Willard

3/16/03 - Review

Who else to think up a movie about a guy that can control rats then none other than long time ‘X-Files’ vets James Wong and Glen Morgan.  I would expect them to think something like this up after christening Cris Carter’s show about aliens and government cover-ups.  However, there is none of that here. 

Their story revolves around a naïve man, Willard Stiles, played by Crispin Glover.  His whole life he has been everyone’s scapegoat as he is always being picked on and blamed for all the problems.  His boss, Frank Martin, played by R. Lee Ermey, hates him and will do anything to fire him the first chance he gets.  Willard’s father created a manufacturing company and Martin came into possession of it when he died.  Willard was kept on board as a slave-like figure to Martin. 

Willard cares for his elderly mother who is the only reason that he still has his job.  But everything changes when Willard somehow gains the ability to control rats that lurk in the basement.  A rat name Socrates becomes the one that can control them all for Willard even though another rat, Ben, becomes jealous. 

After Willard’s mother passes, Willard unleashes the fury of the rats on Martin.  He plans on getting revenge for everything that Martin has done to him.  But one problem turns into two as the rats have other plans for their master.   

Glen Morgan and James Wong created some of the best ‘X-Files’ episodes that ever appeared on Fox.  You would think with that fact Willard would be a good movie as well.  If you thought this, you are dead wrong.  This movie is a bore-fest the whole way through.  The entire rat premise is unbelievable to any viewer unless you lived in a place where rats could learn and listen to humans let alone become jealous of other rats.  I didn’t know their brains could comprehend that much.  I have to admit that these two guys are creative but the whole process from idea to movie had major problems. 

Crispin Glover plays the same type of role that he did back in 1985’s Back to the Future.  Next time he should show some range of skills then just the typical “everybody picks on me but I will get them back” role.  About the only good thing about the movie is the performance by R. Lee Ermey.  He also plays a similar part that he did in the past with Full Metal Jacket.  This time, however, he only drops one f-bomb instead of the five per minute usual.  

I can’t even think of anything else that was good about this movie.  It was dumb and very boring.  Actually, I can think of one good thing: it’s over.  Save your money and watch some classic ‘X-Files’ episodes because they really show the talents of Wong and Morgan.  

Movie Grade

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