The Dark Crystal (Collector's Edition Boxed Set) | Jean-Pierre Amiel, Robbie Barnett

The Dark Crystal (Collector's Edition Boxed Set) | Jean-Pierre Amiel, Robbie Barnett | The Dark Crystal

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The Dark Crystal (...

	The Dark Crystal (Collector's Edition Boxed Set) Jean-Pierre Amiel, Robbie Barnett Sony Pictures, 2003 average customer review:based on 302 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

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

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When three suns align

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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The Dark Crystal

It's a Jim Henson movie, that's really all I have to say. If you havn't seen it, you should. This is a must see.

Crystals and Creatures

The Skeksis think there dark rule is complete and that they had snuffed out the only hope that the world has for being spared an eternity in darkness, but the young hero has been hidden away, saved from the slaughter of his kind, the Gelflings. Throughout his journey you encounter strange and wonderful creatures and sinister ones as well, making The Dark Crystal, a classic fantasy film for the young or young at heart. Jim Henson's creatures are always fun to watch. and this is no exception. The characters and story are very immersing, making you want more as each moment unfolds. A wonderful tale showing what can happen when one party tries to harshly take control of a land and all of it's people, and how the smallest glimmer of hope can transform the gravest situation. I admit that it may date me in many respects, but something will eventually date us all, but I still love this film at 30 years old. The movie in Superbit, with optimized DVD quality and sound is a great find for those who enjoy fantasy films, and Jim Henson. In closing I would say this is probably my favorite Henson film.

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Cool movie

One of my favorite movies, great for the kids and not bad for an 80's flick.

Can you say "groundbreaking"?

They don't make family films like they used to. Remember "Return to Oz" and "The Neverending Story"? Well, they were brilliant compared to the family films of today. This film, "The Dark Crystal", is also brilliant in its own right. There are no human characters, the setting are definitely otherworldly, and the villains are definitely not kid-friendly. What I like most about this film is the way the characters are created (Jim Henson did a find job with the Tolkienesque muppets). What I like least about this film is that, like other reviewers have mentioned, the film tends to drag in some parts (most notably the first twenty minutes). But that flaw aside, this film along with many other dark family films ranks somewhere near the top of my list.

B+

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