The Dark Crystal
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Movie Reviews of The Dark Crystal
Movie Review: When three suns align
Summary: 5 Stars
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.
Movie Review: From beginning to end, a joy to watch
Summary: 5 Stars
Back when I was young, this movie used to come on the Disney Channel all the time. I loved it then as a child, and just this Christmas I received it as a gift. Having watched it only a few hours ago for the first time in years, what can I say? Even now as I enter adulthood, this movie still captivates me - even more than when I was a child.
Jim Henson and his studio really did a terrific work on this. I have never seen any great effort like this to completely create a new world in film. Every creature and every character is hand-crafted and created, and controlled by puppeteers and studio crew. Many sets are natural while others are crafted (and even more surprisingly, many are painted).
The characters themselves, however, are the most impressive. The Skeksis and the Mystics are well conceived, and in particular the Skeksis. I can't think of any other group of villains who epitomize evil in their simple existance. They are mangled, twisted, wrinkly old beasts who look like something of a cross between birds and dinosaurs. They all hold titles but only hold real power because it is they who possess the Dark Crystal. Even more amazing is in the scene where Chamberlain is stripped of his robes; (Chamberlain cries out as if his own flesh is being torn off) it is revealed that underneath all those elaborate garments, robes, and jewelries the Skeksis are nothing more than scrawny, hunched-over, pathetic creatures. I always believed Jim Henson had a statement to say about real power and those who only think they have it. (the Gorges in Fraggle Rock claim to be rulers of the Universe - but in name only) "The Dark Crystal" presents villains who show how twisted evil can really be - yet also how fickle and easily undone evil can be as well.
The storyline is very unique, and though its obviously another "adventure fantasy" it always keeps your interest through the characters and settings (if anything, this movie is a great visual treat from start to end). The music, conducted by none other than Trevor Jones, (who also did fine work for "Last of the Mohicans") is also very beautiful and suits the movie well.
The DVD I'm reviewing features the film in good sound and picture quality (I took some screenshots on my computer and was surprised at how well they came out) and some nice special features. These include a deleted scene that showed the funerals of the Skeksis emperor and wisest Mystic, character sketches of the Skeksis and Mystics (who actually apprently had another name at pre-production), old film footage of the Skeksis and other characters speaking their own language, and different trailers for "The Dark Crystal" as well as for "Labyrinth" and "The Storyteller."
All in all, it is a worthy viewing for people of any age. It dives you into a fantasy world and makes you feel as if you are a part of it. It is a pity Jim Henson did few other projects such as this, but "The Dark Crystal" still stands out as one of his studio's greatest achievement
Movie Review: ACTUALLY, IT'S A SPIRITUAL STORY!
Summary: 5 Stars
Few people are aware of the "story behind the story" of The Dark Crystal! It was written by a (former?) Catholic priest to represent his belief about the true story of God's Creation from the very beginning to the end of time -BUT from the approach that our God is "unconditionally" loving rather than One with brutally vengeful hell-fire and brimstone. (I know...this not the way I learned the story in my Christian upbringing either, but this author's story of "what life is all about" rings so much more true to me now).
This priest/author went to the Muppets genius, Jim Henson, to produce the characters because he felt that human actors would not be able to portray all of beings that are storied in religions. Perhaps too, this inspired priest/author wanted a humble, low budget, but effective way of telling the world's most important story.
In case you're wondering, I read about this film's background stuff in an interview that was done with the author a couple years after this film came out. He said that both he and Henson had expected the film to be a blockbuster. However, the film's message went right over the heads of most viewers...perhaps the message was presented too abstractly. Subsequently -and unfortunately- The Dark Crystal has been relegated to "The Creepy Children's Stories" bin. Sad, because I think it is a work of genius. I'm not alone in this belief because I've met three very intellectual deep-thinkers who say they have watched it 7, 13, and 23 times repectively -each time learning something new!
The film is packed with many SEEMINGLY casual images (mountains in the background, etc.) -which actually represent important places and events in Christianity, Buddhism, Islam -even Buddhism. The more of a religious scholar one is, the more symbols he/she is likely to recognize. The Dark Crystal has very memorable and powerfully interesting characters who represent many of Christianity's/Islam's/Judism's important figures. It's fun to try to figure out the meanings of the various events in the film and WHO it is that each of the Dark Crystal's characters represent.
Everything means something in this film! And the ending! To me, the ending in The Dark Crystal rings totally true of what an UNCONDITIONALLY loving God would have in store for all of His created children -us humans and the Angels that came before us.
Okay, now you have the author's perspective. Kids can still enjoy The Dark Crystal as simply "some fun characters' exciting adventure." However, I invite you to watch this film with God's Creation in mind...and see if you still think it's nothing more than a kiddie flick! The Dark Crystal not only worthy of being the blockbuster that the author thought it would be, but I think it's a profound and inspired film. It's great for interesting discussion after watching. Check it out!
Movie Review: Jim Henson's masterpiece
Summary: 5 Stars
Maybe my review is a little biased as this was my favorite film as a kid (Yes, the Garthim gave me nightmares, but that didn't stop me from watching it), but I still love this movie. I recently got the DVD after it had fallen into the dust bin of my mind, and I found that this movie is every bit as good as I remembered it. Kids will enjoy it, but there's much more depth to the film that adults will appreciate as well.This movie isn't without it's faults. The script suffers at a few points and the voice acting isn't as good as it could be, but the great puppetry effects and the story more than make up for it. It's incredible just how much work Henson put into this film. Watch the documentary on the Special Edition. It took them 5 years (and nine tons of foam latex) to make it, from conception to final cut. There were often several people operating one puppet, watching what they were doing on a monitor from inside. Try to imagine getting one take just right with all of the Skeksis in one shot. Henson even put $2 million of his own money into it.
The look and feel of this film is incredibly unique, thanks mostly to artist/conceptual designer Brian Froud. Some call the plot cliched, but I don't think so. Sure, there's no such thing as a completely original story. What makes a movie good is that it brings enough new material to the old formula to make it interesting, and The Dark Crystal delivers with a passion. It's hard to find a film that is as original as this one, especially with the deluge of garbage that Hollywood has been churning out lately.
The soundtrack of the movie also delivers. Trevor Jones (shame this guy isn't better known, perhaps The Dark Crystal was the peak of his career) created a magnificent score that complements the movie perfectly and accentuates the mood at all the right points.
A casual viewer might dismiss this film as nonsensical kiddie fare, but it becomes much more complex when one actually sits down and watches. The characters have a depth to them that you may not see right off the bat. Even though there's never a human in the film, you get a definite feel for the characters of the film and share the triumph at the end. There are several surprises throughout that often catch the view off guard but don't detract from the movie at all.
I was brought up with this movie, and I'm going to make certain that my own kids are brought up on this movie. It's a wonderful film that adults and children alike will enjoy, one that has yet to be matched. Jim Henson later did Labrynth, which was fun, but lacked the depth of The Dark Crystal. If you haven't seen this film, do yourself a huge favor and rent it, then buy the DVD, which has plenty of extras on it (But where's the commentary??? Frank Oz, are you listening?).
Movie Review: This Land was Green and Good Until The Crystal Cracked
Summary: 5 Stars
The Dark Crystal heralded a new age of puppeteering into the lives of many a young person and their easily influenced minds in the 1980s, showcasing not only the beauty of characters manipulated by a vast array of contraptions and the magic that could be woven on the loom of storytelling but also the dreariness that some legends hold within their epic grasps. This is one of the things I can clearly envision each and every time I look back in wonder on the tale of the Crystal and the "land that was green and good" that it lorded over, remembering how the thing came to crack and how the Skeksis began their rule over it. We join the Skeksis as they gather in a time of transition, one that sees them ushering in a new era as their emperor dies and another will ascend to a place of power. It is also an era that will usher in a renewal of power for these reptilian/birds as well, assuring their reign for another 1000 years if nothing amiss happens before the stars and planets align. Everything seems to be going well for them, too, except for a little prophecy that states that a Gelfling will bring about the a time of transition. Still, there isn't anything to be worried about because all of the Gelflings were killed long ago when this was first heard, right? Well, that's when the last male Gelfling, Jen, enters the picture and the quest to heal the shard begins; one that will lead in down the paths of loss, love, and the conquest of fear.
As far as epic movies go, the Dark Crystal has it all. There are evils to be watched in admiration and their counterparts, the Mystics, to study under a cautious microscope for any sign of weakness, tiny villas full of "people" to see, jungles writhing with lifeforms both fascinating and bizarre, and many a support characters to enjoy. Also, the DVD version has The World of the Dark Crystal documentary on it, an informative piece in its own right, and a deleted scene depicting the Skeksis funeral scene. This all bonds together into one complete puzzle that is good enough for kids but is pH balanced for adults as well.