Review: The Dark Crystal Is The Best Work Jim Henson's Ever Done
- May 21, 2017
- 2 min read
Directed by the voice of Yoda and the man behind the Muppets, The Dark Crystal is a bizarre fantasy, a film of its time and, while not perfect, a film that holds up surprisingly well today
Jen (Jim Henson), a Gelfling, a small, elf-like, creature has thrust upon him the burden of prophecy. The dark crystal, an ancient relic and the source of life, is missing a shard. In the coming days the three suns of this world will align. During this period, if the shard is returned to the crystal the world will be saved, if not, the evil Skeksis will rule the world forever.
You can probably tell that The Dark Crystal isn't exactly a story driven film and, aside from a single late revelation, it's pretty standard stuff. The heroes journey is hardly a new content and in this form it's been done more time than I care to count. But if you plan on watching The Dark Crystal for its plot, you're going about it all wrong.
The world, the creatures and the craftsmanship are what make The Dark Crystal worth checking out. With the exception of the Gelflings themselves, who resemble humanoid rat hobbits more than anything else, the puppets and animatronics are some of the best. It seems that the plot was sacrificed to instead show off a menagerie of beasts ranging from the vulture like Skeksis and the hairy Fizzgig to the majestic landstriders and bizarre crystal bats. There are a host of other creatures, sentient plants and incredible sets that distance The Dark Crystal from other such productions.
It's hands down my favourite Henson creation and, if I'm being honest, the only one I really like. Muppets are well and good and the puppets are just as good in Labyrinth but I'd much rather be disgusted by foul Skeksis and wowed by alien worlds than listen to frogs talk to pigs while I avoid making eye contact with David Bowie's strangely pronounced crotch.
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