Arts & Entertainment

All hail the rat king: 'Willard' hits theaters

By Cheryl Stell
The Daily Cougar

Willard is a great movie for all the underdogs who crave revenge. 

It is a wacky story about a quirky young man by the name of Willard Stiles (Crispin Glover) and his struggles with life. He takes care of his sick mother (Jackie Burroughs) and works at the company that his father started before his death. 

Photo courtesy of New Line Cinema

He hasnit gone very far in life, doesnit have a girlfriend and still lives at home. To his dismay everyone around him seems to constantly shove these facts in his face. He always gets the short end of the stick. You know the type.

The audience will get some belly laughs and heartfelt cringes as the movie constantly confirms what a loser Willard is. 

The movie mostly bounces back and forth between Willard's home and job. While at home he tends to his sick mother. He loves and dotes on her, but she repays his care with abuse and obscenities. 

Not much is different at his job. Though his father started the company, Willard commands no respect. He would enjoy his position if it werenit for his crazy, old boss (R. Lee Ermey) riding his tail and humiliating him daily.

All this changes the day he meets his two new friends, Socrates and Ben. They may be small and they may be rodents but they start Willard off on a journey that will keep you squirming in your chair and eager to see what could possibly happen next. 

The two rats and all their buddies are very hungry and full of mischief. Willard contains many gruesome adventures that may make you think twice about payback and want to choose your friends wisely.

Director Glen Morgan adapted his screenplay from the novel titled Ratmanis Notebooks by Gilbert Ralston. The movie is a remake of the 1971 horror flick, which starred Bruce Davison and was written by Ralston. The footage is interesting and some of the angles have a creep-show feel. 

Crispin Glover is perfect for the part of Willard, which he portrays in the usual-unusual style that his fans of come to enjoy. 

The movie is more of a dark comedy with a twist of grotesque than a blood-and-guts gore fest. In other words, donit worry about the kids ­ theyill be all right after this one. The movie starts off very well, and though there are some parts that are not quite polished it is very creative and creepy.

Willard

Rated: PG-13

Starring: Crispin Glover, R. Lee Ermey

New Line Cinema

The verdict: Willard is a great artsy flick that is creepy, but kid safe.

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