Movie Review #17: The Dark Crystal

If you know me, you know that I am a big fan of the Jim Henson Company. My favourite movie produced by the Henson Co. is and probably will always be The Dark Crystal (1982). This movie stars puppeteers Jim Henson, Kathryn Mullen, Frank Oz, Dave Goelz, and Steve Whitmire. The characters are voiced by Stephen Garlick, Lisa Maxwell, Billie Whitelaw, Percy Edwards, Barry Dennen, Michael Kilgarriff and Jerry Nelson. It is directed by Jim Henson and Frank Oz.

Long ago, the Crystal of Truth was fractured into two pieces and thus caused the world to be divided into two factions: the malicious Skeksis and the peaceful Mystics. Jen, the last of the Gelflings, a race killed by the Skeksis, must fulfill an ancient prophecy that a Gelfling must restore the missing fracture to the crystal and destroy the Skeksis Empire before the convergence of the three suns.

This film takes many cues from the popularity of the Star Wars franchise. The lush, exotic lands and the unusual creatures of The Dark Crystal could be taken right out of George Lucas’ mind. Henson and Oz spend a lot of time with the pacing. They take their time with character development and their roles in the grand scheme. This type of pacing also a nod to that of Star Wars. Even the score has a little John Williams influence. Does this mean the movie is a poor man’s Star Wars? Not at all. This is a completely new and original concept with exciting characters, beautiful sets and an intriguing story.

It is quite amazing what can be done with puppets. No other company has been so ambitious with the use of puppetry in films. The quality and detail in each of the characters in this movie is mountains higher than anything you will see in a Muppet movie. Though you start out watching this movie trying to figure out where the puppeteers are standing, how many are moving that character and how they move those mouths, you will soon be lost in the new world of Gelflings, Landstriders and the Pod people. Through a combination of radio, mechanical, electrical and hydraulic systems in conjunction with the puppeteers and mimes, the Jim Henson Company dazzles us with fantastic spectacles that will leave you stunned.

The Dark Crystal is a must-see for fans of the old school design and techniques of Star Wars and the epic fantasy elements of Lord of the Rings. You might also want to check out Labyrinth starring David Bowie and the Storyteller television series starring John Hurt.

See you soon, in another land,
Toast!