Willard

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!

Excellent quality!

THANK YOU

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 wouldn't let young children watch it. It's an interesting movie.

As caretaker for my disabled mother who lives permanently with me - a task which has often infringed uncomfortably upon my personal life and left me feeling a bit like Grover's strange character - the plot seemed to ring a surprisingly familiar chord. I have also fostered a lifelong affinity for rats and rodents. For these reasons, I decided to watch this. It should be noted that this film is not a horror film - though admittedly the rat carnage is macabre, and the setting is dark - but rather a surreal drama with high production values. Despite whatever definitions might characterize Grover as a maniac, he is still depicted as satisfyingly human. Also, despite the dark role which the rats themselves play, they are presented more as main characters than as vermin. Ultimately, this is - more than anything else - a movie about rats. If rats on the big screen interest you for any reason whatsoever, it is worth watching.

I recently picked up a pair of rats as pets and was looking around for movies featuring rats. I came across Willard as a remake of a near impossible to find film release in 1971 base on a short novel. Overall.. i felt it was just so so though. There's a lot that didn't really add up at the end. What really bugged me was how Willard immediately bonds with the white rat (Socrates) while at the same time seeming to immediately hate the black rat (Ben). Ben seemed cool as hell though; he was like the boss rat. He also seemed to be Willards most "down" rat, meaning that Ben was "down" for whatever. Yet he wont let Ben upstairs, picks him up by the tail and throws him in the basement, and generally treats him like a 2nd class rat. Maybe it's because Ben is black and Willard is secretly a giant racist?

Love this movie

Bonsoir. Avis peut-être pas partagé mais en ce qui me concerne, c'est un vrai kiff. Merci

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!

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.

This is a great remake & a must own BluRay. Scream factory packed it with new & existing bonus material & gave it a new 2K video master!

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