WILLOW is Wackier Than We Remember! (1988) Movie Reaction | First Time Watching

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Enter the world of "Willow." Journey to the far corners of your imagination, to a land of myth and magic, where dream and reality live side by side ... to a place that never existed, a time that never was. It is a world where a young man named Willow lives out an adventure that explodes beyond the boundaries of his own hopes and fears.
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[@HeroesReforged]

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[@movieswithmatticus5469]

Misleading title

[@dbly50]

Val kilmer and Joanne Whaley fell in love during this movie, that's why the chemistry was so great between the 2 I had read somewhere before that val said he would purposely mess up the scenes he kissed her in just so they would have to redo them There's also some cut scenes that flesh out sorshas character more so her flipping sides doesn't seem so abrupt, basically her dad was the king of the castle where everyone was turned to stone and she finds him and realizes her mother did it and has been lying to her her whole life

[@itsflowerside]

i saw somebody do a comparison of their real daughter and the actress they cast to play their fictional daughter on willow and the casting is SPOT ON

[@falcon4196]

I wore out a VHS copy of Willow as a kid. I used to carry it around like it was a Teddy bear.

[@jenny_lee_87]

I had a VHS copy too that watched a lot

[@alexisbk9576]

How cute lol. That’s so awesome!

[@Ladmia]

I wore out my first copy as well. My mom had to buy a 2nd VHS tape that I still have.

[@falcon4196]

@@Ladmia Mine recorded a copy off of HBO

[@tsogobauggi8721]

I stuffed my VHS into a teddy bear and carried it around. :)

[@terrylovell_video_editor]

Fun fact: Gavan O'Herlihy who played Airk played Richie Cunningham’s (Ron Howard) older brother Chuck in the first few episodes of Happy Days but was written out. He “went to college” and never returned to the show.

[@Mortegro545]

The shapeshifting in this movie was the first time that effect was used.

[@richardyoung3462]

It was going to blow it's firebreath, but the sword pinned it's mouth shut. The blast had nowhere else to go.

[@nerdlarge4691]

This was one of my favorite movies as a kid in the 80s. This most profound and bittersweet scene in this movie to me is when Willow turns Raziel the sorceress back to a woman and she realizes how much she has aged since she was cursed. It’s so full of pathos and shows how life can past by for us mortals so quickly. 😢

[@SupaKen74]

I just showed this to my 11 yr old son yesterday and I was worried he'd feel it was dated. When he said he liked it alot I thought he was humoring me because he knew I loved it. When tonight he practically begged to watch the first episode of the series with me? I almost cried. And he loved it. He can't wait to see the next episode with me tomorrow.

[@CurseTheCosmos]

George Lucas’ imagination is second to none. It’s a shame we’ll never get another story from him, he seems very set in his retirement. But what he’s given us is truly mythic. I would love it if Disney Publishing could re-release the trilogy of novels set in this world; which George co-wrote with iconic X-Men scribe, Chris Claremont. 🤞🏼

[@ElectricKnight.]

I think a huge part of the magic of this movie is Lucas. After writing the story, and bringing in Howard, he worked side by side with the script writer, just like he did for the Star Wars films. Page by page, through each draft, crafting that magic. And I think that chaotic falling through each step of the film and all the crazy adventure is quintessential Lucas. Think of the beginning of New Hope, just following the droids, fall through the chaos, into Luke, into Kenobi, into the Falcon, into the Death Star, into the company of Leia... and so on. He's so great at throwing you in, hooking your heartstrings, and leaving you to barely fend for yourself in a strange world that you only barely understand, but understand just enough to be having the time of your life through all the twists, turns, ups, and downs. And I say all that not simply as a fan of Lucas, but a fan of Willow. I don't remember having a STRONG reaction to it when I saw it when it first came out, as a child. I recall LIKING it. But when I re-watched it, years later, I just fell in love with it. And I try to re-watch it now and then. I think Davis is fantastic. Kilmer is charismatic and memorable as hell And Whalley just steals my heart every damn time. The villains and the fights are excellent as well. Even as celebrated as the movie may be today, I feel like it is still somewhat underrated. It's a wonderful fantasy adventure movie. Sort of the best of all the fun, but not as great, 80s fantasy B movies back then. I hope the series captures that fantastical spark of creativity. Shows and films, these days, don't seem to capture the imagination quite as bombastically as I think these types of genres should. And I'm hoping this team changes that. Willow is deserving of that!

[@VanArchon]

I don't believe that Julie Peters is returning as Willow's wife Kaiya. However I do know that Warwick Davis' real-life daughter Annabelle is playing Willow's daughter Mims. OH also Kevin Pollak and Rick Overton will be playing their roles as the two Brownies, Rool and Franjean.

[@dropkick79]

In all honestly guys, that lady at the beginning IS the real hero.

[@BrianSmith-kv3px]

"...and creatures that look like Mitch McConnell..." Bravo, good sir.

[@emilyrussell8847]

I remember watching this while at university and finding the pig transformation scene incredibly disturbiing, even then. I like that this family film has some real darkness in it. And really, how at the end of the adventure, Willow's real reward is getting to go home to his loving family. Can't wait for you guys to react to the series.

[@TheScarecrow78]

One of my faves as a kid. IMO its Val Kilmer's best role.

[@elizabethsturdivant4986]

I love Willow so much. Has always been one of my favorite fantasy movies of all time. It's crazy to think that Warwick Davis was only 17 when he made this. The whole cast was amazing.

[@bennyjones2373]

I'm real excited to see these actors back in the series. I was so happy when Joanne Whalley was in Daredevil, like, "his mum is Sorsha!!!"

[@TimpanistMoth_AyKayEll]

Despite being an 80s kid, I somehow I never saw this until recently. I knew a lot of people loved it, but was still blown away by how good it was. Incredibly charming and imaginative.

[@primetime3306]

"This monster looks like Mitch McConnell, I don't like it", lmaooo

[@terririnella4032]

what's really cool about the magic fight at the end is that yes, it is like Gandalf and Saurimann throwing spells, (as you would imagine, cause came way before the LOTR movies) but both are fighting dirty, punching, choking and the fact it's too older women, who may not have huge muscles, but anyone who has a grandma or two knows how much you wouldn't want to be hit by their blows, all thin skin, knuckle and bone, and unlike recent movies, both are not perfectly neat and clean looking during or after, they're wet, sweaty, exhausted, Bathmorda looks legitimetly scary and crazy and they both enjoy fighting and trying to destroy each other....it was like a grannie bare knuckle cage fight

[@matthewbertram4312]

"So cute. Bye-bye!" got me. Have Augustin or Adam seen Kung Pow? That would be a fun watch-along.

[@williamjones6031]

1. Fun movie! 2. That two headed critter is all kinds of cool!😎 3. When the evil queen goes down I think, "Couldn't happen to a nicer guy" 4. Trivia time: Warwick Davis' first gig was the lead Ewok in "Return of the Jedi" when he was only 13 years old. 5. Val Kilmer had a respectable resume. Another movie with him in it not mentioned enough is "The Doors" where he plays Jim Morrison and does all the singing in the movie. His(and my) love interest is Meg Ryan.😍 6. IRL Kilmer and Joanne Whalley fell in love making this movie and were briefly married. 7. The brownies remind me of Lenny and Squiggy from the old "Levern and Shirley" tv show. 8. GOOF: Kaya is seen in the ending celebration then shows up with the children and acts like it's the first time she sees him. 9. Is there anything Ron Howard can't do?

[@amandadougherty6615]

Omg, memory lane ❤

[@GKViddingHD]

As a seven year old girl I relished in the fantastical horror. And Mad Martigan's love for Sorsha, hehe, so I believe it is absolutely fine to watch it at that age.

[@shamancarmichael5305]

One of my favorite feel good fantasies of all time. Love Warwick Davis, and I can't wait to watch the series!

[@qcrew2938]

Love this movie.... had the biggest crush on Sorsha and still do!!

[@chriztianrox]

My Mom and I STILL quote this movie to this day. Such a good, fun adventure movie. Great reaction!

[@clarissathompson]

LOL, Everytime I get a hold of one of my granddaughters I tend to say, " I STOLE A BABYYYY!"

[@She.Who.Remains]

Yes fam.. I 👏 Am👏 Here👏For👏 This👏.. Willow is an absolute banger.. 80s kids will be out here eating this ish up.. you guys should do The NeverEnding Story and Labyrinth and Dark Crystal too 😁

[@glennrobertbantug8553]

Great reaction. For Hector, what movies, before Willow, could you name that has these “tropes”? Except for Conan the Barbarian, I can’t think of any. Ladyhawke? Krull? legend? Yes, It’s inspired by the Tolkien novels. but having recently rewatched Willow, I think Peter Jackson also took inspiration from Willow’s visual aesthetics.

[@windwalker5765]

You did indeed see Kenny Baker as one of the musicians. The little people playing the Nelwyns are essentially ALL the same actors as played the Ewoks.

[@garretthenderson5738]

What really helps with the lack of clear rules is that we're seeing the story through Willow's eyes. As opposed to, say, Gandalf, Willow doesn't know anything of the world outside his village, nothing really of magic. So Willow doesn't know what's going on anymore than we do.

[@StephenCinAZ]

41:11 - "What is this?" In her confusion, and with spilling the bowls of magic soup all over herself, Bavmorda basically ended up accidentally performing the banishment ritual on herself instead of on Elora.

[@wtimmins]

Man, this takes me back. Hugs, all.

[@derekphelps3714]

LOL we were tough kids in the 80's. This was considered mild children's fantasy.

[@KodyMK]

Willow should of put his leprechaun costume on to terrorize ppl at night

[@alexisbk9576]

This was such a treat! Willow has always been one of my favorite movies. So quotable. Thank you Heroes Reforged for watching and reacting to Willow the movie for us! Loved your commentary. It seemed like you guys really enjoyed the movie 😃

[@davidsamford4711]

Love that quick, "How cute, bye bye!" Kung Pow quote from Hector! haha

[@StephenCinAZ]

The hydra thing's one head exploded because someone jammed a sword through its skull, so it couldn't open its mouth to relieve the pressure of its fire-breath (hence: kaboom).

[@eberwald4438]

The two headed monster tried to breathe fire but it's mouth was speared shut so BOOM.

[@Wesleech]

FUN FACT--The skulled bad guy "Kael" was named after a movie critic known to be... "Harsh". The two head troll monster's name is The Eborsisk. Ebert and Siskel. That one was just for fun.

[@dominoprzybilski7865]

OMG Adam's George Lucas impression 😆

[@grayden4138]

The two-headed dragon was called Ebersisk, after Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel. The lady who plays Fin Razel was also in Neverending Story. She played the old woman who brewed the potion for Atreyu after Falcor saved him in the Swamps of Sadness. Her husband had the giant spyglass he used to watch the Southern Oracle.

[@ElectricKnight.]

So happy see this reaction. 😊 Seeing the joy, excitement, and sentimental emotions hitting Adam and Augustin's faces was a real treat, because I think Willow is a special treat that maybe should be more celebrated than it is. And I think seeing how well it worked for them is a great testament to that. Thanks guys!❤❤❤

[@GuanoLad]

Most of the castle and forest scenes were filmed in Wales. The chase scene is in England. The crossroads, lake, and mountain scenes were in New Zealand.

[@thedoubletake8648]

I was 5 when this came out and I’m 39 now. This movie means so much to my family. We watched it so many times and still quote or reference it at get togethers. Listening to y’all feels like I’m sitting with my brothers and our sons watching it again

[@nickthepeasant]

Yes, prized VHS from my youth. Those pigs traumatised me for a bit, ngl.

[@HitcherWitcher11]

This movie did a similar thing to The Goonies that I think of what makes a movie really stick for kids. They throw an amazing sledding sequence (in Goonies it was a waterside) that immediately looks familiar and achievable, but still ramped up. I remember it helped me place myself in the movie.

[@jyrinyberg1035]

I was 7 or 8 when I saw this with my sister. I didn't understand English and was too slow reader for subtitles but I still understood enough to fell in love with fantasy films.

[@ProfArmitage218]

I think the novelization of the movie clarified that the blood in the ritual was to mark the sacrifice for the otherworldly entities Bavmorda was going to sacrifice the baby to. When she spilled the blood on herself the entities, not really being particular, effectively said "Oh, there's our sacrifice" and took her."

[@Jazz41173]

This is the movie Val and Joanne fell in love and got married. I hope Val is doing better. "That's the fakest baby I've ever seen.". Then you haven't seen the Twilight movies. Or that one where Bradley Cooper plays a sniper. 🤓

[@frecklycheeks]

So excited to see this and you did not disappoint in enjoying both the heart and goofiness of this film. The brownies have always been my favorite characters!

[@eviive8496]

I didn't get to see Willow in the theater, but when it came out on VHS I watched it endlessly. Madmartigan made my preteen heart swoon! I'm one of those ppl who have the whole movie memorized. Have fun watching. YOU ARE AMAZING!

[@TheFiddleFaddle]

It was so great seeing how much you guys enjoyed this. I couldn't get my kids to have the patience for it. But it's SO GOOD.

[@h2ohydrox]

I recently sat down with my 9 year old to watch this, because I was 9 when it came out. He started off with the "Really? Another crappy old movie?", but by the end loved it and he's now excited to watch the series.

[@mediumvillain]

I watched this movie when I was like 6-7 and loved it lmao. Watched it all the time on VHS.

[@terririnella4032]

i love the sled scene, including the giant snowroll prop, and it makes sense, cause in any other movie, he would just be a snowball, and would make sense if he was tumbling head over feet, but he was rolling on his side (which you can see when Val falls off the sled), so therefore giant jelly roll (it's fun and makes sense)

[@tommacari4103]

80's kids movies WERE harsh! The skeksis in Dark Crystal freaked me out! Disney made a movie called Mr. Boogidy, which scarred me lol

[@UserName-vb4lg]

Labyrinth. I loved it later but as a kid? Terrifying. Lol.

[@sullivan108]

When they announced the new series, I went back and watched this expecting to be disappointed. MAN does it hold up. Like there's some VFX and stuff that are dated of course but its one of the few solid fantasy movies IMO.

[@meklavier4664]

I was 14 when willow was first shown in singapore. I bought the ticket and watch it by myself.

[@QuamDurus]

I love this movie! I watched it so many times whn I was growning up!

[@jeffreydegraw4070]

I actually just watched this for the first time like 2 weeks ago so that I can watch the show. Really enjoyed the campy 80-s vibe it had.

[@TheOnlyHawkeye666]

The two headed creature transformation scene scared the crap outta of me as a kid. I always fast forwarded through it 😂

[@clarissathompson]

I'm so glad that you decided to react to this before watching the series! I first saw this movie when it was released in the theatre when I was 13 and I have seen it countless times since, it is one of my favourite films all of all time! Thanks for the reaction, guys!

[@lucamazzucco4664]

this movie, like others from the past, is like a fable, today we have documentaries where you must explain everything, dont't get me wrong they're not bad at all but there's a different feeling

[@Wilss]

You do actually see Willow grab that support under the bridge before he monster (Eborsisk) grabs the troll, but it's hard to see coz the monster's head gets in the way of the shot as it goes in for the bite.

[@ErynQuentery]

Saw this as a 13yo with my Grandpa in 88

[@johnnyonline]

I watched the first two episodes of the new show and thought they were a bit rough and while the first episode was missing that charm of the film to redeem it, the 2nd episode had a lot more Warwick Davis so therefore a bit more of that Willow magic. I'm hoping the remainder of the series has more of the fun and charm that was on display in the original film.

[@eviive8496]

LOVE IT!!! "This movie has gone from an 8 to a 10 to a 15!". It makes me so happy to see someone enjoy this movie.

[@michaelmcdonald7675]

One of my favourites as a child. Loved it and the trolls did indeed scare the heck out of me, but in a good way. 80s kids films just hit different, weren't afraid to push the limits of what a kid could handle. Love it.

[@danielsummers2484]

I think the sword was holding the monsters mouth closed, it tried to blow fire and blew up...kinda like black bolt in mutliverse of madness.

[@The2ndQuest]

Yep! That's what happened. Madmartigan pinned the mouth shut through the head.

[@Manx36]

Bathmorda didn’t die, that was a transportation spell to sacrifice the baby to someone else, keep that in mind for the series

[@BrianSmith-kv3px]

Video's up for all of a minute and y'all got 10 viewers already. I will never understand why you don't have a quater million subs already.

[@floppsymoppsy5969]

l have this movie memorized. And yet every time Willow's wife hands over her hair I tear up. And those baby's expressions. What.The.Hell! Also I saw this in theaters... I was 8.

[@erickvoshel1]

Hello Heroes Reforged, If you loved the movie, you'll love the TV Series. The first two episodes are great. Can't wait to see your reactions to it.

[@snorpenbass4196]

So they shot on location in Ireland and Iceland and IIRC (probably not) New Zealand - only matte paintings are really of towns/castles, most of the environments are real (I think the Nelwyn valley is matte, but I'm not sure). *Edit:* Also, this movie is where ILM first truly showed off the CG morphing technique later used in The Abyss, Terminator 2 and so many movies and music videos it gets ridiculous.

[@snorpenbass4196]

Also, one thing: When this movie came out, we didn't really _have_ generic fantasy movies in this vein. The closest to classic fantasy we'd ever gotten were Dragonslayer and Hawk the Slayer, both of them absolutely bonkers by modern standards, or cartoons. Live action fantasy was much more often swords & sandlas type stuff like Conan or Beastmaster - muscular men in loin cloths fighting in iron age environments. This was the first major budget Tolkien-like fantasy movie.

[@MrKimJoJo]

The Waterfall they walk by in the beginning, is in LA..

[@chrisleneil]

Have had a crush on Warwick Davis since I was a kid due to a behind the scenes feature about RotJ! Always thought that he should have more leading roles. (This film added a crush on Joanne Whalley) One of my favourite things about this is that Bavmorda is played by Jean Marsh who played 3 different characters in Doctor Who! She also was married to the 3rd Doctor, Jon Pertwee. Great reactions, as always !

[@dansby37]

I love the fight between Raziel and Bavmorda, its not just for Raziel fighting Bavmorda to stop her evil reign, this is PERSONAL, she loathe her for a lot of reasons and vice versa, Bavmorda saw her as threat to her. Raziel has more than resentment (and thats putting it mildly) of being turned to a possum (or whatever marsupial creature she was when WIllow first found her) by Bavmorda and being that way for decades, its something more than that, hence why it got physical not just magical between the two of them.

[@fingolfin897]

Noooooo! You cut the best line!!!! "WANNA BREED??" 🤣

[@minmom166]

Mitch McConnell 😂 Accurate

[@RPG_Angie]

I've just seen the movie for the first time, so I'm very greatful that my favorite reactors have a reaction to it!

[@mjhaners]

Love Willow! Glad u guys reacted to it!

[@Exposedhobby]

Hector! Did I see you at Fan Expo in San Francisco? Love your show guys!

[@BrandonMassey]

To be fair to Augustin, the High Wizard played Gwildor on Masters of the Universe.

[@jamalbayliss8523]

glad you did this

[@dragonreader3817]

Oh yeah! thanks for mentioning the effects documentary. I forgot about it.

[@laurenmcgehean]

Adam's George Lucas impression 😂

[@rog2224]

i watched it on release (I'd have been in my 20s) and from what I remember from the time, it wasn't well publicised, and what promotion there was made it look like a low rent, live action The Dark Crystal. I saw it because it was the film the group of us that went the the cinema could all agree on that week. We all loved it - unusual for that group. I tend to put Willow in the class of Dredd for a good film poorly handled.

[@zengamer21]

Proto-Jack Sparrow vibes from Mad Martigen.

[@reconsoldier135]

To answer your question about how old kids should be to watch this movie, I was 4 years old when this hit theaters and I saw it in theaters so yea, loved it ever since

[@Skye_Writer]

Ok, so now I know what the movie had that the show is missing--Ron Howard directing it and giving it both heart and cohesion.

[@tanis7050]

I hope there will be a second season, I've been a D&D player since 1981 and this show is the closest thing to a D&D campaign with its lengths and moments of glory. On the other hand, they will have to structure the show a little better and especially at the level of writing.

[@mattreid8098]

Hahaha it did look like Mitch McConnell omfg lol 😂

[@DarthK1tteh]

This movie was a trip and a half... somehow it got even more chaotic than what I saw in the reaction up to the baby in a bar scene and I loved every minute of it 😆 To be fair, I was very distracted by how pretty Val Kilmer was throughout, lol. Had I seen "Willow" in the 80's, he might have rivaled my childhood crushes on MacGyver and Knight Rider... might have. Hehehe. Also, "Your mother is a lizard!" is worse than "hamster" and I was waiting to hear what the father smelled like 🤭The creature transformations were quite unsettling so those would given me nightmares for sure. Maybe that's why my parents didn't rent it from the video club. Saw E.T. in theatres at 2 or 3 yrs old and I remember being terrified & crying and I haven't seen it since lol. I also gave away all my toys that had eyes (except Mr Bunny.) Ahhh childhood 😅

[@rickmacfael1144]

Here are some 80's Fantasy Movie ideas for Fantasymovie night: Dragonslayer, Krull, Ladyhawke, Conan the Barbarian, Time Bandits, Clash of the Titans, Conan the Destroyer, Legend, NeverEnding Story

[@DougCube]

30:20 Well, the two actors (Val Kilmer and Whalley) got married shortly after filming this.

[@garretthenderson5738]

Lucas tried and failed to get the rights to Lord of the Rings, so came up with Willow.

[@mdm1271]

Sorsha didn't actually have to act that she fell in love with Madmartigan. Joanne and Val fell in love for real on set, got married and had 2 children together.

[@brettcloud8550]

I saw this movie when i was a young child and the only scene that really stuck with me over the years was the pig transformation scene. That fucked me up as a kid, lol. You guys should check out The Guyver film. It's cheesy and terrible but so awesome. Live adaptation of an anime.

[@TheTurbanator123]

Can't believe that's matt murdocks mom