Review of Willard (2003) by Allan C — 06 Oct 2017

From X-Files alum Glen Morgan and James Wong comes this amazing remake/reworking of the 1971 original film, which they've made into something wholly new. What remains the same between the films is that Willard is a social misfit who befriends and has a strange connection/control over a massive colony of rodents, led by the rats Socrates and Ben.

A major element that separates this film from the original is the casting of perennial oddball Crispin Glover in the title role, who gives a highly entertaining off-kilter performance that is pitch perfect for director/co-writer Morgan's jet black humor.

Morgan also get's high marks for adding a lot more suspense to this new version, which was lacking in the original. A high point of the film is a masterfully directed sequence where a house cat is chased by a horde of rats set to Michael Jackson's tender rendition of "Ben" (from the original film), which is absolute filmmaking magic.

R. Lee Ermey plays Willard's cruel boss and porn star Ashlyn Gere (billed as Kimberly Patton) has a supporting role as Ermey's secretary. The filmmakers here are not at all trying to appeal to a wide audience, but if offbeat horror with a dark sense of humor is your thing, "Willard" is a must-see!