Willard
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Movie Reviews of Willard
Movie Review: A fun movie for the whole family...almost
Summary: 4 Stars
My wife and I watched this movie a few days ago, hoping it might end up being suitable viewing for our 11 year old daughter who loves creepy movies. Except for one scene where the villian is surfing the web looking at porn sites and one "f" word...the movie meets the standard. But not close enough.Anyway, you probably don't care about that. WILLARD is really good, clean fun. The story is not exactly the most action-packed, plot-heavy you'll find. In many ways, we've got a 45 minute movie stretch to twice that length...but that's actually OK. We get to really know the character of Willard (brilliantly played by Crispin Glover) quite well, and grow gradually in our sympathy for him.
And we get to know the character of the two lead rats! Yep, that's right, rats. If you don't know, Willard is a SUPER-shy, socially backward nerd who lives with his mom, and works in his dad's company for a horrible, mean, nasty, insulting boss. When Willard's bedridden, crazy mom tells him there are rats in the basement, Willard sets out to kill them and ends up befriending them, particularly one lovely white rat he names Socrates, who becomes Willard's "only friend." Willard and Socrates begin to organize the rats, and not only do we see Willard's gentle side coming out, we begin to see his dark, vengeful side. But it's Ben, the big, ugly, mean, gray rat who begins to run the rat-colony more on his own terms, and is a direct competitor with Socrates.
The politics of the rats, Willard's relationship with the rats and his slow emerging from his shell make up the majority of the movie. Yes, eventually we get to see the rats wrecking a little havoc, but honestly, this is a pretty tame movie. Only two people die (and one VERY unfortunate cat named Scully, in one of the movie's best scenes). And it is paced in a leisurely manner.
But it is never boring. Glen Morgan and James Wong brought this remake to life (the team behind the original FINAL DESTINATION, and many, many great early episodes of the X-Files). The sets are stylishly grubby, the lighting is theatrical and effective and best of all, the rats mostly look real. I know they are often computer generated, but except for one scene when they pour out of an elevator, they are quite convincing. And there are lots of real rats too, and the actors and the rats work well together (I can't believe I'm saying this!). The young rat playing Socrates has a great future!!!
And Crispin Glover...it's so good to see him again. Ironically, just three weeks ago, I watched BACK TO THE FUTURE again. He is just such a delightfully goofy screen presence. Intense and not quite of this world. And aside from his frightening performance in THE RIVER'S EDGE, we really haven't seen much of him. I understand he's VERY tough to work with, but I'm glad he got this role. To be honest, I cannot think of one single other performer who could have played the role like this. Any other actor would have put a bit of "nudge, nudge, wink, wink" into the performance, letting us know they know it's over the top. Glover is totally involved in his performance, and there is one scene where he is in a funeral parlor and just GOES OFF on an attorney visiting him. The moment packs a huge emotional wallop. In one way, it's hugely overacted...but in another, Glover has earned the right to explode and we feel like cheering. It's a triumphant performance...I won't say Oscar-worthy, because that's not really the point. It is a unique performance that must be seen to be believed. It's not a major work (just as the movie is not a major work), but Glover has imbued it with a seriousness only someone who doesn't fully comprehend he's in a piece of fluff can do.
Also, on the DVD are some really cool extras. The deleted scenes are actually fun to watch, the music video is hilarious (especially with Glover's commentary) and the two documentaries are quite worthwhile.
So, why only 4 stars if I love it so much? Well, despite my glowing praise, as I said, this is a pretty slight movie. It never really scares...it's entertaining but not thrilling. And the ending is not so hot. It feels a little tagged on, and, to be honest, kinda like the end of several early X-Files episodes! This was okay for the X-files (where you got to see more the next week) but is a bit of a let-down for the movie.
But, SEE IT! I really appreciated the fine effort everyone put into this film. You will too!
Movie Review: Better than a film about rats has any right to be
Summary: 4 Stars
I have never seen the original Willard, and believed that this might be a serious handicap to my enjoyment of the 2003 edition. After all, no one would remake the '70s horror film about killer rats most infamous for the Jackson Five theme of its sequel, unless for purposes of kitsch. I was surely about to watch a movie filled with smug in-jokes and glib mockeries of '70s style. Then again, I thought, Crispin Glover is in it, and it looks like the filmmakers are going for that stylish post-modern noir that is all the rage, or at least would be if any of those films made money. But having seen the film, I now see that it encompasses both these elements, and yet is much, much more: Willard is a very enjoyable psychological suspense film, able to get under your skin not because of the creepy rodents, but because it presents, to an audience (at least in my case) lulled into vulnerability by their expecations, a far more disturbing portrait of the human psyche pushed to the edge.Crispin Glover plays this man-child on the verge of collapse, as perhaps no one else could. Mr. Glover must be getting old (how long ago was Back to the Future?), yet going to work in his father's ill-fitting suit, he looks as though he is in the throes of adolescence. In fact, Willard is still grapling with the issues of adolescence, making friends, dealing with women, escpaing the shadow of his dead father and the considerable pull of his invalid, overbearing mother (at least she's sorry that its her fault her son's life was a waste, and tells him this). Norman Bates comes to mind, and the comparisons to Psycho are unavoidable when thinking about Willard Styles.
In thinking about Willard's friends, however, the movie that comes to mind is The Birds. Actually, there's probably less blood in this film than The Birds, a surprising show of restraint given the trend in modern movies. (Big) Ben, the biggest, baddest rat of them all, has his moments of violence, gnawing faces or (most disturbing in its defiance) a foot, but he's far more terrifying when he's just sitting staring back at the camera, and perhaps has his strongest presence when not on screen at all. Once Willard realizes just how strong-willed a rat can be, he sleeps with a wooden cane, to club Ben with when he tries to get in bed with him and Socrates (Willard's favorite rat). After thoroughly rat-proofing his room, Willard goes to sleep, and later awakens to the gnawed remains of his cane.
Willard owes a lot to Hitchcock, and I'm so glad I didn't know that going in. If I'd known that was the intent, I don't think I'd have seen the film. If there is one thing the world does not need, its a remake of a '70s horror flick that takes itself too seriously. But having been lured into the theater with the promise of unassuming dark comedy, I was pleasantly surprised by the film's boldness in making a film of such gravitas. There is self-mockery and a definate kitsch factor to the film (did the rats really need to be fed a treat called "Numm Nuts?"), and the film does revel in style over substance at times (mainly the climax of the film, where the focus on style was appropriate and entertaining), but Hitchcock's influence is palpable. Crispin Glover himself has gone so far as to venture a comparison of his character and Hamlet: "Hamlet is a character who never comes to a decision, who doesn't act until its too late. There is a father who died but remains a specter. There is the closeness with the mother. There is the contemplation of suicide: Willard's 'to be or not to be' scene." That sort of quote, had I encountered it before seeing the movie, may had assured I would never see it, which would have been a shame, for as grandiose as Glover's claims sound, he's right.
Movie Review: Crispin Glover as Willard? Of course that is worth watching
Summary: 4 Stars
"Willard" is another one of those movies that disappeared quickly after being released that turns out to be a lot better than you would have thought when you check it out on DVD. If anything this remake of "Willard" is too slick for its own good and there is a point where an army of computer generated rats cannot help but remind you that it is computer generated (as opposed to being the work of rat wranglers). But is is a stylish effort which reaches its apex in the shot where a waterfall of rats empties out of an elevator to reveal Willard with Ben and few friends on his shoulders. However, if there is a quintessential moment in this film it is when Willard is given the gift of a cat, which he tosses into his house where the poor feline discovers it is grossly unnumbered. As the rats turn the tables on the cat, we hear Michael Jackson sing "Ben." You have to admit, there is a sense of fun and joy to the sequence rarely found in a horror film.The familiar story for those of us who remember Bruce Davidson in 1971 (his cameo is as photographs of Willard's late father) is that Willard (Crispin Glover) is stuck at a dead end job at the business founded by his father but now run by the cruel taskmaster Frank Martin (R. Lee Ermey), while at home he takes care of his infirmed mother (Jackie Burroughs). Willard does not have a friend in the world before he finds one in Socrates, a white rat. Then he discovers that the other rats in the basement are willing to listen to what he says. Well, except for the largest of the bunch, named Ben, and all of the ingredients are in place for the death and mayhem.
Writer-director Glen Morgan apparently wrote the script for "Willard" with actor Doug Hutchison (Percy Wetmore in "The Green Mile") in mind for the title role. This is rather ironic because the chief attraction of this film is the performance of Crispin Glover. To every one who saw Glover in the first "Charlie's Angels" film, the fact that he would be perfect as Willard Stilles seems fairly obvious. Emery, as the film's villain, is not as scary as he was in the remake of "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre," but still has its moments and it was certainly a trip to see Burroughs, remembered as Aunt Hetty from "Tales of Avonlea," as Willard's mother, who decides that his problem is his name and re-christens him "Clark." Laura Elena Harring plays Cathryn, the temp worker hired to help Willard at work and who takes a liking to him despite his problems, but she is never more than an observer on the festivities.
The DVD extras are fairly interesting given the problems Morgan had it putting a finished film together. Starting with a R-rated version that gets below average ratings from the first preview audience, he cobbles together a pair of PG-13 versions, with a changed ending, but each version gets even lower scores and the film is sent off into the world to only make $4 million its first week, finish in eighth place, and disappear a fortnight later. The back story on this remake is more interesting than most. There is also a music video of Glover doing "Ben," which he signs over the end credits of the film, as well as the usual deleted scenes and assorted featurettes. Even if you have not seen the original and even though it is not a really horrific horror film despite all those rats, this one is worth a look.
Movie Review: A new breed of friendship
Summary: 4 Stars
Not normally being the squeamish type, I got the creeps a number of times during this movie. Maybe it was the visual of hundreds of rats running around, or maybe it was that great, big one named Big Ben, or Ben for short. Either way, this isn't a movie for everyone, but then Crispin Glover seems to flourish in offbeat roles.In this movie, he plays the title character, Willard. Apparently this is a remake/sequel to a movie of the same title released in 1971 staring Bruce Davidson, probably most recognizable as Senator Kelly in the recent X-Men movies. It's a sequel as Crispin plays the son to the original character, but I think it can also be considered a remake, as I've heard this story seems to follow the original quite closely.
Anyway, Willard lives in a great big house caring for his invalid mother. He always works at the company his father started. The now owner, Mr. Martin, played by R. Lee Emery (Full Metal Jacket) hates Willard with a passion, but due to a promise he made to Willard's father, he keeps Willard on, but gives him quite a hard time, seeing Willard as a weak link in the company chain.
Apparently, there has been recent construction in Willard's neighborhood, and this is causing rats to take refuge in the basement of the home of Willard and his mother. Willard buys some traps, and captures a white rat. The rat somehow appeals to him in some way, and Willard ends up saving and keeping him, calling him Socrates and they soon become close friends, Willard allowing Socrates to even sleep in bed with him. It also seems he and Socrates have a sort of psychic connection in that Willard can give him commands and Socrates complies. Not only that, but then Socrates seems able to train the other rats to follow suit. Odd? Yeah, but just go with it...
Soon more and more rats begin to show up, so I would guess that there is a rat grapevine, and news of a rat sanctuary spreads fast. Among the new rats is a humongous one Willard calls Big Ben, or Ben for short, one I would have probably mistaken for an opossum. Eventually Willard's life begins to spin out of control, precipitated by a number of events at home and at work, and Willard puts his army of rats to work. The confrontation scene between Willard and Mr. Martin is truly a gruesome and creepy and contains some really good CGI work, in my opinion.
All the supporting actors do a wonderful job, and I really like R. Lee Emery, but I've seen his hardcore persona done in quite a few movies now, and it's starting to get a little old. The standout in this movie is Crispin Glover, though. The guy exudes weird like nobody's business, and was truly fun for me to watch. I really enjoyed the movie throughout, but I knew even before it was released, it would slide under the radar of most people, as it doesn't really have widespread commercial appeal. That's okay, for as long as Mr. Glover keeps making movies, I will go see them. I haven't been disappointed in him yet, and I hope for more in the future.
New Line has included a number of special features including commentary from the actors and directors, a making of documentary, deleted scenes, storyboards, weblinks, and full and wide screen formats. A stellar release of a quirky film...
Movie Review: Creepy and Suspenseful!!!!
Summary: 4 Stars
Crispin Glover is an incredibly versatile actor. His credits range from Michael J. Fox's father in the "Back to the Future" films to the Thin Man in both "Charlie's Angels" movies. He brings unique creativity to each of his rare film roles and is truly an underrated actor, almost always stuck in secondary roles, which he successfuly breathes life into. He graces us with a Norman Bates like quality in this remake of a 1971 horror cult classic, one of his few starring film roles.Willard, brilliantly overacted by Glover, is a wimp--a friendless mama's boy who is pushed around in every aspect of his life. His cadaverous mother, who echoes Norman Bates' mother in Hitchcock's "Psycho" (until the film lets us in on the joke by letting us actually see her), bosses him around. Her emotional bullying is as fearsome as the physical intimidation that Willard faces at work, at the hands of Mr. Martin (R. Lee Ermey).
The loud, foulmouthed Mr. Martin makes a point of reminding Willard, who always seems to be about 20 minutes late for work, that the only reason he has a job is because of a promise made to Willard's late father. Plain and simple, Willard's life is a huge mess.
This all changes when his mother howls, "Willard! There are rats in the basement!"
Willard hates the idea of rats and having to deal with them, but doing his duty, he sets out traps. He catches a rat, only to find that he can't kill it. Willard frees the rat and names it Socrates. They cuddle and sleep together, as Socrates becomes an island for the previously friendless Willard. Socrates not only repays Willard with friendship, but serves as intermediary between Willard and the hundreds of rats living in the basement.
But then there's Ben, a big ol' rat who brims with a shifty-eyed malevolence that is chilling. When Socrates meets an untimely demise, Willard, finally suffering one straw too many by Mr. Martin, goes over the edge.
Glover dominates the screen. He does a magnificent, 80-minute slow burn in his marvelous performance, which engenders empathy and ultimately pity when he goes too far. Willard isn't legitimately evil, and with this shade of gray, we empathize.
Rat-phobic people should be warned that these aren't cute rats. "Willard" employs a very effective mixture of real (550 of 'em) and animatronic rats. The mammoth, terrifying Ben is an African Gambian rat that is indeed the size of a cat, while Socrates is an albino Norwegian rat. There is some CGI touch-up of the rats' facial expressions, but Glover frolics among and cuddles up to the real thing. He does this with a zeal that makes what these critters represent for him - friendship and, ultimately, effective conflict resolution - absolutely believable.
The film is like a dream--slow, dark, scary, and emotional. The premise is a bit far-fetched, which is putting off some people, but this is a well-done horror film. It manages to get under your skin with its creepy setting and recognizable characters. "Willard" is definitely one of the most atmospheric and intense horror films to come out in the past decade. It's wonderfully intense and extremely emotional, a creepy and suspenseful thriller that I recommend to any horror fan. "Willard" deserves an audience!