Willow: Behind the Magic
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Willow: Behind the Magic
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Willow: Behind the Magic is a behind-the-scenes special about the making of the Willow TV series. The special shows actors from the series on set using weapons in staged fight scenes. It also showcases some of the creepy creatures from the series, though just in fleeting shots. Some of the romance of the series is hinted at. Overall there's not a ton of iffy content, but the entire 30-minute documentary is mostly an advertisement for the Willow series.
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What's the Story?
In the half-hour special WILLOW: BEHIND THE MAGIC, fans of the Willow TV series (based on the 1988 Willow movie) see how some of the on-screen magic is created. The cast, production team, and crew explain how the series was produced. Behind-the-scenes footage shows how some of the amazing visual effects are created. The team also talks about the legacy of the original movie, and how the TV series is carrying it forward while modernizing the story.
Is It Any Good?
There's a ton of interesting world-building, characters, and visual effects in the Willow series this "documentary" could have delved into. Instead, Willow: Behind the Magic spends a lot of time on self-congratulatory puffery. There's a recurring unfunny joke about Warwick Davis's ego that gets a lot of screen time. This behind-the-scenes look would have been much more interesting if it had focused more on giving fans insider information that couldn't be found elsewhere.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the behind-the-scenes view of the Willow series in Willow: Behind the Magic. Were there any special effects, makeup tricks, or sets that surprised you? Does seeing all the effort that goes into a series like Willow make you appreciate it more?
Several of the Willow actors talk about how they are proud to provide on-screen representation (specifically, having non-white main hero characters and showing a lesbian relationship). Why do you think it is important for viewers to see different types of people in media?
TV Details
- Premiere date: January 25, 2023
- Cast: Warwick Davis, Hannah Waddingham, Ron Howard
- Network: Disney+
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy
- TV rating: TV-14
- Last updated: February 1, 2023
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