Here’s something fun for you. As a kid, I was absolutely petrified of Willow. You only had to put the film on, and my little feet would take me straight to my bedroom. I was safe there. When Disney+ announced a series that would expand on Willow’s world, I decided it was time to face my fears. Revisiting Willow was a fantastic experience, and it really got me excited for this series. Honestly, I have no idea what I was originally frightened of… And I’m mad at my younger self for being a bit of a chicken. Anyway, here we are… The first episode of Willow is here! And we hope that you’re ready for this magical and daring adventure into the unknown…
Synopsis
Picking up many years after the events of the film, Sorsha now rules as Queen and the young baby Elora Danan, the prophecized empress of Tir Asleen, has been hidden from the world. However, dark forces begin rising again and a new band of heroes must travel beyond their borders in search of the sorcerer Nelwyn called Willow. Through Willow, the party must confront their own inner demons, as well as the darkness that lurks around every corner, if they are to stand a chance against this rising threat and rescue the Queen’s son.
Review
Episode 1 is a fantastic introduction for many reasons. Not only does it guide us through this wonderful yet terrifying realm, but it also does a brilliant job at establishing a wave of new characters without forgetting some of the familiar faces that fans will recognise. You have to remember that new audiences may not be familiar with the original film from 1988, so this episode acts as both a recap and a bridge between generations. However, it’s clear that this series knows whose its intended audience is since the main star barely appears. But that’s the hook of this opening episode.
Willow’s presense is felt throughout the entire episode as it becomes obvious that something dark is stirring. But in order for us to familiarise ourselves with these new characters and their stories, Willow is deliberately and cleverly hidden from us. That makes it sounds like we’re forced to become attached to these characters while we wait for Willow to appear, and that definitely isn’t the case. The new characters are charming, fun and even relatable despite this fantasy setting.
First, you have Kit, a princess and daughter of Sorsha who is tired of having her life controlled as if she were a pawn piece in some larger game. Then you have Kit’s twin brother Airk who seems like a bit of a playboy, but his heart is in the right place. Jade, who we’re certain will become a fan favourite, joins the quest as a knight-in-training and as Kit’s best friend. In a bid to secure an alliance, Kit is forced to wed Graydon, a young and awkward scholar who joins the quest begrudgingly. Then you have Boorman, a thief and skilled warrior who joins the party in exchange for freedom, and Dove, a kitchenmaid who falls in love with Airk and musters the courage to set out and find her lost lover.
The first episode works on introducing each character in small doses, with Kit and Jade being the primary focus. You really begin to understand their individual desires, as well as their relationships and it’s so easy to fall in love with each member. They’re funny, bold, and brave, but most of them are still young adults at heart and that shines through. There’s a lot of chemistry already even though they haven’t spent a lot of time together. They have essentially been forced together, and it creates a fun dynamic that is very playful. On the flip side of that, it’ll be interesting to see how each member grows. For certain characters, especially Graydon, it’s immediately obvious where their arc could go in terms of discovering that adventurer within. So far, the cast is super strong and this episode does a brilliant job of building their foundations.
Already, this series is off to a great start thanks to the characters. However, this opening episode is so much bigger than we previously thought. Much like the original film, this episode revels in its use of practical effects. From beautiful fields, epic castles and towers, to the new evil forces that threaten this world, Willow is a visual treat and this episode holds nothing back. There are some fantastic visuals in this episode and we have the feeling that this is just a taste of what’s to come.
A visual highlight would definitely be the sinister figures who are actually quite terrifying. They’re all wildly unique in terms of their appearance and abilities. But more importantly, they’re a reflection of the legacy that Willow has. Willow was such a triumph in terms of its approach to visual effects, and the fact that this show is continuing that legacy by pushing the boundaries of practicality shows that this series was created out of love for the original film. CGI can do absolute wonders, but nothing can beat the physicality of a real threat, or the beauty of a towering fort filled with life. They nailed that original aesthetic and even added their own flare. In a way, this opening episode is very much about connecting to new fans while also reconnecting with the original fans. Many different elements can be used for the sake of nostalgia, and visuals is definitely one of them.
Episode 1 is a perfect amalgamation of new and old techniques, but it doesn’t sacrifice the evolving story for the sake of nostalgia. What it does is acknowledge how powerful it can be, so while Willow is absent the surrounding world is enough to transport the audience into that world, and it feels like no time has passed at all.
Verdict
Episode 1 is just an absolute treat. Despite the gap between the film and the series, much of the charm and wonder is left very much intact. The characters introduced definitely feel as though they have been catered for a more modern audience, but they fit in so well. Seeing them interact with the more familiar elements of Willow is going to be fantastic. As an establishing episode, this premiere does a grand job of revisiting a world we thought was long gone, while also sprinkling it with something new and fresh. The blend is quite superb and if this quality persists then we’re in for something truly special.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Experience the magic of Willow exclusively on Disney+ from November 30th. You can enjoy the incredibly fun and intense two-episode premiere right now. New episodes of Willow will air every Wednesday, so tune in again on December 7th for episode 3. Have you watched the first episode of Willow? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
