The Dark Crystal

I saw this movie when it was released as a young girl. It's one of my favorite childhood movies all the time. I am so glad to see a closed-caption (CC) on screen. Finally. Due to being a hard of hearing as a young girl, I didn't understand what the dialogue is in the movie back then. It confused me. But now I finally understood what happened in it. I love fantasy. Both Jen and Kira are a cute couple. I remember about Jim Henson. I'll never forget him because he was a very successful puppeteer. The children love his puppeteers very much.

Top line: An amazing technical achievement and fun fantasy that stands the test of time.Rented from Amazon to watch with my 5yo son.Good: The Dark Crystal is a technical masterpiece, showing the value and timelessness of true craftsmanship and practical effects. In the 21st century, this film would cost $200 million to make and be loaded with shoddy CGI and overbearing voice actors from your favorite Thursday night sitcoms. But in 1982, Jim Henson, Frank Oz, and crew were given the creative freedom and resources to produce a tale that captured the imagination of viewers for generations. Images from TDC still both amaze and haunt to this day, from Trial by Stone, to Kira taking flight, to anytime the Garthim appear to terrorize. A terrific cast of characters and creatures, many of whom remain unnamed (yet unforgettable).Bad: Unfortunately, the lead, Jen, is very weak. Although he starts off in a tropish, by-the-numbers foundling quest, his story quickly falls by the wayside as he is ushered from plot point to plot point. He's doesn't have much to do, and repeatedly ends up watching his female companion, Kira, steal the show. Not only does Kira repeatedly save the duo from imminent danger, [SPOILERS] but SHE is the one that makes the ultimate sacrifice in the climax while Jen sits mostly dumbfounded, waiting for inspiration.[/SPOILERS]Other: I had no idea that Netflix was planning a 2018 prequel series to TDC before randomly settling down to watch this with my son, but the timing was great. Don't miss out on catching up on this classic before the new series hits!

One of my all time favorite movies. The special effects are dated, but I don't care. I remember watching this as a kid and it's still good! My kids hate it (I think because it's "old") but what do they know?

I remember watching this in the theater when it first came out. It was a movie ahead of its time, and not really appreciated for what it was, which is a groundbreaking movie of a fantasy world done in practical effects. The world created is very rich and the effects are mainly real, not residing inside a computer. I can see where some children might be put off, as the characters are not cartoonish and sparkling. In fact, more foreboding. And the movie is not fast paced and full of glitz. The voice actors are appropriate to their characters. This movie does stand up to the test of time, and a tribute to the geniuses that created the vision and the movie. Hollywood would probably never allow a movie like this to happen again. It would have to be test marketed, and tied in with merchandising and then dumbed down, and dialogue written to endlessly explain everything, so that no one has to think.Does the movie have its flaws? Of course, as does every movie. But the true test is does this movie hold up after all these years? And the answer is yet.

OMG where do i begin?!! The Dark Crystal was an amazing movie! If you love fantasy and a story unlike any other you really need to see this movie. Jim Henson (may he RIP) was a genius. How he is able to come up with this world and bring it to life is nothing short of miraculous. It truly is a wonder to behold. I absolutely can't wait for the Netflix series!

All live action puppetry and the hard work that goes into this, if you expect it to be perfect it will not be. Not even todays productions are “Perfect” I have read some of the 1 star reviews and all I have to say is “Let’s see you do that!!!” You won’t cause you can’t, so stuff it. It is an original story (Not much original these days.), the thought and details poured into the movie, keep in mind they did not have CGI, was all a work of love. First question before a movie is made these days is “How much can we make off of it.” Yea, we should all be motivated by the bottom line. For a child it might be a little scary but if you, as a parent, watch the movie with them and answer the forthcoming questions. There is a difference between real and not real, a difference between good and evil, a large difference between actions and inaction. Treat it as a movie to interact with your kid or learn a lesson for yourself if needed…

Review is for the boxed set. I have an earlier release of Dark Crystal that has many more special features. In fact, it is packed with special features compared to this. "The Mithra Treatment, Henson's original treatment of the film" is what caught my eye on the boxed set. I imagined this would be some alternate cut or featurette. Nope, This is a text-only feature on the disc. What's worse than reading text on your tv? If you are a Crystal fan and already own an earlier release, save your cash, you've got the best-to-date. If a slick box, one frame of the celluloid (probably repro) and some faux hand-written legal pad notes is what you need to round out your DC experience then pick this up. I'm giving mine to the library.

I hate some things about this film and adore others. It has beautifully imagined puppets,it unashamedly throws you into the middle of an outrageous looking, sometimes almost horrific fantasy world and amongst truly vile bad guys without much exposition or back history blended in. Yet, it is a brave stab at elevating puppetry into high fantasy and I truly wish it had worked. It's decent entertainment in itself but you see glimpses of how good it could have been and it's frustrating that it didn't quite make it as a great movie.Nevertheless, it's a rare piece of uniqueness in an often bland cinematic landscape and for that it deserves a peek and perhaps more recognition than it got on its release.

Wonderful viewing experience, I have always loved this film, I have watched it many times since childhood. The Blu-ray is a great upgrade from the old video formats, you can see lots more details and colours. I really enjoyed watching the film in 4K, it enhanced the nostalgic pleasure of watching The Dark Crystal ( for the umpteenth time!). Also a few special features are a nice bonus.

Ordered this dvd as a Christmas present for my two small cousins. Of course, I had to check that it was ok for them to watch. And fell completely in love with it. Jim Henson as only he could do it. Finally gave it to the troops, but it was a wrench. They nearly didn't get it at all ! I won't spoil it for you by giving away the plot, but it is brilliantly written and all the characters are superb. I watched two small people sitting on the settee, completely engrossed in it from start to finish. It's not often any child will ask to see it again straight away. They did, and I don't blame them. Buy it, and see for yourself.

I can remember seeing the trailer for The Dark Crystal when I was probably 7 or 8 years old and being absolutely gobsmacked at the visuals - and a bit scared too. I knew I had to see this film!It certainly didn't disappoint and remains a film I watch with great fondness. Technically this film is something else, the designs are lavish and suitably fantastic with a look and feel that's unique amongst fantasy, and probably all, children's films.Is this really a kid's film though? The themes are dark for sure and the Skeksis are genuinely horrible, but like the best fairy stories it doesn't shy away from the darker side of life. But I have to say I think it would freak out particularly sensitive youngsters.The plot is pretty basic. The orphan Gelfilng Jen has to leave his adoptive 'Mystic' protectors to ultimately 'heal' the titular Dark Crystal whose shattering so many years ago has led to the current threat over the land. So it's your basic young lad needs to save the world whilst becoming a man (well, an adult Gelfling at least). There's talk of a prophecy and a portentious conjunction of three suns but it's all fairly generic. The real strength of the film lies in its setting and its visual design.I should mention that this film is 100% puppets and no human actors appear at all - at least not as humans but a few performers in suits may be apparent. The film makers were meticulous in their efforts to make this convincing and have succeeded admirably given the restrictions on manipulating rod puppets.The Bluray release is a definite upgrade over DVD. The film was made in 1981 but the presentation is clear and sharp with a lot of detail visible. Is it one to demo your system with? Well no, but it's by far the best home presentation of this film you can get.A mention must be made of Trevor Jone's score which really is quite beautiful. It adds a lot of character whilst sounding unique and linking up to the visuals well - the opening motif of the film being a case in point; very otherworldly and a bit haunting - a great score overall.Extras listed are a bit different to the old region 1 DVD I have of this film but the old 'making of' feature is still present and this gives possibly the best overall view into how the film was made. It's shame to have lost the isolated musical track but then again, you do get a truhd 5.1 soundtrack so...I had noticed talk the interweb over the last few year of a possible sequel (something about a 'girl of fire' from within the planet's core posing a threat to all mankind) which seemed to have got quite far down the development path only to read earlier this year that the project had effectively been cancelled which is a real shame.Anyway, for any fan of the film this bluray is a worthy purchase.

Amazing movie that I watched religiously when I was a child. kids these days will probably find it very scared of the skeksis and their soldier beetles. This movie is a huge influence on the art that I draw to this very day....30 years later. the mystics are covered in swirly Celtic like patterns that I use as a general filler in. I only noticed that when I went back to watch it and was astounded when I discovered this.The story is way outside the box and is nothing like you will be used to these days. This is old school story telling at its best and the entire movie is done using puppets. It is strange to see how much I have actually bonded with this movie as an adult just by watching it when I was a kid. The two main characters are extremely likable and you want them to make it. the Skeksis are nasty, disgusting dark scrawny vulture type creatures that desire nothing but power.This movie is one that you will never forget.