Willard

This film makes me think of Joker (2019) and I know it came out in 2003, but I see the connection. I love it.

This movie was an oldie but goodie mover from back in the day!! This movie here shows how rats can be trained to do whatever you want, until you turn on them.😳

I've been the caretaker of several, several rats (All of which I love dearly) and everybody and their mother told me to watch this film and everytime I rolled my eyes thinking it was going to portray the misconceptions people have with rats but one day I decided to give the film a chance.Before I did however, I was very fortunate to watch the original *1970's* version along with the sequel simply titled, Ben, both of which I loved, though the tones were completely different. (Ben is way more light-hearted, musically inclined, and nothing like it's darker predecessor, though I found it cute when they name dropped Willard a few times in the beginning, and refer to Ben's pack as Willard's rats... Don't ask me why I find it cute).I did like the art style in this remake and Crispin Glover did great in this role. I felt I appreciated this film more after seeing the original, because I had a friend watch this with me, and she had a lot of questions of character motivations, like Willard's sudden and drastic attempt to rid himself of his companions. It seemed obvious to me, but probably because it was better explained in the first movie.I felt more emotional invested in the original, and it all felt more real, since Willard did spend a lot more time caring for his rats than anything else; he didn't even care for his job (nor do I remember his boss giving him a hard time). The caring and devote attention he gave them appeared to be a focal point, and rightfully so, while in the remake, it seemed like he was manipulating them from the start.My other friend had a gripe with the trailer, and the actor himself, he described Willard as a crybaby, which I didn't realize until he told me. I felt his emotions were warranted however and extremely powerful, but I would agree that Willard (in the remake) didn't really hold onto his power for that long before he abused it.The only strange thing in the film had to be Ben. The second Willard lays his eyes on him, he's distrustful. In the original, Willard believed him to be very talented and in a playful sense, referred to him as a troublemaker (which most rats are) when Ben did find his way into Willard's room. The way the two Willard movies dealt with Ben was different, obviously, which was very interesting to see, and in this film, due to Ben's power and size, was far more memorable, although I would've loved a remake of Ben.All in all, I have a personal bias for obvious reasons, and I have to say its the best film to watch if you enjoy the company of rats or even consider adopting any because this film tends to show off just how smart those little guys are when properly trained. (To an extreme in this sense, but you know what I mean).Anyway please be sure to check out the original Willard if you haven't already done so!

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...

I've been wanting to watch this movie forever. It's a thriller of thriller no way to explain it's really good.

Great movie. Quirky and fun.

R Lee Ermey is good for a few laughs but other than that, this movie fails to land.The scenario feels a little bit too clique for my liking.

Boy, this film was creepy but very good. It's hard to categorize as it's not really a horror film. Crispin Glover is disturbing to watch as "Willard", a pathetic loner who slowly becomes mentally unhinged due to his miserable boss who tortures him. He bonds with a white rat named Socrates who leads a gang of rats in his basement. Willard and Socrates become best friends and Willard realizes that with Socrates' help that he can control the rats. The woman playing his mother was really scary and not very nice either. Glover is a terrific actor and his physical features make his character even more eerie. The pale skin and blue eyes. Lovely Laura Harring shows up as a work colleague who tries to befriend him and seems to be the only person to show kindness to Willard. Lee Ermey is wonderful as the mean as a skunk boss who tries to humiliate Willard at every turn, until he receives his come-uppance. I think this movie will strike a chord with anyone who ever felt alone and isolated. The black rat named Ben - this evil rat is frightening and is jealous of Socrates' bond with Willard. Ben and Willard battle it out in the end for control after Socrates' death. Interesting and worth watching film.

J'adore ce reameak mieux que lanscien quand que c'est jaims wong qui et derrière la caméra en cherche pas à comprendre en le commande car je suis un grand fan j'adore c'est le numéro 1 pour moi

After searching new and used video locations, secured this before the last copies were gone. Although a remake of a fav movie from the past, Crispin Glover actually played the tormented and mentally unstable so well, and the rats well trained. Loved how Ben was played by a Norwegian rat and Socrates and the rest played by domestics. Creepy and disturbing, I love it!

I remember this film from the 70's and really enjoyed it. The last time I saw it must have been in the early 80's and had no hesitation in buying this Blu Ray. I really enjoyed watching it again and the fact they used real rats as there was no CGI in those days. I don't think directors can make films like this anymore as they rely more on computer imagery rather than using their brains. Willard starts off slowly but builds up to a satisfying ending. The blu ray quality is excellent and very clear for a 70's film. The sequel, Ben, is a continuation of Willard where a young boy takes over looking after the rats, and it's a little more gruesome than Willard. This is a great double feature with some interesting extras. The picture quality of Ben is not as good as Willard but this doesn't spoil the feature. Well worth buying the double films and you get a nice poster with the limited edition too.

Eines Vorweg: sicherlich sind viele hier enttäuscht, da es sich nicht um einen Horrorstreifen handelt oder der Film nicht an das Original aus den 70ern herankommt.Schaut man sich allerdings das Bonusmaterial an, sagt der Produzent, sowie der Regisseur sogar, dass er das Original nicht "kopieren" will sondern "interpretieren" will. Also: kein Remake in dem Sinne und keine 1:1 Kopie.Die Besetzung ist Klasse gewählt, zumal Crispin Glover ein fabelhafter Schauspieler ist und dies hier endlich mal unter Beweis stellen konnte. Die Szene in der er entlassen wird und sich weinend gegen die Türe drückt, war vom Regisseur nicht geplant, Crispin hat sich des öfteren die Freiheit genommen und seiner Figur mehr Leben eingehaucht als geplant.Sehr gefallen hat mir das ganze Bonusmaterial wie z.B. Making of, Interview, Dokumentationen zu Ratten und weggeschnittene Szenen (also ich hätte sie drin gelassen, dann wäre der Film auch noch etwas düsterer ausgefallen).Die Geschichte ist nun nicht so der Reisser, aber der psychologische Aspekt hat mich doch sehr bewegt, da es mir mal ähnlich wie Willard ging und jeder der einsam war und sich ungerecht behandelt fühlt, wird spätestens beim Sehen des Films verstehen was ich meine.Bemerkenswert finde ich auch, dass kaum mit Computergrafik gearbeitet wurde sondern 550 echte Ratten herhalten mussten und sich die ganze Crew ca 3 Monate mit dem Dressieren der Tiere beschäftigt hat.Für Leute die das Original nicht kennen und einen düsteren Film mit Rachegelüsten seitens des Protagonisten mögen, sei der Film sehr zu empfehlen.

Livraison dans les délais sans aucun soucis.Bonus: de jolis timbres pour la collection de la nièce