X
- 1982
- PG
- Universal Pictures
- 1 h 33 m
- 1982
- PG
- Universal Pictures
- 1 h 33 m
Summary On another planet in the distant past, a Gelfling embarks on a quest to find the missing shard of a magical crystal, and so restore order to his world.
Directed By: Jim Henson, Frank Oz
Written By: David Odell, Jim Henson
- 1982
- PG
- Universal Pictures
- 1 h 33 m
- 1982
- PG
- Universal Pictures
- 1 h 33 m
The Dark Crystal
66
7.4
Where to Watch
Summary On another planet in the distant past, a Gelfling embarks on a quest to find the missing shard of a magical crystal, and so restore order to his world.
Directed By: Jim Henson, Frank Oz
Written By: David Odell, Jim Henson
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 13 Critic Reviews
66
69% Positive
9 Reviews
9 Reviews
31% Mixed
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 13 Critic Reviews
66
69% Positive
9 Reviews
9 Reviews
31% Mixed
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
The Dark Crystal leaves no doubt that Jim Henson and his colleagues have reached a point where they can create and sustain a powerfully enchanting form of cinematic fantasy. [21 Dec 1982, p.C1]
The story is a standard fairy-tale concoction, but the New Agey philosophy about healing and heroism makes for a classic Henson story, all heart and rapturous wonder at the world's incredible possibilities.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 53 User Ratings
7.4
70% Positive
37 Ratings
37 Ratings
23% Mixed
12 Ratings
12 Ratings
8% Negative
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 53 User Ratings
7.4
70% Positive
37 Ratings
37 Ratings
23% Mixed
12 Ratings
12 Ratings
8% Negative
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
Jim Henson had brought us the immortal Muppets and films like Labryrinth, but The Dark Crystal is a wonderful film, that was part of my childhood, as well as my brother's. A lot of effort clearly went into this, and it really does show, with the rich details of the characters. It tells the story of Jen, a Geffling who must return the Crystal shard to the dark Crystal, before the conjunction of the three suns, or the skeksies will rule forever. The film is recognised as fantastic by people, because of its clear symbolism and themes such as the personifications of good (the mysties) and the evil (the skeksies). The film is directed by the immensely talented duo Jim Henson and Frank Oz. The film looks dazzling,with fabulous visuals and very well staged sequences, and Jen and Kira are very engaging as title characters. The mysties are very mysterious, and the Skeksies are very, very scary. There is a well-above average script, and a sweeping music score that is phenomenal. The characters are well voiced by some Muppet regulars such as Oz himself, and they are tone-perfect. The story may be a little simplistic and some elements a little too frightening for youngsters, but visually and audibly, it is an absolute treat, and should be recognised as a truly wonderful film. 10/10 Bethany Cox.
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Visually stunning! If you enjoyed Avatar, Lord of the Rings and the original Star Wars you'll like this as well.
I don't normally write reviews, but this series was so nostalgic yet brand new that it deserves a comment.
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The Dark Crystal, besides being a dazzling technological and artistic achievement by a band of talented artists and performers, presents a dark side of Muppet creators Jim Henson and Frank Oz that could teach a lesson in morality to youngsters at the same time it is entertaining their parents.
Once again employing his famous muppets, Jim Henson creates a brilliantly detailed universe with this intriguing fairy-tale adventure.
Design and artistry here is the primary draw of The Dark Crystal, not necessarily the writing or the performances or the direction (Henson and Frank Oz shared the directing responsibilities for this one), although the are no glaring missteps in any of those areas.
The Dark Crystal sees through a dark crystal: There is much to marvel at, but there is much that is obscure, and much that may not be there at all. [17 Dec 1982]
The Dark Crystal aims, I think, to be a sort of Muppet Paradise Lost but winds up as watered down J.R.R. Tolkien.
A somewhat slow movie, chock full of vibrant world-building propped up with masterful art design and puppeteering. If you can get through the monologues, you'll find out why a single film from 1982 spawned an entire cinematic universe over 30 years later.
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It's an odd yet beautiful looking movie that features the kind of work you honestly wouldn't really expect to see in movies nowadays. The one big takeaway is that it's boring. So little happen and often times too far and in between that it makes for a very slow movie that can be a bit tough to stay interested in.
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There are parts in this not appropriate for kids even 12 years old. Such as the puppet in the cage mask being tortured having their eyes gouged out. I understand these are puppets and Jim Hensen would be proud to know this team did an excellent job making you believe they were made you to believe they were people. Not having known the story before hand I was thinking this was appropriate PG. this is not rated properly. Disappointed.
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Happy I didn't see this movie when it originally opened, might have been on Crack today.
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Production Company
Incorporated Television Company (ITC),
Jim Henson Productions,
Henson Organisation,
The Jim Henson Company
Release Date Dec 17, 1982
Duration 1 h 33 m
Rating PG
Tagline When evil screams throughout the world, when all three suns converge, when all that's fair and fine seems lost... a hero will emerge!
Website
http://www.darkcrystal.com/
Awards
Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA
• 1 Win & 4 Nominations
Avoriaz Fantastic Film Festival
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
BAFTA Awards
• 1 Nomination
