Disney+’s new TV show, Willow, serves as a sequel to Disney’s original 1988 film of the same name. While I knew nothing about the movie or its prior existence, I did enjoy the first episode of this new series and look forward to seeing what the rest of the season holds – serving lots of storybook-esque whimsy and caricature characters, it was nice to just watch a program that feels childish.
The story revolves around Kit, played by Ruby Cruz (Mare of Easttown), a tenacious young woman, daughter of Queen Sorsha, played by Joanne Whalley (Scandal, Willow). Of course, Kit doesn’t want to participate in her arranged marriage, she wants to have her own sense of agency in the world, etc. All of the typical things that one gets out of a fairytale, monarchal set-up. Sorsha fears that bad spirits are coming back to haunt her kingdom, where she’s been made queen only because of the defeat of Queen Bavmorda, featured in the 1988 movie.
Kit’s twin brother, Airk, played by Dempsey Bryk (The Birch, Marlene), is a charming playboy currently in love with Dove, played by Ellie Bamber (Nocturnal Animals, The Serpent), a member of the palace’s kitchen staff. Now, the fact that the show makes such a big deal out of Dove and she doesn’t just go away when the hero’s journey commences led me to believe she has to be Elora, the baby that Queen Sorsha and her husband have held hidden in their care by the advice of Willow. Elora is only supposed to appear once some sort of prophecy is fulfilled, but here she is!
Fast forward through more of the episode, and Airk gets kidnapped by members of The Gales, kickstarting the beginning of the hero’s journey/adventure show that Willow is soon to become. The “rescue team” is a band of unlikely misfits, featuring Kit, the girl that Kit is in love with, the idiotic man that Kit is supposed to marry, a knight, and a man that’s been prisoner in the palace basement for years. And Dove. It’s a weird bunch that doesn’t quite fit together, but all of their contrasting personalities serve as a wealth of comedic gold where they just poke at one another’s eccentricities.
“The Gales” concludes with the group arriving at the village where Willow, played by Warwick Davis (The Harry Potter Movies, Willow), lives. However, being a sorcerer, Willow has been awaiting their appearance for a long time. This is also where Dove’s true identity comes to revelation.
I’m intrigued to see where the rest of this program goes, and I may even watch the movie to try and get a better understanding of what this series is about. Regardless, it’s nice to get back in touch with my love of fantasy and adventure movies like I had as a kid.
Rating: 7.5/10.0