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Amazon.co.uk Review
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 JRR. 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 recognise many of the voice actors--a few characters sound awfully close to familiar comic creations--but otherwise The Dark Crystal is a completely alien world made familiar by a mythic quest that resonates through stories over the ages. --Sean Axmaker
Amazon.co.uk Review
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. Muppets fans will recognise 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. --Sean Axmaker
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray
This was a highly original concept from the team behind the Muppets. I first saw it with my young sons back in 1982 and 27 years on it still possesses that magical quality to entertain people of all ages. Blu-ray certainly has enhanced the picture quality as opposed to the previous DVD version though I could not detect any difference in the sound. A treat for all to enjoy.
19 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This is a classic, a captivating and charming movie that remains in a class of its own. There's a spectacular array of creatures and a memorable plot with marvellous twists.
The fact is that all the species and characters come across as very real and believable - from the kindly and wise Mystics to the human Podlings to the awful and hideous Skeksis. The meal scene in the Skeksis castle is particularly vivid and memorable, although it's not for the squeamish! The visit to the lair of the witch Ogra is also quite humorous and spectacular, and I loved the little doggie, if it is a dog.
One of my favourite scenes is where the two Gelflings fall over a cliff and the girl spreads her wings, upon which the relieved boy exclaims: "But I don't have wings" to which the girl replies: "Of course not - you're a boy.". This is in the class of Lord of the Rings about 20 years before the latter was made, although it's probably not fair to compare the two.
Dark Crystal convinces with its world of believable puppets and impressive scenery, which adds a unique flavour to the film. I cannot fault this little gem on any aspect: the old myth is infused by new life here because of the amazing turns in the plot. The scenes are so colourful you cannot forget them, the characterization is of the highest calibre, and the cinematography is breathtaking.
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This is a film I have owned for many years on VHS and I have always been captivated by it. So, when I saw it was available on DVD I HAD to buy it and I have not been dissapointed. The sheer brilliance of what Jim Henson and his team created considering it was made almost 20 years ago is amazing!! What is also wonderful about this DVD is that the original colours have been wonderfully restored and I now notice things in the film that I never noticed on my VHS edition because they are so much easier to see. Some of the extras are brilliant as well, especially the documentary which is a fascinating insight into the making of this classic film! I have to say, I was a little dissapointed with the deleted scenes feature as I expected to have more commentary about why the scenes were deleted and also many of the scenes are just original takes on scenes that did make it into the film and were just altered slightly (sometimes u can't notice the difference other than the film quality).
However, if you have never seen this film, or if you are already a passionate Dark Crystal fan, I urge you to buy this DVD, it really is money well spent!!!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
AMAZING!
i LOVE this film. i watched it when i was a child and it became my favourite film, i couldnt beleive the value of it and when i watched it again, it blew my mind all over again. Read more
Published 1 month ago by rhys
A visual feast
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. Read more
Published 2 months ago by brainleek007
one of the best films made
this film is amazing its that simple ive loved this film since i was young and still love it now its a classic
Published 3 months ago by aaronh
A must see Henson film!
I always loved Labyrinth and the Muppets and in the 90's really enjoyed Farscape(and Fraggle Rock when I was young,of course), but for some reason I'd never got round to watching... Read more
Published 5 months ago by j.r
Excellent Blu-ray packed with features
Putting the classic film itself aside, this is an excellent Blu-ray.
The picture quality of the feature is very good- I wouldn't say it was excellent but that might be... Read more
The picture quality of the feature is very good- I wouldn't say it was excellent but that might be... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Mr. Stuart Bruce
Original fantasy you won't see the likes of again.
I first watched The Dark Crystal as a child in the cinema. I enjoyed it then. With a lot of childhood films, the experience of watching them then, is something very different to... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Robert D. I. Phillips
Looks amazing, content lower than average but I am an adult...
I didn't buy it for the story, I'm a fantasy art fan. The story is definitely not complex enough for adults so I had to watch it in two separate goes. Read more
Published 10 months ago by J. Surplice
good fun
this kids dvd is about the power of the dark crystal. the crystal is shattered and has to be saved its dividing good v evil and needs to be healed. Read more
Published 12 months ago by scorpio
lovely film and transfer, but no spanish :-(
The dark Crystal
Video: 1080p high definition widescreen 2.35:1
Audio: english, french, german true hd 5. Read more
Video: 1080p high definition widescreen 2.35:1
Audio: english, french, german true hd 5. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Luis Temes Rodriguez
Great film, especially if you like Jim Henson's work
I first saw and bought this film (on Betamax) when my son was a tot (he's 25 now) and we used to regularly watch it. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Badger
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