7/7/2023 0 Comments Spark in the dark billy falcon![]() A big part of what has made Lucas and Howard so successful, in fact, is that innate ability of being able to tap into the humanity of any given story (With Lucas, for example, his `American Graffiti' and even `THX-1138,' and Howard's `Parenthood,' `Night Shift' and `Apollo 13') and knowing how to convey it to their audience. And because of that, it makes that necessary emotional connection with the characters possible, and takes the whole film to a higher level. The F/X, though a big part of the film, to be sure, do not supersede the story. A showcase of special F/X- it pioneered the `morphing' technique so vital to the success of films like `The Abyss' (filmed one year after this one) and `Terminator 2: Judgment Day' (1991)- it is nevertheless decidedly not a `special F/X' movie. With some help from George Lucas, Ron Howard delivers this highly imaginative tale- which bears that unmistakable Lucas touch- with a touch of magic of his own. So Willow sets out upon his journey, and along the way finds an ally- maybe- in the person of the self-proclaimed `World's greatest swordsman,' Madmartigan (Val Kilmer), and together (sort of) they embark upon an adventure that will ultimately lead them to a final confrontation with the evil Queen herself. For the sake of his village, as well as the safety of the child, it falls to Willow to transport the baby to a safe haven beyond the boundaries of his land and the reach of Queen Bavmorda. ![]() But the Queen, too, knows of the prophecy and is seeking the baby bearing the telltale mark. The infant bears the birthmark of the one prophesied to come who will put an end to the tyrannical rule of the evil Queen Bavmorda (Jean Marsh). A long time ago, in a galaxy perhaps far, far away, a baby comes into the care of the elvish Willow Ufgood (Warwick Davis) and his wife, Kaiya (Julie Peters). But in this original story by Lucas, that vision is captured once again and proffered to the world via the magic of the movies, in `Willow,' directed by Ron Howard. In 1977, when George Lucas made `Star Wars,' it turned the cinematic universe on it's ear with it's scope and vision, offering things neither seen nor experienced by anyone before now his accomplishments are virtually taken for granted, his vision dismissed by many with a shrug. When Neil Armstrong set foot on the Moon in 1969, the whole world paused now such things are second nature to everyone, veritably taken for granted as more and more science fiction becomes reality every day.
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