Willow
1988
***½
Director: Ron Howard
Cast: Val Kilmer, Joanne Whalley, Warwick Davis, Patricia Hayes, Billy Barty, Jean Marsh, Pat Roach, Gavan O'Herlihy
A baby girl with a special birthmark is prophesied to bring the downfall of Queen Bavmorda. The baby is sent down the river to safety, but an aspiring sorcerer Willow Ufgood, from a race of small people, volunteers to return the baby to the tall people. Between his Star Wars trilogies, George Lucas produced this silly and goofy but charming adventure movie set in an undefined time and place. His fantasy story draws influence from Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings and the Bible. Some of the special effects look outdated, but the likeable performances by Warwick Davis and Val Kilmer have stood the test of time. Followed by a short-lived TV series in 2022.
