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DARK CRYSTAL (1982)
It has been a thousand years since the Dark Crystal
was damaged, and chaos has been spreading ever since. Now,
as the conjunction of the three suns grows near, Jen, the
last of the Geflings, must embark on a dangerous journey
to find the missing shard of the Dark Crystal and repair
it before the window of time passes? If he is successful,
order will return to his planet, but if he fails, the vile
Skekses reign of terror will last forever. ***
Jim Henson and Frank Oz, who co-directed this mystical
adventure, use all of their previous works' experience to
bring this world to life. It is one of those timeless tales
where the good are honorable, the bad are terrible and morals
to be learned are pure. Even in this day and age of CGI
animation, this film does not lose any of its might through
the limits that were put on the creators back in the early
eighties. Both parents and children can fully enjoy this
movie together. This is especially important now, as the
original generation that grew up with this movie are now
at an age where they can pass on Jim Henson's magic to a
new generation. ***
LABYRINTH (1986)
Sarah (Jennifer Connolly) is your typical teenager
who is burdened with the duty of babysitting her young brother.
During one evening of babysitting, Sarah wishes that he
would just go away. The Goblin King (David Bowie) hears
Sarah's wish, and sends his goblin troops to take away her
brother. They take him to the Goblin King's castle, which
is at the center of a huge labyrinth. Sarah, who only now
realizes the terrible mistake she has made, begins a perilous
quest into the labyrinth. She has until midnight to rescue
her brother, or he will be turned into a goblin forever!
***
Jim Henson once again returns to a mystical world of
magic and creatures for this unique fantasy-musical that
blends live actors in a bizarre world conjured up by Henson's
workshop. David Bowie is in excellent form here as the Goblin
King, who dances and sings his story and plot, along with
his muppet goblin army. His skintight costume is a sight
to behold. Jennifer Connolly, who was still beginning her
acting career solidified a name for herself with this picture.
As with Dark Crystal, Labyrinth deals with powerful lessons
to be learned, this time around dealing with the importance
of family, and the lengths that one will go to for those
that they love. Henson again easily creates a tale that
both children and adults will enjoy together on different
levels, and allow for post-film bonding. ***
MIRRORMASK (2005)
Helena is a young teenager, whose parents run a traveling
circus that is just barely managing to scrape by. Helena
wishes that she could have a real life, and that very night
real life catches up to her when her motherâ?Ts illness
returns, and more severely than ever before. The night before
her motherâ?Ts surgery, Helena falls asleep anxious to hear
any update. But when she awakens the next morning, she finds
herself transported to a dream-like fantasy world, a world
it seems, of her own creation. After learning of the disaster
that has befallen her dreamworld, she sets off to find the
MirrorMask, the only item that will restore balance to the
world. The only problem is, no one knows where it is, or
what it even looks like! ***
This wonderful fantasy adventure will appeal to just
about everyone that doesnâ?~t have a permanent scowl on
their face. It wears its influences clearly on its sleeve
- from recent works such as LABYRINTH and THE NEVERENDING
STORY (using the main plotline of a before-time-runs-out
quest) all the way back to THE WIZARD OF OZ (including Helena
trying to get home and the use of actors playing several
parts). Neil Gaiman, a master writer of fantasy and mystery
whose previous creations include the award-winning comic
books Sandman and Books Of Magic, is the author behind this
movie. It is certainly one of the more unique films ever
to be realized, as it blends computer animation with human
counterparts, while still keeping a very organic feel. As
with LABYRINTH, this film deals with the importance of family
and love. In todayâ?Ts day and age, this film can act as
a segue into older fantasy-family oriented films, as todayâ?Ts
youth may feel they are too old for â?opuppetsâ?.
Image & Sound:
Each film is presented in their original aspect ratio
and features Dolby Digital sound.
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