What to watch: ‘Willow’ is back, and better that you would expect

What’s on tap for this week? How about two high-profile streaming series, a tragic yet funny true story about two guys in love and not one, but two, Tilda Swintons.

Here are our takes on a few newbies available to stream and/or watch in theaters.

“Willow”: Disney+ does a fine job updating/upgrading the 1988 Ron Howard comedy-laced fantasy, which took a beating from critics when it came out but developed an ardent fan base and evolved into a cult classic. The eight episode series — I caught four of them — is entertaining for fantasy fans and serves up a few surprises, none of which will be revealed here. The special effects are top-shelf, the humor sly and the scares effective (so much so that this material is bit too intense for the very little ones). With well-developed characters and a diverse cast, “Willow” brings its titular protagonist (Warwick Davis) out of semi-retirement so he can join a band of misfits and royals to retrieve a kidnapped pretty boy Prince Arik (Dempsey Bryk), the twin of the upstart Princess Kit (Ruby Cruz). Kit’s other issue is she’s about to wed off in a marriage arranged by her scheming momma Sorsha (Joanne Whalley). But there’s much more afoot to this drama as evil and saviors get unveiled. Showrunner Jonathan Kasdan scores in making it so engaging and spry. Details: 3 stars out of 4; available on Disney+.

“Slow Horses”: Here’s some great news should you be a fan (and you really should be) of novelist Mick Herron’s “Slough House” series of spy thrillers that follow the exploits of a colorful band of disgraced M15 spies who prove they’re much better than their rep. Not only is Season 2 of “Slow Horses” (adapted from the “Dead Lions” book) a tick or two better than the powerhouse first season, but its twists and turns will knock you out of your seat in its six tight, taut episodes.

Gary Oldman chews it up again as cranky Jackson Lamb — leader of this wrecking crew of spies that’s slapped with the joking moniker of “slow horses.” Just as churlish and ill-mannered as before, Lamb starts snooping about into the death of an adult bookstore owner who used to be a spy and might have known a little too much about a secretive operation. The writing is sharp and tart, with Jack Lowden playing a shrewd member on the team whose grandad (Jonathan Pryce) was once in the spy game. Lowden brings both eye candy and strong acting chops to the role. But all the characters and actors are outstanding, with scene-stealers Kristin Scott Thomas returning as the skilled Diana Taverner, deputy director general of MI5, who can rarely be outwitted, and Saskia Reeves as Lamb’s “office assistant” with a secret past. You’ll clamor for more. Details: 3½ stars; first two episodes drop Friday on AppleTV+.

“Lady Chatterley’s Lover”: What’s essential in any adaptation of D.H. Lawrence’s groundbreaker on the illicit lust and love between an unhappily married woman of high social standing and a lower class gamesman is that the lovebirds have chemistry. Emma Corrin and Jack O’Connell have that and more, making us feel the heat of a can’t-get-my-hands-off-of-you attraction between Lady Constance and her lover, the book-loving Oliver. But director Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre’s gorgeous production isn’t merely about Constance’s sexual awakening but her societal one as well, as she realizes that she has contributed to the gap between the rich and the poor and needs to reevaluate how she perceives the world. That includes her war-injured husband (Matthew Duckett), who mistreats others. It’s sexy as hell, and makes Lawrence’s themes reverberate more than ever. Details: 3½ stars; available Dec. 2 on Netflix.

“Spoiler Alert”: All of us could use a good cry at the movies every now and then. And we get a great one in director Michael Showalter’s lovely romantic dramedy starring Jim Parsons and Ben Aldridge — both of whom give awards-worthy performances. Based on TV journalist Michael Ausiello’s best-selling memoir, it’s a rare film that addresses with authenticity not only the highs of being in love but the messiness that comes about when you’re with someone else. It’s heartfelt, genuine, funny and yes, terribly sad but it also celebrates love and life, even when it’s dealing with a tragic illness. As Kit’s parents, Sally Field and Bill Irwin are delightful, much in the way that Holly Hunter and Ray Romano were in “The Big Sick,” also directed by Showalter. If you liked that movie, you’ll love this one. Details: 3½ stars; in theaters Dec. 2.

“The Eternal Daughter”: In Joanna Hogg’s elegant ghost story, a mother and her artist daughter (both played by Tilda Swinton) take a vacation to a creepy, deep-in-the-country hotel, the kind that never seems to have many guests in it. Hogg, director and screenwriter of the two “Souvenir” films, isn’t interested in freaking us out, though, and while she cranks up the Gothic atmosphere, she employs it in telling a haunted story about family relations and past losses. It’s moving and poignant and quietly extraordinary should you surrender to its spell. Details: 3 stars; in select theaters Dec. 2.

“Christmas With the Campbells”: Although this holiday rom-com attempts something different by sprinkling some spice into the sugar-coated mixture, it all amounts to a lot of naughty talk and no action. It comes with a serviceable setup: A freshly dumped girlfriend Jesse (Brittany Snow) agrees to spend the holiday with her ex’s frisky parents (Julia Duffy and George Wendt) and meets a kooky and cute guy (Justin Long) in flannel. But director Clair Niederpruem’s seasonal effort oddly lacks sizzle and that’s odd considering the screenplay was cooked up by screenwriters Vince Vaughn (yes, the actor), Dan Lagana and Barbara Kymlicka. The fail to capitalize on a with-it cast and turn Jesse’s ex Shawn (Alex Moffat) into such a vain pain there’s no doubt how it’ll all shake down, while making us question what Jesse ever saw in him. Details: 2 stars; available Dec. 2 on AMC+.

Contact Randy Myers at [email protected].