The Dark Crystal (B+ or 3.5/4 stars)
On a distant planet, a species of decrepit creatures called The Skeksis reign over the land, thanks to the power & longevity granted them by a large, cracked gem ... 'The Dark Crystal' (a fantasy film acted out by Muppets, directed by Jim Henson & Frank Oz). Long ago, the villainous Skeksis massacred a peaceful loving race called The Gelflings because of a prophecy that warned about a Gelfing being able to find the missing shard of the crystal & put an end the Skeksis' stolen reign.
Jen (puppet-mastered by Jim Henson), a male Gelfling raised by gentle all-knowing Mystics, is sent by his dying master to find the shard - if he can only find the enigmatic she-ogre, Aughra (puppet-mastered by Frank Oz, voiced by Billie Whitelaw) & figure out what the prophecy means for him to do. On the way, Jen discovers another of his kind, Kira (puppet-mastered by Oz), who grew up among the adorable swamp-dwelling Podlings. But the Skeksis know of the Gelflings & send terrifying bug-like warriors to thwart/intercept the heroes. With Kira's village destroyed, she joins Jen on his epic quest for the Skeksis' dominion. But if they don't succeed in healing the precious Dark Crystal (to restore order to the world), the Skeksis will rule forever.
'The Dark Crystal' is just a wonderfully inventive (and oddly bittersweet) child fantasy film; creating a world full of mesmerizing designs & odd characters that transcend their puppet limitations. Brian Froud's conceptual design & costume work is one of the biggest contributors to this production. One of the standout scenes includes the attack on Aughra's magnificent eagle nest housing a moving contraption representing planets in a fantasy universe {just astounding!}. I also loved the creepy critters who show up within the narrative - kids will likely laugh when Kira's fluffy pet, Fizzgig, throws a tantrum {I was hysterical}. The gentle Mystics are enchanting. And you'll 'aww' at the Landstriders. The nastiest are the Skeksis, deformed lizard/vultures hybrids with shrill voices & horrific demeanors.
So yeah, the creature design is amazing; as is the sound/visual effects work; Trevor Jones' musical score; the otherworldly plotline; the mystery & fear involved in the quest -- it's all just really, really cool. The quest undertaken by Jen to return the mystical shard (similar to the quest in which a hobbit must return a ring with powers to Mount Doom), is your typical good vs. evil quest. And the movie contains spiritual elements & well-established messages about courage & nobility ... but all of it is contained within this wonderful adventure, & made special by the use of live puppet action, not animation or with humans. That is what makes it so unique.
Some small kids may be tempted to close their eyes during the onslaught of the horrible Garthim or the scene of Podlings being drained of their "life essence". This is a dangerous otherworld where dark forces have taken over & innocent human-like species are rounded up to be drained of said "life essence" so that the decrepit Skeksis can keep on tickin' -- that's scary stuff. So this movie is not for everyone. Furthermore, the script isn't incredible. And there are some ponderous/uninvolving moments. But if you dig 'fantasy adventures', this strange movie is a solid entry in that category. Every scene has its own off-beat, yet wondrous/majestic panache.
Jen (puppet-mastered by Jim Henson), a male Gelfling raised by gentle all-knowing Mystics, is sent by his dying master to find the shard - if he can only find the enigmatic she-ogre, Aughra (puppet-mastered by Frank Oz, voiced by Billie Whitelaw) & figure out what the prophecy means for him to do. On the way, Jen discovers another of his kind, Kira (puppet-mastered by Oz), who grew up among the adorable swamp-dwelling Podlings. But the Skeksis know of the Gelflings & send terrifying bug-like warriors to thwart/intercept the heroes. With Kira's village destroyed, she joins Jen on his epic quest for the Skeksis' dominion. But if they don't succeed in healing the precious Dark Crystal (to restore order to the world), the Skeksis will rule forever.
'The Dark Crystal' is just a wonderfully inventive (and oddly bittersweet) child fantasy film; creating a world full of mesmerizing designs & odd characters that transcend their puppet limitations. Brian Froud's conceptual design & costume work is one of the biggest contributors to this production. One of the standout scenes includes the attack on Aughra's magnificent eagle nest housing a moving contraption representing planets in a fantasy universe {just astounding!}. I also loved the creepy critters who show up within the narrative - kids will likely laugh when Kira's fluffy pet, Fizzgig, throws a tantrum {I was hysterical}. The gentle Mystics are enchanting. And you'll 'aww' at the Landstriders. The nastiest are the Skeksis, deformed lizard/vultures hybrids with shrill voices & horrific demeanors.
So yeah, the creature design is amazing; as is the sound/visual effects work; Trevor Jones' musical score; the otherworldly plotline; the mystery & fear involved in the quest -- it's all just really, really cool. The quest undertaken by Jen to return the mystical shard (similar to the quest in which a hobbit must return a ring with powers to Mount Doom), is your typical good vs. evil quest. And the movie contains spiritual elements & well-established messages about courage & nobility ... but all of it is contained within this wonderful adventure, & made special by the use of live puppet action, not animation or with humans. That is what makes it so unique.
Some small kids may be tempted to close their eyes during the onslaught of the horrible Garthim or the scene of Podlings being drained of their "life essence". This is a dangerous otherworld where dark forces have taken over & innocent human-like species are rounded up to be drained of said "life essence" so that the decrepit Skeksis can keep on tickin' -- that's scary stuff. So this movie is not for everyone. Furthermore, the script isn't incredible. And there are some ponderous/uninvolving moments. But if you dig 'fantasy adventures', this strange movie is a solid entry in that category. Every scene has its own off-beat, yet wondrous/majestic panache.