Highly Overrated But Still Good

As somebody who had not heard any of this before, it became a curious phenomenon to sit and watch a film and slowly have the realities begin to click into place.

The biggest problem with this movie is it’s a little better than you think it might be, which somehow makes it worse. As in, it takes itself a bit too seriously, which makes most of the movie feel kind of dull.

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

I just watched this truly haunting and majestic Henson masterpiece for the first time and the visions of the film still linger in my head. The planet of Thra was so dystopian, the thought of it just hits you on the head and breaks your heart at the same time. I wonder if Henson and Froud had subconscious thoughts of Hitler, Stalin, Pol Pot, or Mao and their actions of unparalleled savagery when making this film. It seems that what Thra went through was meant to be a warning to mankind not to tinker with weapons of mass destruction. This was made during the Cold War after all.

I was 40 when I saw this, it kept me bewildered, confused, fascinated & occasionally frightened for Jen & Kira. Let us not forget the puppy. I think it was a puppy. I loved the muppet show, so I expect no less from this movie, but got so much more.As soon as the DVD came out, I bought it. This was all live action. Even if it was puppets. I found it as good as Star Wars. What can I say? By the way, did you ever see Mark Hamill on the Muppets? Hysterical. Miss Piggy tried to get him to rescue her. LOL

Let me start off by proclaiming my love for this movie, my favourite of all time. My love of the movie mostly stems from its characters, most notably the Skeksis. The Skeksis include Emperor SkekSo, Chamberlain SkekSil, General SkekUng, High Priest SkekZok, Scientist SkekTek, Slave Driver SkekNa, Treasurer ShekShod, Gourmand SkekAyuk, Ornamentalist SkekEkt, and Historian SkekOk. The Skeksis also have a group of counterparts known as the Mystics or UrRu, which include Master UrSu, Chanter UrSol, Healer UrIm, Ritual Guardian UrZah, Alchemist UrTih, Herbalist UrNol, Numerologist UrYod, Cook UrAmaj, Weaver UrUtt, and Scribe UrAc. In addition to the Skeksis and Mystics we meet the Podlings, a group of potato-like peasants, the one-eyed astronomer Aughra (a feminization of the word ogre), and protagonists in the form of Gelflings Jen and Kira and their fluffy pet Fizzgig. Jen has been sent on a mission by the dying UrSu, who raised him, and along the way he meets Kira and Fizzgig, Aughra, and the Podlings. But for me, the most fascinating aspect of the movie was the Skeksis and their relationship with the Mystics. While the Mystics are unconcerned with material possessions, the Skeksis are extreme materialists who's very clothes are status symbols. After SkeSil's failed bid for leadership, he's stripped and revealed to be scrawny and bony with bad posture. Just goes to show that the clothes make the man (or monster). The most potent scene for me has got to be the death of the Skeksis Emperor. I actually find myself feeling sorry for SkekSo. The other Skeksis are only interested in power, to the point where SkekSil attempts to take his cane while he's still alive, albeit just barely. Like a 2-year- old, SkekSo grabs his staff and insists "I…am…still…Emperor!" The Skeksis are vulture capitalists that are actually vultures. This film is so magical that it's hard to believe it was actually made rather than being an item composed of frozen stardust. The Dark Crystal is all at once a fond childhood memory, a rare and beautiful cinematic achievement, an enduring tale of love, trust, and courage, and a masterpiece and a cornerstone of my heart.

The Dark Crystal is one of the more personal fantasy films made in the 80s. It's also one of the biggest triumphs practical special effects have had in the history of cinema. Because, if you didn't know already, every single character in this film is a puppet. They're animatronics, designed by fantasy illustrator Brian Froud, and they're all fantastic, ground-breaking even. They're all visually distinct, evocative designs that are sure to stick with you after you've seen this film. On a technical level this film is a marvel and it's a shame it was so hard to make because I'd love to see more films done this way.The story is also pretty good, following the quest of a gelfling named Jen as he sets out to find the missing piece of the eponymous Dark Crystal in order to restore balance and to stop the villainous skeksis from taking over the world. Basic stuff, but the execution really makes an impact here. The whole story plays out in front of you like something larger than life, like an epic from the ancient times. The themes appear clear and easy to understand, yet the deeper you dig, the more you find to analyze.Though there are some problems as well. Like the character of Kira, who's pretty superfluous to the plot and mainly there to give Jen a love interest and someone to save in the third act. She's an interesting personality, so she's not as bad as some damsels in distress, but a damsel in distress she still remains. The final third as a whole is overall somewhat disappointing because it's so predictable. I don't really mind it being classic because the whole story heavily leans on literary traditions, but it could have been a little more innovative.Nevertheless, The Dark Crystal is a brilliant experience for all fans of fantasy and for those that appreciate practical effects and knowing that what's in the screen was actually there during the filming as well.