The Dark Crystal is one of those rare, fantastic, intelligent films that takes full advantage of the power of imagination. So few films immerse you in a completely other world so well. It is a classical tale of good and evil.
This story sees Jen and Kira, last of the elf-like Gelfling race, on a journey to the Palace of the grotesquely evil Skeksis in order to heal the fractured Dark Crystal. It is a simple enough story for young chidren to grasp, yet pertinent enough to engross adults.
This is not your typical Jim Henson/Frank Oz fare. Incredibly real and life-like, every creature in the film was brought to life by puppeteers. Some of the creatures and situations are rather frightening and could give a young child nightmares. Giant, black, crab-like soldiers called Garthim are shown breaking suddenly into peaceful areas and causing panic and destruction. There are scenes of evil, vulture-like Skeksis torturing defenseless Podlings (little gnome-ish people). The Skeksis also have sharp, jagged teeth and some make menacing noises.
I watched this film countless times as a young child, and while the creatures were frightening, I don't remember ever being afraid to watch the film. This is a film which does not underestimate the viewer's ability to think and wonder.
The wise, peaceful, four-armed Mystics are as fascinating a film creature as any I've ever seen. The lush, other-worldly settings and beings of The Dark Crystal will continue to fascinate me as they have done all my life. So much in fact I decided to change my whole profile for some shits and giggle!
As a major fan of the film I would love to give it a 10/10 but that's just not fair, so I would settle for an 8/10.
If you haven't had the pleasure of watching it yet here it is for free on YouTube.
http://youtu.be/YqwW8Y5AX9M
Some others great movies I enjoyed watching as a kid and recently are:
-The Never Ending Story
-Tommy boy
-Uncle Buck
-Harry and The hendesons
-Labryinth
& of course the old school
-Star wars films
Just added the last few so hopefully I could spark a memory in someone else that had the opurtunity to watch some of these great classics.
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks