The Dark Crystal (1982) Retrospective / Review

The Dark Crystal (1982) Retrospective / Review

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[Kaughper]

"Wings?! I don't have wings!!"
"Of course not! You're a boy!"
Favorite moment

[guitargearreviewsanddemos]

One of the most underrated movies of all time. This level of originality, complexity and artistic detail has never been achieved since in a fantasy film. Live action puppets have a certain magic that CGI will never have. Seeing this movie as a child inspired and excited me, as I got sucked into its world. I think the scary and creepy elements give the story more weight and realism.

[candy-vintageghoul]

Hear that?! It's unhealthy for children to never be afraid!

[alliesfrench]

Who's back here because Netflix just dropped The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance trailer for their prequel series?

[squamish]

One of the standout things about this movie is that the villains aren't defeated but unified with the heroes to form a whole.  It's a very Buddhist/Taoist view of existence.

[connorbrennan]

I'm 19 years old and here I am watching this film with puppets that's intended for younger audiences, feeling unsettled and drawn at the same time. A modern day fantasy film cannot have the same effect on me as this does. It just can't. I think it competes with Conan the Barbarian and Clash of the Titans for best fantasy film of the 80s in my book.

[OPAL-]

The score is one of the most haunting pieces of music ever reminds me of Once upon a time in America score.

[MidnightSonnet]

The main theme will always give me butterflies and shivers, I love it so much. I grew up with this masterpiece. Came out the year I was born. It's so full of wonder and eye candy. Scary as all hell, but I did like it that way, even as a kid. Back then, kids movies didn't treat us like idiots who needed to be sheltered from the realities of life. Life was also dark and gritty. It was thanks to Secret of Nimh that I first started to grasp the realities of how many people treat animals. Using them in horrendous experiments and forcing them to live life in fear and behind bars. It was an eye opener for a little brain. ^^ I appreciate what those old movies did for me and everyone else who watched them. Made me grow up a little faster, whether that was good or bad in the long run. :P

[SuperWolsey]

Oliver: "...but a prequel instead"
Lisa Henson: "Challenge accepted!"

[deadpoinsettia]

I saw this in the theater when it came out...loved it! Still do. :) Jen looks like Steven Tyler.

[Citadel]

Yes! This movie scared me and I LOVED it, watching it over and over again. It's an epic kids' movie that takes kids seriously. Henson understood kids, he really did. If today's Disney made this, there would be some goddamn quirky sidekick character, the tone would be light, and the moral would be their done-to-death, "Reach for your dreams!"

[RowanBlue]

I love this movie SO much.  So, so much.

[BrendanPramjee]

These reviews are fantastic! This channel is fast becoming one of my favorites. Good job man! Love the detail and effort that's gone into reviewing these.

[icedragonbreath]

I loved this movie as a kid. It was on VHS when I saw it over and over and it gave me nightmares every time I saw it. That never stopped me from watching it repeatedly.

[therealKINDLE]

This is a very special treasure. It's doesn't dictate how you are meant to feel as such, like films set in the corporeal world, but it lets you choose your emotions freely. It has an extraordinary depth of contrast, with dark & often sinister scenes probably not aimed at children as such, & yet it has a pure naive romantic trait running through it. The whole idea of "Love heals mortal wounds" appealed to my young lonely heart, & it gives you the real sense that it was made for you.

It's also one of very few films that takes full advantage of music, & how it is part of that world of fantasy & magic. I can remember repeating the scene of the couple drifting down stream in a boat whilst performing a quaint little duet number. There is no dialog or purpose to this scene as such, & yet it completely transfixes the audience in the same way the rest of the film draws you in.

I believe the Labyrinth took reign of this style because it didn't take itself as seriously, resulting in much disarming humour, & copped out by using the "age-old" Man loves Woman routine. The Dark Crystal puts the story first, & relents only when the story requires a selfless act to be rewarded.
Overall, this film is spectacular on so many levels, & you get the sense you are witnessing a great vision. The idea of dilapidated decrepit creatures desperate to claw back their final moments of life is a sadistic one, & feels as unnatural as the young gelflings giving their lives out of kindness feels natural.

It's not a family film by any means. I think it's a fantasy for more adult audiences. Either way, it deserves recognition for it's utter uniqueness. And I think many people are still in love with it.

[gregorywhittaker]

I thought that some of the themes in this movie are incredibly complex and adult.  The whole idea of genocide, the loneliness of being a last survivor, the enslavement of other races, the theft of free-will and life essence, not to mention Kira's selflessness at the end of the movie elevate this movie beyond a simple children's film.  The ending clearly has some bittersweet elements like Gen losing all he has known of as family though he has a new love.  Also, there is the hopelessness for the Gelfling race as two individuals cannot recreate an entire race, you know that in some way Gen and Kira are the end, or at best the parents to the end, of the Gelflings.  This is a great and epic movie, well worth watching again and again.

[OliverHarper]

Thank you very much for your comments. :) Many people say i deserve more views which is incredibly nice of them to say. Spread the word my friend.

[Clownboy]

Back in 2003 I met actor, Barry Dennen, after a production of Jesus Christ, Superstar played here in Norfolk, VA. He famously played Pilate in the film version and was touring with Carl Anderson who played Judas in the movie. We missed Dennen the night we saw the show and went back the next night. He was thrilled we came back just to see him and that we knew his work besides Superstar. Among them was his voice acting which includes the Chamberlain.

[thatscousedude]

A masterpiece. Absolutely beautiful to look at - my favourite shot is Kira sitting in the ruin of the throne. The Garthim still freak me out as an adult.

[FireTiger]

One of the first movies I ever saw, when I was 4 years old, along with Never Ending Story and Land Before Time. Such amazing memories!