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Dark Crystal (Anniversary Edition) [1982]


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Editorial
Amazon.co.uk

Jim Henson's fantasy epic The Dark Crystal doesn't take place a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. But like Star Wars it takes the audience to a place that exists only in the imagination and, for 94 minutes, on the screen. Recalling the worlds of J.R.R. Tolkien, Henson tells the story of a race of grotesque bird-like lizards called the Skeksis - gnomish dragons who rule their fantastic planet with an iron claw. A prophecy tells of a Gelfling (a small elfin being) who will topple their empire, so in their reign of terror they have exterminated the race, or so they think...The orphan Jen, raised in solitude by a race of peace-loving wizards called the Mystics, embarks on a quest to find the missing shard of the Dark Crystal (which gives the Skeksis their power) and restore the balance of the universe.

Henson and co-director Frank Oz have pushed puppetry into a new direction: traditional puppets, marionettes, giant bodysuits and mechanical constructions are mixed seamlessly in a fantasy world of towering castles, simple huts, dank caves, a giant clockwork observatory and a magnificent landscape that seem to have leaped off the pages of a storybook. Muppet fans will recognize many of the voice actors--a few characters sound very close to familiar comic creations--but otherwise it's a completely alien world made familiar by a mythic quest that resonates through stories over the ages. --Sean Axmaker



When three suns align
Review date: 2008-08-05 Rating: 10 out of 10

Whenever you think of Jim Henson's Muppets, the fuzzy kooky variety shows and entertaining adventures of Miss Piggy, Gonzo and Kermit the Frog come to mind.

But these versatile puppets have been used for far more dramatic effects in "The Dark Crystal," an exquisite little fantasy story that happens to be entirely populated by puppets. Not a live person in sight, from start to finish. Henson and Brian Froud conjured up a gloriously detailed world -- full of fantastical flora and fauna, crystalline castles and strange creatures -- and wrapped it around a solid coming-of-age story.

On another world, there are two strange races that appeared one thouysand years ago -- the enormous, gentle, peaceful Mystics, and the nasty, vulture-like, vicious Skekses who ruin the surrounding lands. Both races are somehow connected to a massive crystal that was broken a thousand years ago, and now a shard is missing from it. What's more, three suns are about to come into conjunction, and the shard has to be back in place when that happens.

The Mystics have cared for one of the last Gelflings, an orphan named Jen whom they rescued from the insectile Garthim. As the conjunction approaches, they send him out to find the lost shard. Along the way, Jen gains the crystal shard for himself, and meets the only other living Gelfling, Kira. Now they must both evade the Skekses' Garthim henchmen and bat-winged spies, and somehow infiltrate their castle. But what will happen when the suns line up, and the crystal is completed?

Many fantasy movies slap together a story that has been told many times before, but increasingly without interest -- throw in swords, some monsters, a brave prince or farm boy, and some evil witch/queen/wizard/Dark Lord. But fortunately nothing is so simple in "The Dark Crystal" -- although the origins of the Skekses and Mystics are pretty obvious from the very start of the movie, the journey along with Jen is what really makes this interesting.

Instead of some pan-medieval land, "The Dark Crystal" aims at portraying a truly alien world, and Brian Froud's slightly weird designs make it seem so -- strange swamp reptiles, colorful anemones, vast crystalline castles, desiccated vulture-like creature, shrieking fuzzballs, and gorgeous forests full of strange plants and animals that tend to move and act in unique ways. "The Dark Crystal" leaves you feeling like you've been transported to some other planet.

Additionally, this film also has the honor of being the first major movie to entirely star puppets, with nary a human being in sight -- some of those puppets still walk in a herky-jerky Muppet manner, but their design is utterly detailed and believable, from Jen's sort-of-human, fawnlike features to the vast four-armed Mystics, and the rattling armored Garthim soldiers. And the special effects end up being pretty spectacular, especially during the chaotic literally earthshattering climax -- while the finale is rather predictable, it is no less awe-inspiring for that.

At times it feels like the characterization gets a backseat to the movie's visuals, but Jen and fellow Gelfling orphan Kira are fairly likable, naive young heroes who develop a cute little romance throughout the story. The various Skekses are given individual quirks and personalities (such as the annoying Chamberlain who won't stop humming). Not to mention the abrasive, lumpy witch Aughra, who's an absolute riot ("Whole world might burn up... hmph... end of Augra!") and Kira's toothy fuzzball Fizzgig.

"The Dark Crystal" has some predictable plot twists, but it is also a glorious visual feast and a coming-of-age journey with the Gelflings, leading to a finale both awe-inspiring and bittersweet. Definitely a must-see.

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Reviews


A pleasure to review it!
Review date: 2008-02-21 Rating: 10 out of 10

What a great film! Full of compelling characters, and not a human, or an inch of cgi, to be seen.

OK, you have, er, well, puppets, there's no getting away from that, but the movement and characterisation is so convincing (except for Kira wobbling about on the back of the Landstriders!) that it's easy to be completely absorbed in the story.

And it's a great story: little good guys, big bad guys, scary monsters, love, a quest, triumph, disaster, love lost, and then a classic twist for a happy ending.

I was privileged to attend an exhibition in London some years ago, with all the costumes, some of the actual puppets, and a lot of extra stuff, and I can tell you that the Garthim are pretty scary even when they're empty......

Highly recommended film, for children as well as for adults. One you'll enjoy watching again and again - look out for what's going on in the background of the swamp, for example: or match up which UrSkek belongs to which Skeksis.

I thought the quote was

Jen(the boy) "But I don't have wings!"
Kira (the girl) "Of course not, silly: you're a boy."

So now you all have to buy this excellent film, and find out for yourselves.

Oh, and if you liked this film, try Labyrinth.

How come no-one has reviewed this brilliant film
Review date: 2008-02-11 Rating: 10 out of 10

This film should be compulsory for all eleven years olds, and every one older. It may be old but it is full of the brilliant work by Jim Henson. This is muppet magic taken to to the nth degree. NO it's not silly like Kermit etc but a trully wonderful tale of good versus evil, how it should be. Just buy or rent it and enjoy yourself.
And one thing you will always remember "of course I've got wings, I'm a girl".

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
David Buck
Kathryn Mullen
Stephen Garlick
Jim Henson

Creators:
Jim Henson (Primary Contributor)
Jim Henson (Producer)
Jim Henson (Writer)
Kathryn Mullen (Primary Contributor)
David Odell (Writer)

Director(s):

Recording label: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
EAN: 5035822014671
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 2
Format: Anamorphic, Box set, PAL,
Release date: 2007-10-01
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Audience rating: Parental Guidance
Region code: 2
Running time: 89 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1982
Language: English (Original Language)

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