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Willow
R1 - America - Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment Review written by and copyright: Noor Razzak (19th April 2004). |
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The Film
 There was a time when movies where magical, made with care and love to entertain, Where movies like Back to the Future, Star Wars, Indiana Jones and Willow ruled. They where the voice of a generation, these where adventures not just seen on screen but lived out by children in their back yards, during lunch at school, on the weekends with friends alike. These where films that bring back great memories now. For me Willow was one of those films that I re-played over and over again with friends. Now as an adult I can relive those memories (hey don't laugh, I may be in my 20s but I'm still a kid at heart). Willow's plot is very simple, in fact for this genre it's been there, done that territory. Willow Ufgood (Warwick Davis) finds an abandoned baby who is found to be a sacred child that can end the reign of a wicked sorceress queen, Willow must protect the child and make sure it does not get in the hands of the queen, joined at his side by a swordsman Madmartigan (Val Kilmer) they must overcome evil and the forces of darkness to prevail. Let's face it there's nothing real technical about this story, in fact after watching this film through-out it reaks of material stolen from J.R.R. Tolkien, isn't that what uncle George Lucas (Story by Lucas, film directed by Ron Howard) is famous for anyway? Well that and innovative story telling (with the exception of Howard the Duck, and Star Wars Episodes I and II). And that's what makes this film so endearing, the storytelling, the magic we see on screen, the special effects and the montley crew of fun characters in this mythical universe. Who cares if it's been done before? If you're out for an enjoyable film that can be watched by the whole family that's full of adventure and excitement then Willow delivers.
Video
Willow is presented in the film's original aspect ratio of 2.35:1 and is anamorphic. This film was made to be viewed in the widescreen format, with epic shots of breathtaking locations, I can't believe I ever used to watch this film in fullscreen. The transfer done by lucasfilm is superb and benefits with the Lucasfilm seal of approval, THX certification. The image is bright and clear and the colours are well defined and with solid blacks. To the naked eye it doesn't appear to have any defects. This is certainly the best transfer of this film to date, surpassing the old Laserdisc version.
Audio
Originally in 1988 this film would have been released in Stereo, now we get a 5.1 soundtrack, there is also a 2.0 stereo tracks in both English and Spanish, but I didn't get a chance to listen to it instead favouring the 5.1. The quality of the surround is very nice, with well mixed atmospheric and environmental effects, plus the action scenes will definatly give your speakers a work out. This is a fine soundtrack but it does have it's flaws, some of the dialogue does come out a little hollow, but this not distracting at all. Overall this is the best I've heard this movie in. The film is also subtitled in English.
Extras
This DVD is labelled as a Special Edition, it does have some nice extras but to warrant a Special Edition tag I would have liked a few more extras. The First extra is a commentary by the film's star Warwick Davis. Davis' commentary is fairly informative he talks lovingly about his involvement from the beginning and working with the likes of Val Kilmer, Ron Howard and Geroge Lucas and recounts his experiances in dealing with the special effects, although it's a good commentary it could have benefitted with the invlovement of some of the other key players in this film, it would have also been nice to hear from Ron Howard, George Lucas, Dennis Murren and Val Kilmer. The next extra we have is two featurettes, the first enetitled "Morf to Morphing" this a great featurette covering the (at the time) groundbreaking effects and how they've become common mainstay in many of todays commercials and TV shows. Although at 24 minutes this featurette felt short, and certainly left me wanting more. The second featurette is entitled "Willow: The Making Of An Adventure" produced in 1988 and clocking in at 20 minutes this is your standard EPK fodder, it offers some great footage from the set and interviews with the main cast and crew, but at the end of the day this DVD should have included a decent production documentary. Rounding out the extras are a still gallery made up of roughly 50 on set photos, 2 theatrical teasers and the theatrical trailer (all of which are presented in anamorphic widescreen) and 8 TV spots. There is also an easter egg: select "Special Features", then select "Trailers and TV Spots". Highlight the "More" menu entry at the bottom of the screen and press Right to highlight a fairy in the picture. Press "Enter" now to watch "The Making of Raziel's Transformation" an 8-minute featurette on the creation of the scene, complete with behind-the-scenes footage and interviews.
Overall
One for the family, certainly one for the kids, including those at heart. Willow is an adventure film that delivers on the adventure and fun. As a DVD the video and sound stack up well, but as a SE I'd have like a little bit more, this is definatly a film that could have done with a 2-disc presentation with DTS sound, more commentaries and a full-blown documentary. But, what we get is better than nothing.
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