At least things are moving along but it still seems like only 1 or 2 things that matter happen an episode and the other 30 or 40 mins is just melodrama and scenery. And what was with the 2 lumberjack women in the forest? They were kinda funny but that whole scene seemed like a waste when they were just killed out of hand. Why bother then? Just a waste of screen time with no plot advancement. And they were dressed like they were living in northern California in the 20th century. What is with the ridiculously anachronistic costumes. The woman with the axe was wearing all denim and jeans for God's sake. I think the quiet one might have had plaid flannel. The person who runs costumes for this must be crazy or on serious drugs or really really lazy, or some combination of all of the above. That or they have no experience and got the job for other dubious reasons. Seriously, the inconsistencies in both the costumes and the modern language/accents is really bad and makes the show look very unprofessional.
13 Reviews
Change in tone and some great action
conshb8 December 2022
It's early days yet with Willow, but so far each episode has been better than the last. Episode 3 was pretty thrilling, the series getting darker (tonally AND visually) with enjoyable fight scenes. Best of all are still the hugely likeable and sympathetic characters, who are now being put through the wringer - no spoilers, but I didn't expect this episode to get so sad so quickly.
Small criticisms are the occasionally murky and over-saturated cinematography (although it didn't ruin anything for me) and I feel they could perhaps have let us know more about the crone so we are more invested in her defeat.
Small criticisms are the occasionally murky and over-saturated cinematography (although it didn't ruin anything for me) and I feel they could perhaps have let us know more about the crone so we are more invested in her defeat.
Promising improvement on the first two episodes
zvp747538 December 2022
An improvement on the previous two episodes, in which the show seems to have more clearly determined that it wants to be a fantasy comedy adventure in the mould of The Princess Bride. There are even some Rodents of Unusual Size ... that aren't much more convincingly real than those in the 1987 film. There are more laughs, including an almost Coen-brothers-esque turn from Hannah Waddingham as woodswoman Hubert. Not that it's all jokes: the episode has its action, mild body horror and tragedy, though the plot seemed a bit ropey. Or maybe it was just hard to work out what was going on through all the darkness, rain and gloom. The show hasn't suddenly become original, and it's still got some way to go, but on the whole this is a promising sign that it's finding its groove.
Better action
pauli_gomez14 January 2023
Warning: Spoilers
This episode is better than the previous one in the sense it has better action, some more or less convincing drama and some plot advancement. I would like to know if people talk to each other. Has the princess told anyone that Elora truly did magic? Did Elora tell anyone that her touch is as bad to the rotten ones as Harry's to Voldemort?
I hope they begin acting as a team soon, because the conflict is spreading to long. Also, I am suspecting Graydon and I am sad, because I like my nerds.
But the main problem of the episode is the random pioneers scene. The women seem funny and I think they did one good thing, show Elora how important she is to everyone. But the visuals were to read for the land of Willow, as if the characters had fallen in another TV stage. If not for that scene I would have rated this 7/10.
I hope they begin acting as a team soon, because the conflict is spreading to long. Also, I am suspecting Graydon and I am sad, because I like my nerds.
But the main problem of the episode is the random pioneers scene. The women seem funny and I think they did one good thing, show Elora how important she is to everyone. But the visuals were to read for the land of Willow, as if the characters had fallen in another TV stage. If not for that scene I would have rated this 7/10.
Possible spoile...
notoriousvic-442068 December 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Anyone else notice how Grayson knew a lot about Dark Magic & had no reason to know it?? Just a guess, but he will be the "Big Bad" by season 1 end. He has already given off the vibe of secret bad guy: he has no concern over the wedding like he knows it won't happen, he immediately started speaking Alora when he found out who she was, & somehow when he is involved he does something
to botch their plan. Just seems like the direction they are going.
Fun show so far, with plenty of potential. Can't wait to see where they go. Done right by the original movie, but need a little more grittiness. We will see.
Fun show so far, with plenty of potential. Can't wait to see where they go. Done right by the original movie, but need a little more grittiness. We will see.
Comedy genius
jwilkinson44310 December 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I have never laughed so hard in my entire life at one episode. It was so funny that I had to write my inaugural posted review. The story line is so ridiculous that it's laughable to the highest degree. The chase scenes, the amazing action of watching an actor toss a knife from hand to hand as his only real move, the obvious reveal of shelter, and Ted Lasso's boss outta nowhere makes this the most re-watchable episode ever. From beginning to end, you should immerse yourself in this episode's comedy genius that should've been directed by Adam McKay. The story is more random than an 24 sided die.
For me it's not as bad as some reviews suggest
snoozejonc6 March 2023
Willow and company attempt to rescue the captured Elora.
This is a fairly good episode with strong visuals and some decent character moments.
Splitting the group to different environments and obstacles has a positive affect on the story, as it allows for more diverse adventures. The best parts for me come towards the end with some memorable moments involving characters like Willow, Ballantine and Silas.
Generally I still find the characters hit and miss. I try not to take it too seriously due to the tongue in cheek tone, but for me this banter frequently misses the mark. I am trying to keep an open mind as they might grow on me.
The action and general visual spectacle is strong. I think the scene involving the Were-rats is pretty effective and the fight-scenes are mostly good. As ever, the Welsh landscapes are used beautifully to create a fantasy world.
For me it's a 6.5/10 but I round upwards.
This is a fairly good episode with strong visuals and some decent character moments.
Splitting the group to different environments and obstacles has a positive affect on the story, as it allows for more diverse adventures. The best parts for me come towards the end with some memorable moments involving characters like Willow, Ballantine and Silas.
Generally I still find the characters hit and miss. I try not to take it too seriously due to the tongue in cheek tone, but for me this banter frequently misses the mark. I am trying to keep an open mind as they might grow on me.
The action and general visual spectacle is strong. I think the scene involving the Were-rats is pretty effective and the fight-scenes are mostly good. As ever, the Welsh landscapes are used beautifully to create a fantasy world.
For me it's a 6.5/10 but I round upwards.
Can Somebody Please Explain The Presence of Two Wild West Pioneers in The World of Willow
knight110tim10 December 2022
What's with the two woodswomen dressed like anachronistic Wild Western pioneers, with denims and plastic rivets in their hats?
Is Willow supposed to be a post-apocalyptic Earth? Did they stumble in from The Dark Tower novels?
Why were they even there given they were bumped off soon after being introduced?
This really took me out of the high fantasy nature of Willow, for no readily apparent reason.
I hope this odd sequence is addressed, and explained, down the road... because as it is, after only three episodes, this show has got progressively worse as it's s gone on.
And this was just weird for weirdnesses sake, as far as I can tell.
Is Willow supposed to be a post-apocalyptic Earth? Did they stumble in from The Dark Tower novels?
Why were they even there given they were bumped off soon after being introduced?
This really took me out of the high fantasy nature of Willow, for no readily apparent reason.
I hope this odd sequence is addressed, and explained, down the road... because as it is, after only three episodes, this show has got progressively worse as it's s gone on.
And this was just weird for weirdnesses sake, as far as I can tell.
Editorial Bloodbath
sabrewolf848 December 2022
So, after the first 2 episodes, I was still running pretty high and eager to see where this episode would take the series. Unlike many others, I had a great deal of fun with the start of the series, ignoring some of the poor acting and questionable plotting, but this episode... what a letdown.
No amount of solid acting, great writing, CGI, or set design will make it far when you have directors and editors chopping out scenes and dialogue right and left, breaking continuity just as much as narrative flow. I'll give the series one more episode for a proper test run, but this episode was a technical disaster.
No amount of solid acting, great writing, CGI, or set design will make it far when you have directors and editors chopping out scenes and dialogue right and left, breaking continuity just as much as narrative flow. I'll give the series one more episode for a proper test run, but this episode was a technical disaster.
Doesn't know what it wants to be
edfitz98214 December 2022
Warning: Spoilers
As the series progresses it seems that the show runners didn't really understand the assignment.
Willow the series really struggles with who it wants to entertain. It tries to plaster a teenaged high school drama veneer over a high fantasy setting and it spends more time jarring and coming undone than it does creating a sense of narrative.
A grave mistake was to have so many main characters that are very similar to each other. There are no distinguishing characteristics between the Princess and Elora for example. Both seem spoilt, petulant and in the case of Elora/Dove - she is completely counter to her life experience as a servant.
This episode kills off a character that stood their own and of course, it isn't a regular sized person but a little person. A character who was different from the cookie cutter characters in the main cast.
There's also a very jarring and world breaking experience in the woods with two women, dressed in workers wear from the 1930's while giving off Wild West vibes. It seemed very wrong from the outset and that doesn't improve throughout.
About the only positive was the arrival at Knockmar. Overall, this episode along with its predecessors just seem reductive and frustratingly broken. Kazdan doesn't understand the toys he's playing with and the hearts he is breaking.
Willow the series really struggles with who it wants to entertain. It tries to plaster a teenaged high school drama veneer over a high fantasy setting and it spends more time jarring and coming undone than it does creating a sense of narrative.
A grave mistake was to have so many main characters that are very similar to each other. There are no distinguishing characteristics between the Princess and Elora for example. Both seem spoilt, petulant and in the case of Elora/Dove - she is completely counter to her life experience as a servant.
This episode kills off a character that stood their own and of course, it isn't a regular sized person but a little person. A character who was different from the cookie cutter characters in the main cast.
There's also a very jarring and world breaking experience in the woods with two women, dressed in workers wear from the 1930's while giving off Wild West vibes. It seemed very wrong from the outset and that doesn't improve throughout.
About the only positive was the arrival at Knockmar. Overall, this episode along with its predecessors just seem reductive and frustratingly broken. Kazdan doesn't understand the toys he's playing with and the hearts he is breaking.
Too dark, literally
jazzy61124 December 2022
I might have rated it higher if I could actually see what was going on. It was filmed in such darkness that it was impossible to make out most of the second half. Except for the random scene with the woodcutters (and my only thought then was that the shame shame shame woman, also from Ted Lasso, has been whisked away from the Wild West and dropped into Willow for some bizarre reason).
The teenage characters are annoying and just don't fit into the fantasy Willow world. It's like they're from 2022 and decided to play dress ups.
And poor Warwick Davis, given some of the worse dialogue ever. It's like his is the only character that knows he's in a fantasy show and so totally overdoes it.
The teenage characters are annoying and just don't fit into the fantasy Willow world. It's like they're from 2022 and decided to play dress ups.
And poor Warwick Davis, given some of the worse dialogue ever. It's like his is the only character that knows he's in a fantasy show and so totally overdoes it.
Like a bad D&D game
danmasucci-424-79671514 December 2022
This is shownis like an inexperienced dungeon master had the opportunity to write a show.
The entire show may have the facade of high fantasy but its use of modern day language and deliveries undermines any attempt to make this a true fantasy series.
If that wasn't enough, there is, briefly, an encounter with two Wild West pioneer-like women. However, even this feels more like characters from a theme park version of pioneers. They wear denim, have modern footwear, hats with tiny rivers that look plastic.
This series doesn't cater to fans of the original film, fantasy fans or people that enjoy a well written, poorly acted series.
It's vapid trash that tweens and teens may enjoy, but I'm dubious about that. There's no tension, no heart, and no excitement.
Disney ruins another beloved classic.
The entire show may have the facade of high fantasy but its use of modern day language and deliveries undermines any attempt to make this a true fantasy series.
If that wasn't enough, there is, briefly, an encounter with two Wild West pioneer-like women. However, even this feels more like characters from a theme park version of pioneers. They wear denim, have modern footwear, hats with tiny rivers that look plastic.
This series doesn't cater to fans of the original film, fantasy fans or people that enjoy a well written, poorly acted series.
It's vapid trash that tweens and teens may enjoy, but I'm dubious about that. There's no tension, no heart, and no excitement.
Disney ruins another beloved classic.
The Battle of the Slaughtered Lamb
Prismark109 March 2023
Now where did I put my night vision goggles. Oh yes, I gave it to the Tooth Fairy all those years ago, he never gave them back to me. Maybe Agent Starling still has them.
Ballantine ie revealed to be a villain and he is chasing Elora Danan.
She meets two eccentric ladies in the woods, Anne and Hubert who become her wild west allies when they learn of her name. They also quickly die, mainly because that was the only way to shut them up.
It is Willow who is forced to use his magic to repel Ballantine and his army. For Willow it is a sign of how high the stakes are.
The episode opened promisingly with some off kilter humour. A narration by Thraxus Boorman served as a recap. I thought I was watching The Princess Bride.
Then the electricity bills must have reached production and the lights went out.
Ballantine ie revealed to be a villain and he is chasing Elora Danan.
She meets two eccentric ladies in the woods, Anne and Hubert who become her wild west allies when they learn of her name. They also quickly die, mainly because that was the only way to shut them up.
It is Willow who is forced to use his magic to repel Ballantine and his army. For Willow it is a sign of how high the stakes are.
The episode opened promisingly with some off kilter humour. A narration by Thraxus Boorman served as a recap. I thought I was watching The Princess Bride.
Then the electricity bills must have reached production and the lights went out.
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