Willow

Twenty years after Nelwyn sorcerer Willow Ufgood (Warwick Davis) thwarted the wicked Queen Bavmorda’s plans and rescued the baby Elora from doom, a new form of evil has made its way to the fantastical lands of magic and monsters. Prince Airk (Dempsey Bryk), Sorsha’s (Joanne Whalley, reprising her role from the original film) son, has been kidnapped by a group of shadowy beings sent by a villain known only as the Withered Crone and taken to a dark land far beyond the known boundaries of their own. It’s therefore up to Airk’s sister, Kit (Ruby Cruz), to set out to rescue her brother with the help of Willow and a band of colourful misfit heroes.

Although fans of the 1988 cult film will be disappointed to learn that Val Kilmer won’t be reprising his role as charismatic warrior Madmartigan for the series due to pandemic travel restrictions, this sequel series nevertheless stays true to the light-hearted spirit of the original, with shiny new special effects wizardry making the world (including some familiar locations) look even more wonderous than before. Though Kilmer is absent for this new quest, Davis steps back into the role as if he never left the set. While it’s great to have him back, and despite being the titular character, he isn’t the star of the show. The new cast of heroes are where the script’s focus is here.

Cruz is joined by Erin Kellyman as best friend and aspiring warrior Jade, Tony Revolori is Graydon (Kit’s betrothed) and Ellie Bamber as a kitchen maid named Dove who’s fallen head-over-heels for the kidnapped prince and wishes to save him. Each new star is a delight to watch bounce off one another as companionship is formed. However, it’s Amar Chadha-Patel who frequently steals the show as oafish swordsman Boorman. Especially when he’s paired with Cruz onscreen, his roguish charm and exceptional comedic timing never fail to amuse.

While the show gives away one of its biggest secrets too early and robs viewers of a grander sense of mystery, Willow is everything and more fans were hoping for from this long-awaited sequel as they embark on a fun-filled adventure with a cast of memorable characters. It’s epic fantasy adventuring at its finest.

Andrew Murray

Willow is released on Disney+ on 30^th November 2022.

Watch the trailer for Willow here: