of vibe from them and was expecting more that what we ended up with. Like how their hut was bright and sunny when she stumbled on it despite the overcast magical storm she had been running thru, and then right back to overcast when she leaves it.
Honestly the outfits don’t bother me in the slightest though, that kind of thing doesn’t register in my head because it’s the sort of thing I expect to see a person of that role in even if it’s not period accurate material.
So we have 3 episodes left? Either there will be a second season or the ending = rescue of the prince and fight with the crone will be very very rushed.
I mean, this is a not-particularly-asked-for continuation of a broadly well regarded, but not exactly beloved, film from the 80’s.
So in terms of setting the scene and exploring the world it’s doing far more heavy lifting than say, a Star Wars or Marvel series has to do.
And it’s….not doing a bad job. Not a great job I’d say. But definitely not a bad job.
It’s identity issues (is it serious? Is it silly or just light hearted? Does it want to use a classical score, or songs from the Hit Parade?) haven’t really helped me as an audience member get particularly invested. But having said that, I have enjoyed every episode, and look forward to each in turn. But it’s not quite “8 a.m. on a Wednesday. Stuff work I’m watching telly” looking forward.
If we do get a second season, I’m hoping they do so having settled on a tone. Those demonstrated so far have been competently executed - it just needs to, y’know, pick one as the central tone.
Well, I'm enjoying it. It's fun and I like the characters. I'm sure I could find things to criticize, but you know, I really don't feel like doing that.
I have to say, whatever else is going on, the character interactions are a highlight to me. As long as they keep that going I'm happy.
I have to say that both Mad Doc and Geifer pretty much summed up my opinion of this show. It's a bit all over the place in terms of style. It does seem to be mostly light hearted and upbeat, but did do some suspense pretty well in episode 4 and I'm not a fan of contemporary music. What I love the most about the show is the characters which are all interesting and fairly well act. While this show certainly isn't great it is fun.
epronovost wrote: I have to say that both Mad Doc and Geifer pretty much summed up my opinion of this show. It's a bit all over the place in terms of style. It does seem to be mostly light hearted and upbeat, but did do some suspense pretty well in episode 4 and I'm not a fan of contemporary music. What I love the most about the show is the characters which are all interesting and fairly well act. While this show certainly isn't great it is fun.
Have to say im very dissapointed in this..
Me and my mrs watched the film as the series was out.
I think it started out ok but went nosedive after the first episode. We haven't even watched the latest episode(6 i think) and the one before we were laughing that we couldn't even recall what it was about!! There are so many plot holes/ inconsistencies and pointless dialogue its really hard to follow and I think I was on my phone for most of it.
Probably. The setting seems to have plenty of magic bound to physical items. I imagine a proper wizard thinks of his collection of arcane items the same way as a knife-happy rogue thinks of all his shiny blades, as something that's stashed away in multiples in pockets, pouches and quick draw holsters until you can't move anymore under all that weight.
It is fairly dinky to be honest. A funnel with no visible external fuel source isn’t going to be particularly taxing to stash about one’s person.
And, the film establishes Willow as bloody good of sleight of hand, I don’t think it taxes let alone breaks credibility he’d have such things neatly hidden in his togs?
Also, given the original High Aldwyn’s implicit trickery (the bones say nothing, ignore the bird, follow the road, power being in one’s own hand) very inkeeping with the established background. Was it magical? Or technological? Doesn’t really matter in context. It works, and it did the job.
The external fuel source was Definitely under his cloak, there was a hose running from it to back there, thus my comment it’s probably been back there the whole time.
Kit's bro obviously drank the yellow juice. Can't blame him, it might just beat dying of thirst.
What about Kit? She broke through the amber crust. Is that plain old water underneath or also yellow juice that she might have ingested while drowning?
Anyone reckon they're going somewhere with that or is it me overthinking things?
It still remains all over the shop. But this is a fun show. It’s not trying to be dark and gritty, or ironic, or anything other than the fun.
It is definitely all over the shop… the characterization of the trolls really confused me. But yeah, since it is all over the place I feel as a viewer that I do not need to take it very seriously and just have fun with the bits I enjoy while glossing over bits I don't.
Spoiler:
For example I really like Christian Slater so his character, thin as it is, was quite fun while he lasted. When he slipped and fell at one point after running through a doorway, while making inane comments, I thought “we become the masks we wear and he really has become Madmartigan.” From the urbane personality of the Troll leader (satirical jab at Jackson‘s Goblin King in the Hobbit?) to the yellow “distilled evil” fluid (I kept thinking of Time Bandits at this point) it was all rather silly but it was also admittedly fun.
Which was quite jarring with the not-fun weird shouting match scene between Kit and Elora. I am rather tired of Kit and her “daddy issues” as well as Elora's self loathing insecurity. I can see why Willow is always so grumpy.
Geifer I suspect you are in to something with the distilled evil. And I am pretty sure that woman is the Crone… but this show can be unpredictable at times.
Which was quite jarring with the not-fun weird shouting match scene between Kit and Elora. I am rather tired of Kit and her “daddy issues” as well as Elora's self loathing insecurity. I can see why Willow is always so grumpy.
Spoiler:
I don't think they have a choice with Elora. As much as the show and the movie are called Willow, she's the chosen one who is supposed to bring balance to the Force nuke evil as the ultimate sorceress with the power of prophecy or something. It's not unexpected that she can't have substantial powers until the end of the show or else she's just going to solve the party's problems with more ease than she already does. The ramp up makes narrative sense.
As for Kit, quick resolution doesn't seem to be what the show is about. Whenever things seem to go well for even a bit, boom! Things go sideways. The show is kind of built on it. So she never gets a chance.
In my opinion these two work together quite well, though. Kit has problems with Elora when she's supposed to have power but turns out to be useless, because Kit could really use someone with power to save her brother. Then when she's finally coming around to giving Elora credit, Elora gets in the way of what Kit wants more than anything and she's back to struggling with how she's supposed to deal with Elora. It fits right in with Elora's struggle to learn her magic powers. As long as she doesn't have power and use it in a way that benefits Kit in a substantial way, to Kit Kit is the heroine of the story, her brother is the object of the party's quest and her dad gets added as a main quest goal along the way. As long as she can't save bro or dad, or see Elora actually help with that, there is reason for friction.
I find Kit's lasting issues with Elora quite characterful, and honestly more satisfying than them working things out quickly. And as you noted, we get a grumpy Willow out of it as a bonus.
Which was quite jarring with the not-fun weird shouting match scene between Kit and Elora. I am rather tired of Kit and her “daddy issues” as well as Elora's self loathing insecurity. I can see why Willow is always so grumpy.
Spoiler:
I don't think they have a choice with Elora. As much as the show and the movie are called Willow, she's the chosen one who is supposed to bring balance to the Force nuke evil as the ultimate sorceress with the power of prophecy or something. It's not unexpected that she can't have substantial powers until the end of the show or else she's just going to solve the party's problems with more ease than she already does. The ramp up makes narrative sense.
As for Kit, quick resolution doesn't seem to be what the show is about. Whenever things seem to go well for even a bit, boom! Things go sideways. The show is kind of built on it. So she never gets a chance.
In my opinion these two work together quite well, though. Kit has problems with Elora when she's supposed to have power but turns out to be useless, because Kit could really use someone with power to save her brother. Then when she's finally coming around to giving Elora credit, Elora gets in the way of what Kit wants more than anything and she's back to struggling with how she's supposed to deal with Elora. It fits right in with Elora's struggle to learn her magic powers. As long as she doesn't have power and use it in a way that benefits Kit in a substantial way, to Kit Kit is the heroine of the story, her brother is the object of the party's quest and her dad gets added as a main quest goal along the way. As long as she can't save bro or dad, or see Elora actually help with that, there is reason for friction.
I find Kit's lasting issues with Elora quite characterful, and honestly more satisfying than them working things out quickly. And as you noted, we get a grumpy Willow out of it as a bonus.
I agree with all this.
Ultimately Kit is with the party for the reasons they originally set out for on paper. The quest has changed, but she refuses to catch up.
Episode 6 was all over the place and I'm here for it. I know there are issues but I'm genuinely enjoying a show that takes itself about as seriously as its source material. The actors are obviously enjoying themselves and I'm finding most of the actual acting to be quite good. Consistent characters with consistent behaviors and appropriate growth.
I'm really hoping this has a chance and that disney doesn't dunk it after a single season. I know that it'd get dunked on Netflix but at least Willow might have a chance. Also this feels like it's going to hold together really well once it can be straight streamed.
It is at the end of the day a stylistic mess, neither Arthur not Martha. Yet, somehow against the odds? It just works.
Episode 7 had a lot of progression, and remains pretty much enjoyable.
I think what’s working for me is…
Spoiler:
The characters, for the most part, are in unknown territory. They’re all competent in their own ways, but this adventure is more than any bargained for. So when they feel out of their depth, it feels organic and right, rather than forced.
It is at the end of the day a stylistic mess, neither Arthur not Martha. Yet, somehow against the odds? It just works.
Episode 7 had a lot of progression, and remains pretty much enjoyable.
I think what’s working for me is…
Spoiler:
The characters, for the most part, are in unknown territory. They’re all competent in their own ways, but this adventure is more than any bargained for. So when they feel out of their depth, it feels organic and right, rather than forced.
I could definitely go another season of this
I agree. One thing for me is that there are some great pieces that often do not quite mesh together correctly but still overall feels ok. Not great but not a waste of precious time either. The soundtrack is definitely throwing me off now though.
I still feel like Kit and Elora are overdoing the drama. It comes across like pantomime.
Spoiler:
Mrs. GG and I would have liked to see Willow smile after Elora knocked him on his ass…. but also, for a wizard needing to save his magic so much so that he could not save his best friend he sure is quick to spend it now…. Oh and
Prince Graydon is also a real wizard who cause his flute like a magic wand now instead of just a learned noble who reads arcane texts? Confusing.
I'm getting the impression that things are becoming a little rushed as we get close to the end. Like they ran out of screen time. Prince I'll Never Do Your Bidding turned into Prince I'm Yours To Command without any scene to show that progression, I think.
After he drank The Funky Water to be fair. I’m wondering if Mystery Lass might actually be Bavmorda, and we’re seeing some Wibbly Wobbly Timey Wimey going on.
Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote: After he drank The Funky Water to be fair. I’m wondering if Mystery Lass might actually be Bavmorda, and we’re seeing some Wibbly Wobbly Timey Wimey going on.
That would mean she made out with her grandson. Which... You know... Gross.
Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote: After he drank The Funky Water to be fair. I’m wondering if Mystery Lass might actually be Bavmorda, and we’re seeing some Wibbly Wobbly Timey Wimey going on.
That would mean she made out with her grandson. Which... You know... Gross.
Well, if anything drives you insane, surely snogging your granny is up there?
Overall, a pretty satisfying finale with decent action, nice effects and character development, even this late in the day.
And of course, now a setup for further seasons. Which despite this show be proper on the wonk, I’m absolutely here for! Oooh…shelf shown with Vols 1-3….
That was fun! I like that for all their complaining about Boarman’s distractions, it perfectly demonstrated why you should always do those side quests for their gear rewards. Also a cameo from the two headed dragon monster!
I was going to complain that we never got to see Val show up to reprise his role, but then seeing the voice of Mad was credited to Jack Kilmer, I looked up his condition and it makes sense why he’s not in it so having his son do the voice is actually pretty cool.
And of course, now a setup for further seasons. Which despite this show be proper on the wonk, I’m absolutely here for! Oooh…shelf shown with Vols 1-3….
Spoiler:
Yeah, I was happy to see that. Now they only have to follow through.
Overall a good and fun finale for the season.
I'll have to rewatch the whole thing in one go down the line, see how the show fares if I don't have to remember what happened a month and a half earlier.
Well, that was a great finale, for a show that has a lot of flaws it more than makes up for that with fun.
I actually can't remember the last time I enjoyed a season finale more.
Interestingly, my housemate, who is not a big sci-fi / fantasy fan, had no initial interest in watching this show based on social media comments. But each week they have heard me chuckling / laughing whilst watching and it piqued their interest.
So, this weekend we watched the movie together (they had never seen it) and aside from the two-headed monster bit it has held up pretty well and they enjoyed it. We then binged the TV series and both watched the finale last night and we both really enjoyed it and both are hoping for Season 2.
Which, considering some of the negative criticism isn't necessarily unfounded, came as a big surprise to both of us.
StraightSilver wrote: for a show that has a lot of flaws it more than makes up for that with fun.
This sums up the show as a whole well. While it is far from perfect, the way the show leans into the quirky fun adds a charming appeal instead of detracting from it further, resulting with an end result that is fairly enjoyable to watch!
This is a show that must have been great to be involved in making.
The dialogue doesn't always come across quite right at times, but when it does, it works.
The modern music jarred. The end-of-series reveal of the baddie army was spoiled by the start of the closing song. It was a nice idea, to close with songs people know, but they could have waited for the talking to be over.
I'm glad I sat though it, and am looking forward to the next two series.
So final episode - not great not bad, just like the entire series. Would I like to see the second season? No, but I would like to see a proper movie instead. I think it would work better, without the time for useless filers like woodswomen etc. Also a bigger budget could give us a properly epic fights given that we saw a truly nasty army of bad guys incoming.
I really enjoyed it. I'm going to watch the entire thing in a single run through at some point but honestly this was a very well done finale and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Particularly Willow, as the consensus is “enjoyed despite its manifest flaws”. I mean, Andor wasn’t just good, but a breath of fresh air for the franchise. But Willow was a wonky show which somehow, against the odds is seemed intent on stacking against itself, just, worked.
This is fun enough Fantasy. It is competently made, and fairly well executed. It is not ground breakingly awesome, but it is not awful bad either. Some parts are better than others.
I am always surprised when they drop any foul language though, as it seems superflous to the story they are trying to tell, needless, and breaks this out of being a family-friendly fantasy show.
The standout bad moment to me will be the two gals and their cabin. That entire thing was just weird and out of place, like it was Something, but turned out to be nothing, just weird and out of place.
AduroT wrote: The standout bad moment to me will be the two gals and their cabin. That entire thing was just weird and out of place, like it was Something, but turned out to be nothing, just weird and out of place.
See, I kinda loved it. It was so weird and so out of place that it felt like part of the world. This is a world where a midget people somehow managed to survive all this time along side humans, trolls, brownies, and who knows what else. Why wouldn't there be a weird pocket in a dark forest inhabited by good people. Their clothing though I'll agree with.
Their clothing, the way the sun shone only on their little cabin, their general mannerisms. Just so out of place for what was going on at the time. Not because they were good people.
I don't know, in a magic heavy fantasy setting with corrupting evil a sunny spot of good in an otherwise monster infested forest doesn't seem out of place, thematically.
I also wondered if it was due to the walls between worlds weakening. They talk of the Crone/Worm threatening more than one and there is a portal forming.
People and places may have drifted across, and it seems woods are liminal places there making easier. They might find somewhere the wood cutters fit later.
Or just find them as they were at the start in another wood, adding to mystery.
Reports coming out that it's been cancelled. Which, to be fair, isn't hugely surprising, considering the budget these shows need and the largely mediocre response to it.
that's a shame, whilsy s1 was mehh I thunk another season might have ironed it out a bit (ie ditch most of the scoobys, keep Elona and Willow and brng in Mimms)
The problem is you can review well but have low numbers; or you can review poorly but have high viewing numbers.
In the end the viewing numbers often speak the loudest. Sadly whilst Willow is a classic film its been a long time since it was last on the screens and its not as powerful as something like Starwars. So its niche.
Like Dark Crystal, these shows suffer from the fact that studios/suits will go with what has the greatest chance of a return and that means beating viewing thresholds and such.
That's a surprise, and a disappointment. That was a fun show. A victim of D+'s consolidation no w they realize they're just another streaming service.
Trouble is, the less shows I like, means bigger gaps between those shows means I'm more likely to jump in and out, rather than let the subscription roll along.
John Kasdan is saying it's not cancelled, volume 2 is still planned but not for awhile so they released the cast and crew - still sounds like it's cancelled just not officially yet.
