Set in 'another world, another place', The Dark Crystal is a masterful display of puppetry from arguably its best creator, Jim Henson, alongside the legendary Frank Oz. Released in 1982, it was groundbreaking at the time, and despite the world moving onto things such as CGI, and the release of Avatar setting even higher standards. However, there is something that is still incredibly magical about the while thing. In terms of plot, The Dark Crystal is set in another world that has 3 suns and is inhabited by all manner of strange creatures which have appeared from the minds of the creators. The dominant species, the urSkeks, cracked the Crystal of Truth and ...  Read the complete review

I think the world of film has recently descended into a place that is dominated by CGI and mass produced movie 'masterpieces' that have no more soul than a cheese sandwich. We are going to take a trip back in time, long ago to the year 1982, when a film like no other was first witnessed. Like Labyrinth, the Dark Crystal has been with me all my life and I cannot remember the first time I saw it, but it is always a wonderful experience. In another world, and another time, in a land ruled by the cruel and twisted Skeksis, Jen, supposedly last of the Gelflings, sets out to heal the Dark Crystal and set the world to rights before the world becomes ...  Read the complete review

With The Lord of the Rings now fleshed out on film, it's worth reminding ourselves of previous fantastical masterpieces such as this one, achieved at great pains by Jim Henson before the onset of computer trickery. There hasn't been a film as uniquely impressionable or as memorable; as worthwhile as this legacy from Henson - with his remarkable creature puppets - since its spell was first unleashed in 1982. This - beyond Sesame Street and the muppet films - is his mature vision. A genuinely successful fantasy film - it is original, atmospheric, enriching, magical, other-worldly. It will live on, capturing the wonder of people to come as an example of everything that's ...  Read the complete review

This groundbreaking movie is one of my fondest childhood memories. Hunched up on the couch on a Saturday evening waiting for it to start. This, The Labyrinth and Never Ending Story were the only films I really enjoyed (I wasn’t allowed to watch many films back then though you understand)! Hang on your saying - The Dark Crystal wasn’t ground breaking. Oh YES IT IS. This was the first ever all-puppet film. That’s right, there is not one person in this film, at all, ever!!! The film is the creative genius of Jim Henson, Frank Oz and Brian Froud (who did all the original drawings for the characters before they were made into puppets). Don’t ...  Read the complete review

I was raised on the innovative form of animation given to us by the marvelous Jim Henson. From Kermit the Frog to the goblins in the Labyrinth, this creative genius managed to invent creatures and worlds of such depth, wonder, and jocularity that they will be delighting audiences of all ages for years to come! Sadly, Henson is no longer with us although the Jim Henson Company continues to delight and amaze, and while the creator himself will be sorely missed, his creations remain to comfort us. Dark Crystal is a brilliant and daring piece of Henson’s work that is often overlooked. Development for this film began in 1977 although shooting did not start ...  Read the complete review