Amazon.com: The Dark Crystal 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 an hour and a half, on the screen. Recalling the worlds of J.R.R. Tolkien, Henson tells the story of a race of grotesque birdlike 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 codirector 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 awfully 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
Labyrinth Sarah (a teenage Jennifer Connelly) rehearses the role of a fairy-tale queen, performing for her stuffed animals. She is about to discover that the time has come to leave her childhood behind. In real life she has to baby-sit her brother and contend with parents who don't understand her at all. Her petulance leads her to call the goblins to take the baby away, but when they actually do, she realizes her responsibility to rescue him. Sarah negotiates the Labyrinth to reach the City of the Goblins and the castle of their king. The king is the only other human in the film and is played by a glam-rocking David Bowie, who performs five of his songs. The rest of the cast are puppets, a wonderful array of Jim Henson's imaginative masterpieces. Henson gives credit to children's author and illustrator Maurice Sendak, and the creatures in the movie will remind Sendak fans of his drawings. The castle of the king is a living M.C. Escher set that adults will enjoy. The film combines the highest standards of art, costume, and set decoration. Like executive producer George Lucas's other fantasies, Labyrinth mixes adventure with lessons about growing up. --Lloyd Chesley
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Rating: - Fantasy come to... life?
Of course, we all remember Jim Henson for bringing us those fuzzy, adorable animal puppets and their kooky variety show.
But Henson also produced some very memorable, intriguing fantasy films, full of otherworldly beauty, humor and a distinctly horrific note at times. This two-pack brings together the quirky, dreamlike coming-of-age tale "Labyrinth" and the exquisite, otherworldly, horrific "Dark Crystal," both of which were swimming with very unique Henson creations.
"Labyrinth" becomes a problem for teenage Sarah, who is stuck babysitting her crying baby stepbrother, but would prefer to stay in her romantic, fantastical daydreams instead. When she idly wished that the goblins would steal him, she never expected goblins to appear and snatch him away -- or that the Goblin King Jareth (David Bowie) would challenge her if she tries to get her brother back.
Rating: - Two Great Fantasies From the Heyday of Fantasy Filmmaking!
Begin With "The Dark Crystal": Another Time, Another World...
From the age of wonder comes a tale so bizarre, so mystical, so magical, it has to be seen to be believed! A world that once thrived is now nearly a wasteland, ruled over by cruel, half bird/half lizard creatures called the Skeksis. The planet's more humble creatures flee from their presence. Their evil is countered only by a race of good and kind wizards called the Mystics, but it is the Skeksis who maintain power over the Dark Crystal. The only hope for returning balance to their world is in that of a small gelfling boy named Jen, who, with the help of his new friends, Kira and Fizzgig, and the guidance of a wise old woman named Aughra, must reunite the Dark Crystal with its missing shard and heal an ancient species.
An adventure that could only have come from the mind of Jim Henson, "The Dark Crystal" is a masterpiece in every ... Read More
Rating: - Great film - teens and adults in our house loved it.
The creatures truly come to life, and as you sink into it, the fantasy becomes richer and richer. Very memorable characters. Love the muppets, but in this film Hensen's mastery of the larger figures is amazing. It's one you'll want to watch more than once. Don't be surprised if you find yourself comparing acquaintances and family members to the characters.
Rating: - Special Features are a welcomed bonus
Simply put: Both are a must for any Jim Henson fan. I personally never really liked Dark Crystal but Labyrinth is a Henson classic. Both include items such as an hour long documentary on the making of Labyrinth and some deleted scenes from Dark Crystal. A great bonus to any DVD collection!
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- Fantasy come to... life?
- Special Features are a welcomed bonus
