The movie 'Willard' is a remake of the original 1970's film of the same name. In this boy meets rat love story, the title character is played by the creepy Crispin Glover, but the original Willard makes a cameo in the film. Bruce Davison is shown in a painting and photographs as Willard's dead father, as a wink to those that have seen the original.
POSSIBLE SPOILERS: I was frankly expecting far more rat carnage and action, and was left a little disappointed that the film didn't capitalize enough on the improved special effects to create thrills and chills. What the film delivers is a character study of a strange and pitiable character who learns he has the ability to train and control rats, with the help of his beloved white rat Socrates. The film's villain, apart from Willard's evil boss played by R. Lee Ermey(who we all want to be dead, as we did in 'Full Metal Jacket), is the big black rat called Ben. What is not clear is why Willard loves Socrates so much, but hates Ben, because Ben doesn't really want to do anything but share a little quality time with Willard too. Ben ends up turning on Willard, but only because Willard ends up acting against Ben. This film comically seems to say that big black rats can't be lovable, but little white ones are. Not to belittle racism in society, is this a racist message? If Ben was white would Willard have loved him as well?
This intriguing aspect aside, 'Willard' is not a bad film, but about as ordinary as a Rat/Boy love story revenge saga can be.
POSSIBLE SPOILERS: I was frankly expecting far more rat carnage and action, and was left a little disappointed that the film didn't capitalize enough on the improved special effects to create thrills and chills. What the film delivers is a character study of a strange and pitiable character who learns he has the ability to train and control rats, with the help of his beloved white rat Socrates. The film's villain, apart from Willard's evil boss played by R. Lee Ermey(who we all want to be dead, as we did in 'Full Metal Jacket), is the big black rat called Ben. What is not clear is why Willard loves Socrates so much, but hates Ben, because Ben doesn't really want to do anything but share a little quality time with Willard too. Ben ends up turning on Willard, but only because Willard ends up acting against Ben. This film comically seems to say that big black rats can't be lovable, but little white ones are. Not to belittle racism in society, is this a racist message? If Ben was white would Willard have loved him as well?
This intriguing aspect aside, 'Willard' is not a bad film, but about as ordinary as a Rat/Boy love story revenge saga can be.