There is always something wonderful about revisiting movies from one's youth, and finding out that they are as good as you remember. This feeling is even more thrilling when it is clear that others like the films as well and that a certain amount of care and effort has gone into re-releasing them. Happily, this is the case for two new DVD editions being put out August 14 from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and Jim Henson Home Entertainment.
Though they have both been released before to DVD, the new editions of The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth are truly spectacular (and both remastered in high definition). The former is labeled as the "25th Anniversary Edition" which seems correct as the movie was released in 1982, while the later is simply an "Anniversary Edition," which is moderately odd as the film was released in 1986, making this the 21st anniversary (maybe it is an anniversary edition because it is old enough to drink?).
Whatever oddities might exist in the name of this release of Labyrinth, it is the better of the two movies. Starring a young Jennifer Connelly and David Bowie, the film chronicles the quest of a girl, Sarah (Connelly), to retrieve her infant step-brother from the Goblin King Jareth(Bowie), who has kidnapped the child. Jareth only did this because Sarah, rather impetuously, asked him to, only to regret the decision moments later. Being a sporting sort of Goblin King, Jareth agrees that Sarah can have the child back if she is able to successfully negotiate his labyrinth within 13 hours.
Directed by Henson himself and executive produced by George Lucas, the film is full of wonderful creatures and has great wit and imagination. Sarah encounters numerous friends and enemies on her journey through the labyrinth to Jareth's castle, and each type of creature has a distinct look, feel, and personality. The majority are, as this is a Henson film, muppets, puppets, and various people in costumes, and voiced by the likes of Steve Whitmire (who would later become the voice of Kermit), David Goelz (The Great Gonzo), Kevin Clash (Elmo), Brian Henson, and Frank Oz. In short, it is the standard (and wonderful) assemblage of talent from Henson's stables, and a great deal of fun to watch 21 years later.
Article comments
1 - SN
Labyrinth better than The Dark Crystal ?... ^^
Sorry but your remark makes me smile as I think Labyrinth is far to have the personality, originality, visual poetry, artistic achievement The Dark Crystal has. Sorry but they don't compete in the same category ! Labyrinth is a typical Lucas' nice and funny little movie for kids and families with the great designs of Froud; but The Dark Crystal is more than that: it is a masterpiece of Arts and craftmen, with a dark atmosphere, an amazing sense of Poetry and visuals... Labyrinth is cute, while The Dark Crystal is just a cult film that will never get old despite its lack of "cold" CGI effects.