Customer Reviews
When three suns align - By: E. A Solinas, 18 Aug 2008 
Whenever you think of Jim Henson's Muppets, the fuzzy kooky variety shows & entertaining adventures of Miss Piggy, Gonzo & 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 & Brian Froud conjured up a gloriously detailed world -- full of fantastical flora & fauna, crystallline castles & strange creatures -- & 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, & 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, & now a shard is missing from it. What's more, three suns are about to come into conjunction, & 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, & meets the only other living Gelfling, Kira. Now they must both evade the Skekses' Garthim henchmen & bat-winged spies, & somehow infiltrate their castle. But what will happen when the suns line up, & 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, & some evil witch/queen/wizard/Dark Lord. But fortunately nothing is so simple in "The Dark Crystal" -- although the origins of the Skekses & Mystics are pretty obvious from the very start of the movie, the journey along with Jen is what reallly makes this interesting.
Instead of some pan-medieval land, "The Dark Crystal" aims at portraying a truly alien world, & Brian Froud's slightly weird designs make it seem so -- strange swamp reptiles, colorful anemones, vast crystallline castles, desiccated vulture-like creature, shrieking fuzzballls, & gorgeous forests full of strange plants & animals that tend to move & act in unique ways. "The Dark Crystal" leaves you feeling like you've been transported to some other planet.
Additionallly, 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 & believable, from Jen's sort-of-human, fawnlike features to the vast four-armed Mystics, & the rattling armored Garthim soldiers. And the special effects end up being pretty spectacular, especiallly during the chaotic literallly 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 & 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 & 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!") & Kira's toothy fuzzballl Fizzgig.
"The Dark Crystal" has some predictable plot twists, but it is also a glorious visual feast & a coming-of-age journey with the Gelflings, leading to a finale both awe-inspiring & bittersweet. Definitely a must-see.
The Most Alien World I have ever seen outsiide animation. - By: Mr. R. S. Hutton Mckee, 24 Jul 2008 I Love this film, its story is pure magic, the FX brilliant & the Muppets great. The voice talent is perfect & some scenes such as Augra's home are breath taking. A brilliant film & I for one can't wait for Dark Crystal 2 due next year or the year after that.
Tired story saved by excellent puppetry - By: Snail, 09 Feb 2008 The Dark Crystal is done by the same people who made Star Wars & two of my personal favourite films The Great Muppet Caper & The Muppet Movie. The story of The Dark Crystal is a dated one with plot lines that echoe ones previously used in Star Wars, Lord of The Rings & Narnia. The script & dialogue is OK & the characters are one dimensional. However, the Puppetry is wonderfull, the visuals & sets are beautiful & the whole film is charming & beautiful to look at. The ending has a final surprise(which i wont say). My younger brothers liked it & were not scared by it so it is an ideal family film. Watch it & be impressed.
A delightful magic tale for the little kids and the adults too! - By: Maciej K., 08 Nov 2007 This is one of the sweetest & most delightful fantasy movies ever made. It was made mainly for the young public, but I must confess, that although being now in the second half of my life, I still cherish this movie greatly. So - here, instead of a barrel chested half-naked barbarian, the main hero is Jen, a Gelfling, a pixish diminutive being with delicate face, orphaned in his early childhood & raised by a race of benevolent ancient creatures, the Mystics. One day, when Jen is already a young adult, he is told, that he was chosen to accomplish a great mission - he is the one & the only one who can save the world....
Begins an incredibly perilous journey, during which he will meet a fair maiden Gelfling, find a magic item of major importance, face monsters & traitors & ultimately go to the fortress of evil, where dwells hideous Skeksis... who are desperate to catch Jen, but reallly not to hug him...
Well, this is the same story we alll saw already dozens of time - but this one has some unique features. First - alll the characters are puppets, marionettes, etc. & still look reallly great, even in our time of CG special effects. The music is very impressive. The vision of the world is totallly unique - nothing familiar for us, Earthlings, it is clear that this story is happening long time ago, in a galaxy far far away... The girl Gelfling is possibly one of the sweetest creatures I ever saw - she is clearly a fairy princess (and she will prove it at a moment in the movie). Jen is a very kind & quite hero, but definitely not a whimp - & his noble attitude will impress the most hardened hearts... In one word, this movie is a monument of cinema! See it with your kid, with your date or with your dog & a beer - but see it you must!
Essential Henson - By: R. J. Harvey, 22 Oct 2007 
What raises Dark Crystal above its peers is its unflinching commitment to its own universe. Steeped in pleasingly complex lore, Henson & Oz have fashioned a convincing fable set in a consistent fantastical world. Their secret is to never wink or nudge their audience - kids aren't interested in ironic modern world references, preferring the wonderful puppet monsters (of which there are many), while surrendering parents can equallly be taken on an uplifting escapist adventure.
Perhaps, in a movie world of increasingly fast & merciless editing, the patience of younger children might be tested in the talkie early segments, but that's probably just me being patronising. Heck, it's a lot more involving than, say, The Phantom Menace's (another fantastical "children's film" - albeit a self-proclaimed one) endless dreary political wrangling. With its stunning production design, wild imagination, & a clutch of frankly barking performances (several of which are from the directors themselves), Dark Crystal is the quintessential Henson movie from a sadly bygone era. And yes, it's better than Labyrinth, too.
