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The two biggest fantasy shows of the year were not the ones I watched as a kid. House of the Dragon had a lot of gore and dragons, but it was mostly a show about the political machinations of a big incestuous family, and The Lord of the Rings was a nice show with a nice pace. I would like a big adventure when I watch a fantasy show. The first time I watched Dragonslayer or Ladyhawke, I wanted to get excited. The original willow or something like that.

The new show is set more than two decades after the end of willow. It is a wildly good time if you are willing to enjoy something earnest, kind, and fun.

After watching the first seven episodes, I kept coming back to that. The show is enjoyable. It takes a long time to create its characters, but they are close enough to the story that you already know them. There is the brave soldier torn between love and duty, and the wisecracking bastard who wants to escape his fate. It is also played by Warwick Davis. He is haunted by bad decisions and needs to do right. He is still worried about the movie.

Four people sit astride their horses and look off into the distance.
These are four beautiful idiots. You’ll have a lot of fun with them and their various unique brands of being dumbasses.
Amanda Searle / Lucasfilm Ltd.

A lot of big sequels have been dealt with. Star Wars, Star Trek, Doctor Who, and even Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness like to bring back older actors to reprise roles. It is a nostalgia play that works on the surface. I know that the show caters to me, a person who grew up with The Next Generation and will forgive a lot of flaws to see my favorites.

In this case, it works because she is pointingly doing the same thing. I didn't feel as though I was disappointed by where he was in his life when I first met him. Even though the sequel has made our returning heroes a little miserable, the big triumphant ending of the film doesn't lose anything. After Madmartigan and Elora vanished to save the world, Willow and Sorsha fell out. He lives far away from her and they don't get along. She is the daughter of a sorceress and he is a wizard.

I think it’s fair to call him a himbo.
I think it’s fair to call him a himbo.
Amanda Searle / Lucasfilm Ltd.

A series of hero's journeys for the younger cast is what the new show is about. After Sorsha and Madmartigan's beautiful himbo son Airk is kidnapped by some gorgeously designed monsters, his twin sister, the princess Kit, sets off with her mysterious betrothed, Graydon.

Every one of those characters is wonderful. Sometimes they do it more than once an episode, as they grow and change over time. Most of the mysteries are dealt with in the first few episodes of the show. Even though it's a very funny story, willow just revels in it. The jokes fly fast but never get in the way of a dramatic moment. The best fight scenes on television this year were on Warrior Nun.

These characters spend a lot of time thinking they are smart and then being reminded they’re beautiful dumbasses.
These characters spend a lot of time thinking they are smart and then being reminded they’re beautiful dumbasses.
Lucasfilm Ltd.

The blend of stop- motion and practical made ‘80s fantasy films fun and the special effects find a perfect balance. There are giant puppets and people dressed in fancy clothes. The creatures seen in the film aren't up to date. The monsters are covered in fake fur and the troll are just dudes. The result is a nice one.

The show spends a lot of time pushing the nostalgia button while looking at the audience. When she was a child, she loved the movie so much that she always saw it again. Billy Barty put a character through a magic test in the original film and I got a big smile on my face when I watched it.

It could be different. You might not like this show if you thought the original film was not good. If you are looking for a fantasy series that will take you on an exciting adventure with lots of jokes, action, and queer romance, then Willow is a great choice. It won't be the one with dragons or a guy making rings when people ask what my favorite high fantasy show was. It's going to be willow.

On November 30th, Disney Plus will premiere the first episode ofWillow. The episodes will be aired weekly.