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The Dark Crystal

Created on June 15th, 2008 by Mikey B now with 81 views

I decided to go all the way back to when I was just a glimmer in my father’s eyes, yes this film came out before I was born.  Jim Henson was the man, and was the most entertainment I had as a child.  I know I have seen The Dark Crystal, but I remembered absolutely nothing about it.  So, I popped it in and let the nostalgia roll.  This is one film that I can honsetly say the title rings true about.  The Dark Crystal, is, well, dark.  I mean, really dark.  I wonder how many kids were screwed up on this film.  Clearly it didn’t do anything to me, but I was ruined by another genre entirely.  Onwards.

Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆

The Dark Crystal is set up rather nicely by a voice-over explaining what the crystal is and how two competing forces (good and bad) are trying to gain control of the crystal.  This of course comes back into play later, setting up a fitting endings and a very well told theme of the good and bad natures inside all of us.  The two races are the Mystics (good-guys) and the Skeksis (bad-guys).  We are then introduced to our protagonist, Jen, a Gelfling, who is tasked with reuniting the crystal shard with the rest of the crystal.

Jen, believing he is the last of the Gelflings, sets out on his journey, first to find the crystal shard, then to find the crystal itself, with many complications along the way.  He meets another Gelfling ( a female named Kira), which leads to some semi-emotional moments, between puppets.  He also meets her “dog”, Fizzgig.  This thing rocked.  For the most part it was just a ball of fir and an obnoxious barker, but he can open his mouth to almost 180 degrees!  Kick ass!

Throughout the film, Jen is attacked by large crab-like warriors, the vulture-like Skeksis, roots and runs into many other odd animals and creatures.

The cool part about this film, is not only is the mind taken on a fantastical journey with tons of wonderful characters, but the world is fully realized as well.  Everything fits, and every place they go seems larger than life.  Just check out the opening sequence outside the castle in the middle of a  thunder storm.  It’s actually beautiful.  

The film also does not try to be anything more than what it is, your garden-variety adventure film, told with puppets.  That being said, it nails it.  It’s a fully engaging film that works on all levels for all ages.  I cannot recommend this film enough.



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Category Adventure| Fantasy| Review| family film |


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3 responses so far ↓


  • 1

    KamuiX

    Jun 15, 2008 at 10:25 pm -

    This is among my favorite films ever. I loved it as a kid, watched it more times than I can count. Unlike Labyrinth, which I also was addicted to as a child, this is just as amazing now as it was then. As cheesy as it may sound, this is definitely one of the most magical films I’ve ever seen.




  • 2

    Morbid

    Jun 16, 2008 at 9:28 am -

    I saw this in the theater. I liked it ok enough. But it wasn’t until I got older that I really grew to appreciate the film and what it accomplished. I bought the DVD and watched it with my son a couple years ago, and he enjoyed it as well, which says a lot about this day and age when kids are used to CGI and all the other technological advancements seen in movies over the last 20 years.

    I still remember as a kid, particular scenes that always stuck out…pretty much ANY scene with the Skeksis, especially the one where the disrobe the other. I also clearly remembered Fizzgig…the fact that I remember the animal AND the name without looking is a true testament to the staying power of this film. The Garthim were fucking awesome then and now as well as the Landstriders, a creation that amazed me when I was a kid.

    And then there was Aughra. I remember how big they made her tits, that she looked like my pet pekingese, and her popping her eyeball out all the time was a bit disturbing.

    But yeah, in agreement with you KamuiX, about Labrynth. It is also a film I like to watch on occasion, and many years ago, I ranked it higher on my list than The Dark Crystal. But it has not came close to standing the test of time as TDC has.




  • 3

    impqueen

    Jun 17, 2008 at 12:51 pm -

    I think that this film may well be Jim Henson’s visual masterpiece. While some critics have stated that the Gelflings were too humanlike or not humanlike enough, I have always admired the sheer beauty and clean lines with which they were created.

    The plot moves on multiple levels - from a trinity-like view of the suns of Thra - the Great Sun, the Rose Sun, and the Dying Sun - to the aspects of the urRu Mystics and their darker selves, the Skeksis. The plot as a whole encompasses a basic “save the world” plot for the kids, but delves into a spiritual view of ourselves and our own planet for adults.

    Like you guys, I love Labyrinth. And i think it’s interesting how when we think of The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth always comes up. But of the two The Dark Crystal is the one that still looks lush and lovely onscreen.

    I’m excited about Power Of The Dark Crystal, the sequel set for 2009. In it, an U-mun girl, Thurma, steals a shard of the Crystal (which she re-shatters) to save her people. Thurma meets a Gelfling, Kensho, who helps her in her quest. The characters of Jen and Kira return, as do the Skeksis and urRu Mystics. Thurma is described as a “girl made of fire”, and the whole thing is being done with Henson family help and lots of CGI and muppetry. I’ll be on line to see it when it’s released.



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