Willow 2023: How the Magic Lives On

Willow is a fantasy film that is set to be released in 2023. The movie is a sequel to the original Willow film, which was released in 1988. Willow, directed by Ron Howard, was a critical and commercial success and has since gained a cult following. The sequel, titled Willow Covered by the Magic 2023, will continue the story of Willow Ufgood, a humble farmer turned hero. The film will be set several years after the events of the original, with Willow now a respected member of the community. In this new adventure, Willow is tasked with protecting Elora Danan's newborn twins, who are prophesied to bring about the downfall of the evil queen Bavmorda.

“Willow” also stars 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. The writers are John Bickerstaff, Hannah Friedman, and Jonathan Kasdan. The producers are Stephen Woolfenden, Julia Cooperman, Hameed Shaukat, and Max Taylor.

Following the release of the finale of the first season of Willow , Disney has announced a new behind-the-scenes documentary called Willow Behind the Magic , will be coming to Disney on Wednesday, 25th January 2023,. Whether you re a fan of the 80s movie or not, the new Willow is a slick and entertaining blend of swordplay and wordplay that conjures up some of the old magic.

In this new adventure, Willow is tasked with protecting Elora Danan's newborn twins, who are prophesied to bring about the downfall of the evil queen Bavmorda. However, an ancient evil has awakened and is determined to capture the twins for its own nefarious purposes. Willow sets out on a perilous journey to keep the twins safe and fulfill the prophecy.

'Willow' Review: Disney Plus Reboot Mixes Fun and Fantasy

Warwick Davis summons up the old magic as this funny and spooky reboot heads for its finale next week.

Richard Trenholm was CNET's film and TV editor, covering the big screen, small screen and streaming. A member of the Film Critic's Circle, he's covered technology and culture from London's tech scene to Europe's refugee camps to the Sundance film festival.

Where there's a Willow, there's a Warwick Davis.

If Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones take themselves too seriously, Willow is back to put some fun into fantasy. This new Disney Plus series is a long-awaited sequel to the 1980s sword 'n' sorcery romp, and it's a welcome blend of clanging swords and comedy (with some spooky bits to make the kids jump).

Directed by Ron Howard and written by George Lucas, the original 1986 film starred Warwick Davis as a short-statured but big-hearted farmer battling a cackling sorceress for the soul of a baby destined to save the world. Val Kilmer came along for the ride as cocky swordsman Madmartigan in a film that injected a healthy dose of humor into its fantasy world.

Kilmer is sadly absent from the new series due to the actor's recent illness, but Joanne Whalley returns as the first film's heroine, Sorsha. She rules over a time of apparent peace and prosperity, although her children with the missing Madmartigan aren't so easily commanded. The baby from the film has been hidden away thanks to Willow having a vision, which seems like a pretty big thing to yada yada past in an opening voiceover, but then we're straight into a hilltop sword fight and racing off into a whole new adventure with a cast of sharp-cheekboned teens.

Episodes of the 2022 series are streaming now on Disney Plus, with the finale episode landing Wednesday, Jan 11. Showrunner Jon Kasdan introduces a feisty new princess who'd rather practice swordplay than accept an arranged marriage; her twin brother the cocky lady's man; a shy prince from the neighboring kingdom; and various underlings in varying levels of love with them. Everything kicks off the night before the wedding as an evil force launches a surprise attack, and before you can say "J.R.R. Tolkien," a fellowship of bickering royals, gruff old fellas and bantering warriors sets out on a quest across picturesque scenery. Hurrah!

It isn't entirely clear why the heirs to not one but two royal families are dispatched into danger, but what the heck. Things rollick along with rousing action, scary baddies and an inexplicable mixture of accents saying funny fantasy names. But what's most charming is the show's sense of fun. This seven-episode series includes plenty of genuinely funny bits, including a scene-stealing Amar Chadha-Patel as a chatty warrior/thief and a knowing turn from Warwick Davis, drawing as much on his recent comedy work with Ricky Gervais as on the original film.

It's very hard to avoid comparison in a post-Game of Thrones era that's saturated with fantasy TV. Up in the premier league are the classy, grownup and clearly expensive Thrones spinoff House of the Dragon and Amazon's Rings of Power . Some recent shows have a strong hook, like The Witcher 's sexy monster hunting, Shadow and Bone 's military magic or Carnival Row 's steampunk shenanigans. Willow's identikit magical lore is less distinct, veering dangerously close to flat-pack fantasy like the TV adaptation of The Wheel of Time . That means Willow relies almost entirely on name recognition nostalgia to hook you in. But once the title gets you through the door, the series is worth sticking with. The cast and characters are engaging, and it comes with a winning blend of action, humor and spookiness.

Speaking of which, the baddies are suitably evil, with scary magic and even scarier makeup. There's a big fight in the opening episode that's a bit gory and intense (and someone says "shit" for absolutely no reason at all), but then no '80s kids adventure was complete without a bizarrely terrifying bit that scarred a generation, so we'll allow it. And the deliciously creepy stuff is also leavened with playful touches like irreverent music cues and knowing '80s cameos.

Whether Willow was a memorable part of your childhood or you're coming to it for the first time -- perhaps with your own children -- the film and its world have aged surprisingly well. Maybe not the hokey special effects, which look like the advances of Star Wars a few years before hadn't happened -- and let's face it, the original Willow was basically Star Wars in Lord of the Rings cosplay. You can see why George Lucas' story of a farmer, a mercenary and his hairy chum, a princess and a wizard battling an evil emperor and a masked general would be seen as Lucas ripping off his own creation (even if Star Wars was a space-based remix of classic Japanese samurai movie The Hidden Fortress). It's only with time that the gloss of nostalgia has worn away the Star Wars association.

But the film mostly holds up because of its positive vibe and matriarchal energy. Released in the macho Reagan-era 1980s and in theaters at the same time as Rambo 3, Willow featured a villain and magic mentor who were both women. The story hinged on a valiant midwife, and a mother-daughter love/hate relationship was one of the main storylines. Unlike Star Wars and most stories about a chosen one, the prophesied child was a young girl. And among the menfolk, Willow was a devoted family man called to be a hero not because of his fighting skills, but because of his nurturing parental instinct and hands-on experience of caring for a baby. Even Kilmer's Madmartigan, the cocky swordsman, was far from the ultra-macho man's man Kilmer played just two years earlier in Top Gun. Kilmer gleefully embraced looking silly (spending a chunk of the film in a dress), and his character grew as he was exposed to Willow's caring nature.

Happily, this feminine energy and general sense of fun easily translates to today. Whether you're a fan of the '80s movie or not, the new Willow is a slick and entertaining blend of swordplay and wordplay that conjures up some of the old magic.

But the film mostly holds up because of its positive vibe and matriarchal energy. Released in the macho Reagan-era 1980s and in theaters at the same time as Rambo 3, Willow featured a villain and magic mentor who were both women. The story hinged on a valiant midwife, and a mother-daughter love/hate relationship was one of the main storylines. Unlike Star Wars and most stories about a chosen one, the prophesied child was a young girl. And among the menfolk, Willow was a devoted family man called to be a hero not because of his fighting skills, but because of his nurturing parental instinct and hands-on experience of caring for a baby. Even Kilmer's Madmartigan, the cocky swordsman, was far from the ultra-macho man's man Kilmer played just two years earlier in Top Gun. Kilmer gleefully embraced looking silly (spending a chunk of the film in a dress), and his character grew as he was exposed to Willow's caring nature.

Along the way, he encounters old friends and new allies who aid him in his quest. The film promises to be filled with action, magic, and heartwarming moments. One of the most exciting aspects of Willow Covered by the Magic 2023 is the return of Warwick Davis in the titular role. Davis, who portrayed Willow in the original film, will reprise his role, bringing his iconic charm and talent to the character once again. The movie is expected to be a visual spectacle, with stunning special effects and intricate set designs. The fantastical world of Willow will be brought to life in a way that will captivate audiences. Overall, Willow Covered by the Magic 2023 is highly anticipated by fans of the original film and fantasy enthusiasts alike. With a talented cast and a compelling story, the film has the potential to become a beloved addition to the fantasy genre..

Reviews for "Returning to Nockmaar: Exploring the Villainy in Willow 2023"

1. Sarah - 2/5

I was really looking forward to "Willow covered by the magic 2023" as I had enjoyed the previous movies in the series. However, I was disappointed with this installment. The storyline felt disjointed and rushed, and the characters lacked depth. Additionally, the special effects were underwhelming and did not live up to the standard set by the previous movies. Overall, I found "Willow covered by the magic 2023" to be a letdown and not worth the hype.

2. Mark - 1/5

"Willow covered by the magic 2023" was a complete disaster. The acting was stiff and unnatural, and the dialogue was cheesy and cliché. The plot was confusing and meandering, leaving me wondering why I even bothered watching. The film lacked any excitement or suspense, and I found myself checking the time multiple times throughout. I cannot recommend "Willow covered by the magic 2023" to anyone as it was simply a waste of time.

3. Emily - 2/5

I had high hopes for "Willow covered by the magic 2023" after enjoying the previous movies in the series. However, this installment fell short of expectations. The storyline was convoluted and hard to follow, making it difficult to stay engaged. The pacing was off, with some scenes dragging on unnecessarily while others felt rushed. The performances were lackluster, failing to capture the charm and magic of the previous films. Overall, "Willow covered by the magic 2023" was a disappointment and did not live up to the legacy of the franchise.

The Legacy of Willow: A Look Back at the Original Film