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The Dark Crystal
 
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The Dark Crystal

Starring: John Baddeley, Robbie Barnett Director: Jim Henson, Frank Oz
4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (190 customer reviews)
List Price: CDN$ 30.95
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Product Description

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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.

The DVD features the 50-minute documentary The World of the Dark Crystal, with interviews and illuminating behind-the-scenes glimpses. The VHS edition includes a shortened 15-minute version of the documentary. --Sean Axmaker



Additional Features

The greater definition and richer colors of the Dark Crystal Superbit DVD make it much more pleasant to watch than the Special Edition DVD. The print, however, is the same, with several scratches on the film still showing. The new DTS track is good, but the original Dolby Digital 5.1 was good as well. As with most Superbits, the higher bit rate and DTS track mean the disc doesn't have enough storage capacity for extra features, and in this case the loss is significant: the Special Edition has an hourlong making-of documentary, deleted scenes, artwork, and an isolated music score. So aficionados might want to upgrade to the Superbit edition for the film while holding on to the original for the features, although the picture quality of the documentary and deleted scenes is so poor that watching it after getting used to the Superbit picture might make one's eyes water. --David Horiuchi
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Customer Reviews

190 Reviews
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3 star:
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2 star:
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Average Customer Review
4.4 out of 5 stars (190 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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4.0 out of 5 stars Henson's genius lives on!, Nov 14 2009
By Robert Badgley (London,Ontario,Canada) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   
This review is from: The Dark Crystal (Widescreen) (DVD)
This is another retro-review featuring movies/DVDs that have been out for quite some time but I have never critiqued.This one I recently revisited for the first time since its' first release in theatres back in /82;and gladly it has not lost any of its'power to fascinate.
Inspired by fantasy characters from the works of Brian Stroud,Henson came up with a plot which involves the Crystal of Truth.The Urskeks were once the guardians of this huge crystal but cracked it,thus splitting their race into the gentle Mystics and the evil Skeksis(symbolic of the evil/good in all creatures).
The Skeksis are large,ugly bird like creatures who rely on the power of the now Dark Crystal to dominate their world.However prophecies fortell of a Gelfling who is to recover the broken shard from the broken Crystal of Truth and restore the Urskeks race.The Skeksis try to make sure this never happens,but fate is in motion and a Gelfling by the name of Jen is the chosen one.Along his journey he meets another Gelfling(elf-eared creatures),called Kira.The knowledge of one compliments the other and together they journey back to the Dark Crystal and restore the shard and the Urskek race.
A totally engaging and imaginative tale,The Dark Crystal was a perfect vehicle in which Henson would display his numerous talents as a puppeteer.As the founding father of the Muppets,he and his close collaborator Frank Oz created a unique world here and the myriad of creatures brought to life on screen,big and small,is astounding.For instance,watch the scene where Jen is sitting in the swamp.As the camera pans left to right watch for all the critters that emphasize just how alive the swamp really is.And little touches like Kira's dog when it barks/whines when it fears it's getting left behind;very visible are its' tonsils.The details make the film that much more enjoyable,and Henson was a stickler for details.
The picture was produced with the minimum of computer help.While his Labyrinth was mostly humans,humans in costume and muppets,The Dark Crystal features mostly men in costumes and muppets,no humans.It was quite an undertaking but Henson pulled it off brilliantly.Henson left us too soon and it makes you wonder just how much he would have been able to accomplish with today's technology had he survived.
As an aside I do not know if this is the original print of the movie.I seem to recall that some creatures spoke their own language and it was subtitled.I recall that that slowed the pace of the movie somewhat but this print actually enhances it without it so,unusually,I'm not complaining.Although it would be nice to have the original print and this one to compare them.
Technically the back jacket on this particluar release(2005) says it has been mastered in Hi-Def but the print,while clear,still shows a little too much dirt specs.A recent remastered release is much better picture wise but it lacks all the special features existing on this release.Those include a documentary on the films making,deleted funeral scenes,original language work print scenes,drawings and profiles and the original trailer.Maybe one day they will release all of these features on one disc.
For now however this film/DVD is certainly a keeper.This wonderful film will amuse and facinate both the young and young at heart.While we have relatively little of puppet master Henson's works on celluloid,there is much to savour in every one of his works and The Dark Crystal is no exception.
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5.0 out of 5 stars When three suns align, Sep 7 2008
By E. A Solinas "ea_solinas" (MD USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

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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5.0 out of 5 stars An awesome fantasy film from Jim Henson, Nov 24 2007
By Frances L. Arsenault "lover of literature" (Nanaimo, BC, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: The Dark Crystal (Widescreen) (DVD)
This is an awesome fantasy film from The Muppets' very own Jim Henson. The film has an essence of J.R.R. Tolkien (the author of the ever popular Lord of the Rings Trilogy); an amazing planet/world with such fascinating creatures and places too. My favorite D.C. creature is the Gelfling like Jen & Kira (also my favorite characters from the film, they are so adorable).

I must comment on Brian Froud, for his conceptual art that was put into the film, for each race in the film,and Trevor Jones' excellent music score too...very good job,guys,you are AWESOME!

My favorite scenes are when Jen visits Aughra to retrieve the crystal shard,and when Jen meet Kira (his main squeeze *giggles*),and when Jen & Kira are at the old Gelfling ruins.
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 		 Most recent customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the coolest movies EVER!
This is a seriously cool movie at an extreme. It has got a great original story, cool characters and awesome effects [even for this time period]. Read more
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5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Fantastic
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5.0 out of 5 stars A little over priced, but otherwise the best move ever!
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