Willow

I was sooo looking forward to this series, but sooo let down when I watched it.

We have some returning players here but we are completely lacking the original fun and magic from the movie with Kilmer and honestly, I think that's because we can't have Kilmer's unique style, timing, and wit this time around.

This series feels formulaic and it just doesn't work. Aside from the formula being very easy to predict, the performances are lackluster and dull. Warwick Davis tries, but even he can't bring back the spark that Willow Ulfgood once had...and again, that comes down to the absence of Kilmer's, Madmartigen.

I watched the first season, but I really doubt I'll be back for season 2.

This didn't even feel like Willow. It felt like people were attempting to use what little clout the franchise had and use it as a vehicle to introduce a story/characters that should've been written into their own series in the first place. Here's some issues:

1.) Willow isn't even the main character. Imagine going to watch Wednesday only to find out it's about her friends, and she's just kind of 'around'. That's what you get here.

2.) Remember the beautiful orchestral music from the film? Gone. Replaced by completely inappropriate songs, many of which are terrible covers. Hearing The Beach Boys in a high fantasy setting completely detaches you from the show...or Crimson and Clover during a weird forest rave. There's a reason the fantasy genre generally sticks with basic music...anything else feels out of place.

3.) The series changes things with little to no explanation. Why has everyone aged decades except one specific character? Why do certain creatures suddenly have an extensive vocabulary and look completely different? You'll be left with more questions than answers.

4.) The forced modernization. Every race and sexuality are represented. I've said before, diversity is great but not when it feels forced. When it feels forced it's almost as offensive as no diversity, because you're essentially creating 'token' characters. There also shouldn't be social commentary on war/pollution in a fictitious world. We're watching a fantasy series to escape our world for a while, not to be reminded of what exists in it.

Bottom line, I'm fairly confident this series won't be renewed, and with good reason. Warwick Davis deserved way better than this.

I grew up with classics such as Willow. The designs, the music, it created a general gloomy ambiance... there is a spicy darkness that I couldn't find in the series, even after the first episode unfortunately. I don't know how to describe it, maybe it's just sparkles and hints that went WITH the anxious music back in the days. Maybe it's just badly written:(( Maybe I just can't with remastered songs to go with this.

Also, no Madmartigan, I have to admit it's hard... But I was glad to see Sorsha again!!

The show is MOSTLY for new fans, and the fact that it's not so much for the OG fans makes me even more resentful towards Disney, and George Lucas (who wold his soul).

If you disliked the acting and dialogue, you clearly misunderstood what was going on in the show. It's not meant to be a serious and heavyweight fantasy like LoTR for example, but a fun ride that you can sit, relax, and enjoy for 40 mins. For me it even felt a little bit like fantasy satire. At some points it was almost breaking the fourth wall even, like when they were talking about "the quest" they were on (as if it's a video game) and mocking the tropers they were getting themselves into.

So having said all this, acting and actor choices were spot-on, especially the Graydon actor - he did an amazing job with the role.

I really wish this gets past the audience thickness and score bombing and renews for volumes II and III.

Warwick is ok, the rest of the actors, accents and all the rest is so far terrible. Willow was a childhood favorite including the books but this does not come remotely close to capturing the magic that was the original Willow.

This how ever starts so poorly in episode one and just keeps getting worse. The sword play is laughable, sets below average and the costumes are a complete joke. If you loved the original movie I recommend steering well clear of this joke of a show which I had high hopes for. Warwick and the music are ok but everything else is a let down with Val Kilmer unable to reprise his role as Mad Mortigan due to his previous cancer struggles and loss of voice.

Its a pity as this could have been a wonderful and amazing show.