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Willow (PG, 1988)

common sense media says

Magic-filled fantasy adventure for tweens and up.

parents & educators say
  • 43% say violence is an issue
  • 43% say there are positive role models
See all 11 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this film starts with the evil queen searching for a baby and planning to kill it. There is a scene where innocent villagers are frightened by soldiers invading their village, looking for the princess baby. It shows a battle scene with sword fighting, men dying, and blood on bodies. There is also some romantic kissing between Val Kilmer and Joanne Whalley's characters. Despite all this, the film is beautifully filmed and shows important moral themes related to good over evil.

Positive messages: -Warwick Davis's character models exemplary parenting of his own children and becomes very protective of the baby princess.
Violence & scariness: Sword fighting, hand-to-hand combat, punching. One scene shows innocent villagers running in fear from soldiers. A wildebeest attacks the midwife who saved the princess baby.
Sexy stuff: Some romantic kissing. One scene hints of Val Kilmer involved with another man's wife.
Language: Degradation of main character by his community.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Pub scene shows folks drinking.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Willow

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

Families can talk about the moral dilemma faced by Willow to deliver the baby princess to safety and yet leaving his own family behind in potential danger. For children who have outgrown Disney adventures and animation, WILLOW is a great entrée into the fantasy genre, brought to the big screen by director Ron Howard and writer George Lucas.

What's the story?

What's the story?

Willow (Warwick Davis) is a Nelwyn, a dwarf-like person, who is a farmer and aspiring sorcerer. His children find a baby, a special princess who is the chosen one to bring down the reign of terror by the magical evil queen. The Nelwyn community is frightened by this baby, a Daikini or big person, and commands Willow to return the baby to its kind. The first Nelwyn met is a hooligan named Madmartigan (Val Kilmer). Willow has bonded with the baby and does not trust Madmaritgan. These two pair up to save the baby, meeting forest fairies and a kind sorceress along the way. Madmartigan receives a dose of fairy powder causing him to fall in love with Sorsha, daughter to the evil queen. The powder wears off, but not the affection. In the end, good triumphs over evil; Willow is a hero; and the baby princess is left in the loving arms of Sorsha and Madmartigan.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

For today's Harry Potter generation, a viewing of WILLOW will surely be of interest. There's no more violence in this film than a child sees in Harry Potter or Star Wars, in fact, probably less. Directed by Ron Howard and written by George Lucas, it's a great film for kids interested in fantasy.

The adventure is easy-to-follow and full of school-aged humor, and two forest fairies provide comedy with their slapstick, strange voices, and snappy one-liners. Lucas' fantasy has interesting-looking characters and villages, gothic castles, and most of all, magic. There are no big surprises; we know who is good and who is evil. Though parents may want to fast forward through the fight scenes, Willow is an excellent choice to give young kids a taste of fantasy.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox
Director: Ron Howard
Cast: Joanne Whalley, Val Kilmer, Warwick Davis
Genre: Fantasy
Run time: 126 minutes
Theatrical release: May 20, 1988
DVD release: November 27, 2001
MPAA Rating: PG
MPAA explanation: action violence
This review was written by Pam Gelman
 
 

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What parents & educators say

9
Based on 7 parent & educator reviews:
  • 43% say violence is an issue
  • 43% say there are positive role models
  • 43% say there are positive messages
Read the reviews

Most useful reviews by all members

BestPicture1996
teen, 16 years old
10
 
Laughable, hard not to like
My Video Production teacher actually showed us this film to show how many MISTAKES we're in this movie, and once she pointed them out it was hard to watch without making a mockery out of everything, the awful acting at the top of the list. But it's a Ron Howard film, I like that dude, and the little Willow dude is so hard to hate. The special effects aren't bad, either, some, SOME might call them groundbreaking, but probably not me.
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helped me decide (15) | had useful details (14) | read my mind (15)
KonataReviewer
parent of 5 and 12 year old
7
 
A family favorite
This great movie shows that all people are equal....no matter who or what size..( in this case...Willow.) Willow is extremely generous....and tolerates much...knowing that second chances are the greatest road to achievement.
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Emerald8
kid, 9 years old
8
 
Quite a few scary scenes, there is blood and kissing but the movie is really exciting. Though in one part of the movie there are some people drinking alcohol.
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maxine resnck
parent of 9 and 9 year old
8
 
Scarier than I thought.
Willow. The movie Willow starts out nice, but it gets scarier and scarier. But if you like action, you should watch the movie, Willow.
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Rachel D
adult
 
Fantasy for all
This is one classic kids fantasy I grew up with and absolutely adore. Fun, funny and downright enjoyable. Great acting by Val Kilmer.
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awesome boy 2
kid, 11 years old
10
 
a family movie has some violence and language ages 10 and up
this 1988 family classic has some language and violence plus safety is sometimes a issue but there is good role models thats why the whole family and schools should watch this movie.
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johnthemon
adult
10
 
Not for 8 year olds, common sense media is inconsistent
They gave Empire Strikes Back an 11+ but this one an 8+? This is way darker/scarier/more violent/more sexual than Empire. Saw this at age 12 and it still was pretty freaky. Good movie, but dayum, not for an 8 year old. The evil queen wants to SACRIFICE A BABY ON AN ALTAR! Lots of people die, in violent ways, and many scary scenes. That said, very good movie, just not for little kids
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ChristianKight
parent of 2 year old
8
 
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persnip
parent
10
 
Kid's decision is split
My 10 year old liked it, my 7 year old didn't. Lots of sword fights, some PG kissing, scary monster.
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helped me decide (11) | had useful details (13) | read my mind (12)
killda
adult
 
A good movie
It was a good movie
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homealonefan123
teen, 15 years old
9
 
if your family loves adventure. this is a film for the entire family
this movie is good but some bad messeges. perfect family film.
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helped me decide (7) | had useful details (8) | read my mind (9)

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