The Dark Crystal movie should contain a lot more information. It would be a true masterpiece if it didn’t require you to read all of the novels to understand any of it....
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.
Henson was a genius, easily equal to Disney, IMHO. What needs to be remembered is that he, Oz, and their co-creators were creating an *entire world* from nothing! They weren't adapting a story that someone else had created, like Peter Jackson, these guys created *everything* you see on screen; not only conceptually, but also as real life, physical, functional creations! It astounds me that a movie like this could ever be created at all. But they did it.
I think it’s an experimental film, since the film had no live actors and all the creatures and characters are all puppets. That’s why I liked the film when I saw it when I was 14 years old.
Oliver yeh you knkwcanyone stoners lr acid trippers who are into this mkvie becuse this move does have repuato for being weird yeh you dont see much fntasy films with this level of imgsnatioonnany more the fntasy filmsxseem kind of dead don't you think
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.
Simon Gervais Honestly, I don't think that a remake would be the right course to go with this movie. When CGI improves some more, I would probably be beneficial to go back to this movie and readjust some of the movements in it, especially the podlings and the gelflings. Another story from The Dark Crystal universe would be possible. It would be a lot of work to make a 3D animation. I don't know about for you, but for me, when I watch a 3D movie, even in the cinema, I can see 3 separate flat planes. The shadowing is not sufficient to create dimension within each plane and the cut planes makes the overall image even more flat. I thought LOTR did a great job with scanning 3D models and animating them within the scenes, so that would probably be a good way to go. However, if you have seen the recent The Thing, a prequel to John Carpenter's The Thing, you can see how disappointing it is to use CGI to animate prosthetics. The prosthetic special makeup was quite beautiful on their own, but the CGI made them look really fake. The lighting was off, and details of surface textures were lost due to the animation. Just my thought on the matter.
Thanks for this extensive comment! I tend to agree that there is a special feel in puppets and animatronix that you simply cannot yet find in any CG creature. The physicality of it, the way it is lit is simply not as real. But still, on the other hand, with CG animation, you can attain greater levels of expressivity within a character's face, while with puppets, the expressions are quite limited. You said another story in the dark crystal universe would be possible, yes but, what kind?
gregorygaugau it's too bad that cgi has to come into play for everything now. If they could pull this off in the early 80's they could do it same now aswell the technology for controlling puppets like that is also gone up a couple decades I assume
Gregory Whittaker as a child had no issues understanding these themes and they are not just for adults... frankly you need to learn these as a child....
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.
The villains and the heroes are two sides of the coin. Each need the other to exist. They need to be unified the realize their true selves. I disagree with the narrator of this video. This movie is way more than a children's film.
I wouldn't say it's strictly Buddhist and Taoist. Most religions and ideologies dive into the balance between one's inner light/truth and dark/ideals, and the power of choice with each individual. However it's called doesn't matter, good/evil, light/dark, truth/ideals, heaven/hell, life/death, we all really mean the same thing.
That is the stupidest comment I’ve ever heard.. it’s just shows how little people know about world religion and the differences ..Judaism religion is nothing like Christian faith .. In fact no religion is like the true Christian faith does not depend on one’s behaviors it’s on one’s beliefs strictly.. We just believe Jesus is the son of God he died for everyone sins and ALL sin To those who believe .. stop convoluting you’re stupid religious views and vain philosophy with what we believe is truth.. they are nothing alike .. just shows you how dumb down the world is that they would think that men like Billy Graham Joel Osteen and the Catholic Church represent our faith.. and then to compare true faith with the ideals and the religious intolerance:laws of Judaism Shows me you have no idea what Christians believe..
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
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.
Funny that you mentioned Conan. Because after the first time I finished watching the Dark Crystal, I started watching Conan just a few minutes later. (They are also the only two movies I have made a review of. One of them which I posted yesterday😂)
But the major problem is not the effects, either CGI or practical. The major problem is that current-day movies have hollow plots and cliche characters that have just been copies of each other for the past 20 years. Also, the PC culture robbed the stories of any grounding in what makes us interested for them. A movie like Dark Crystal speaks to the core of what makes us human, while a movie like the remake of Conan the Barbarian is empty of any human interest.
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!"
Okay, who’s here in 2019 after the Netflix series for this August has been announced? It does look amazing! I’m glad they decided to do prequel idea instead of sequel. More to build with. I think reason the original didn’t do as well as hoped (I was a kid at the time and LOVED it, already being a huge Henson fan) because it consisted mainly of exposition. We’ll see what they come up with at the end of this year. Fingers crossed 🤞!
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.
The dark crystal was one of the best works of art and philosophy I was introduced to as a kid. The new series is probably the best overall work of multimedia art I’ve seen in my life.
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.
you have brilliant & unique way of reviewing movies & others on you tube find it hard to copy your style when they review. Oliver Harper is king of you tube movie reviewers just like Sandman is the king of mgtow you tube channels.
Total agreement with your review here. An exceptionally well made kids movie. I first saw it on VHS and I absolutely loved it. I was 6. Was only frightened in the good way you mentioned. What unsettled me though was the scene were the Skeksis rejuvenate themselves with the Kira's life-essence. I figured that is how all the other Gelflings died, and that really gave me the creeps as a kid.
Back in 2013 at the 8:15 in the video: "I don't believe they could have done a sequel but maybe a prequel." 6 years, 1 month, 18 days later. The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance is released on Netflix.
Minor nitpick here. 2:11 Frank Oz does so much more than just "provide the voice" of Yoda. He is the character's principle performer, simultaneously puppeteering and voicing character, effectively bringing it to life through his performance. It's more than just voice work and the true talent it takes to do all that at once really should be recognized.
Jim Henson's observation about how it's unhealthy for children to not be scared reminds me of today's issues regarding "safe spaces" and not "offending" anyone
There was times when such movies, as Legend, Dark Crystal, Labyrinth or Krull was made. Not all in the was good, but they still glow with subtle magic. And i think it way better for childs to watch this or, for example, hellish abominations like Transformers.
This movie is one of my mom's favourites. When I was a kid she would watch it a lot on her casette tape, but I was so scared of everything in that movie that I have refused to watch it ever since. It still gives me nightmares to this day, even though I recognize that this movie is timeless and very creative. Props to Jim Henson, R.I.P.
I grew up watching the Dark Crystal as a kid but I think the dark crystal age of resistance is going to be a new eye-opener for me A whole new story to tell and I bet it’s going to begin 1000 years ago as the narrator said in the first movie in the series my end from the beginning of where the first movie starts but that’s just my theory.
I love this movie even though I’m in my early 20s, I was focused on the story because I saw it; There’s a male gelfling named Jen who has to retrieve the shard from a creature named Augra who’s seems to be off her rocker but is still wise, Jen then has to take the shard to the Skeksis’ castle and heal the Dark Chrystal, but he runs into a female of his same species as him named Kira who has a pet named Fizzgig. Jen and Kira go back to her home (which was a fun scene, I was stomping my feet to the beat because of how upbeat it was, kinda like a festivities music) to party with the poddilings but get party crashed by the crab soldiers and the poddilings are then taken away from their home. Jen and Kira go back to their birth place and find the answer to why Jen has to take the shard to the Skeksis’ castle. It’s a good example of the hero’s journey; The hero gets called onto a quest in order to save the world from doom, it’s also mixed with a boy meets girl where the hero meets his love interest who then helps him on his journey. The hero begins to have doubts and then comes to the realization that he has to save the world, but it’s not specifically told it was to be him that does the deed. The story is there, but it’s simple to where older audiences won’t notice it, but I noticed the story and it kept me engaged within the world it was in. I sat my butt down and ate some dried cranberries while watching the movie, it’s a good movie and it’s a shame that it wasn’t popular. I’d give this movie a 10/10 for its simplicity and visuals, it even creeped me out a bit, but, it still held my attention. Maybe I liked it because I have autism, but I love a good movie.
Many artists never see their true impact their art has on culture. This piece of Art was too ahead of its time to be trully appreciated! A timless work! I was lucky to grow up as a child and see this fantasy unfold. It was an experience. Thank you Jim Henson!
I was an adult when I first time watched dark Cristal with my then 4 year old son and I just loved it so much.Every few years I rewatch it and still enjoy it a lot. In last few day I watched the whole season of Dark Cristal :Age of Resistance, yes its a bit cheesy but I actually enjoy it too and am looking forward to season2
Yes! I've seen only the netflix version. So i can't make a comparison, except that netflix took grate care in 'reviving' all these characters and their looks. Man I was hooked on it! Pure art too! Still waiting on the new season!
I met Mike Edmonds at Wales Comic Con on April 26th 2015. He's a dwarf actor, who was an additional performer for the character of Aughra! His name can be seen at the ending credits.
Frank Oz did not just voice Yoda, he also brought him to life with his puppeteer skills! And..... one unused prophilactic..... one soiled..... And who would dare to doubt Jim Hensons (R.I.P.) genius?
@@KentKaliber Funny, whenever I see a "practical" effect on screen, all I see is silicon and wires. Just because it's "really in the shot" doesn't mean it automatically looks like anything more than a robotic prop.
Oliver, will you ever review WATERSHIP DOWN? It was released on local television in NYC as a 3 part miniseries. It was the first non-Disney, dark animation (about bunny rabbits! well, actually, hares) i had ever seen. Definitely made an impression on me.
***** - I would argue that a better result might be a combination of both puppetry & CGi where a puppeteer has full control of the main movements but a CG animator can make things like expressions look more natural.
***** It would depend on the character. Think about the monsters in Where the Wild Things Are. Not exactly like that, but sort of in the sense that they were people in costumes & puppets aided by CG when it came to facial expressions & emotions.
true, but with todays children and to some extent, adults, they will either be too overprotacted/overprotective and not want their children scared, or will dislike anything that makes it not add up to any "modern" show or movie
Special effects still have a place in movies. It's just nobody is really using them. Pan's Labyrinth is a good example of something post Lord of The Rings that used awesome make up and special effects. It did use cgi, but only to enhance what was already tangible, not dominate it. I'll take the Faun over Golem like characters any day.
There's no grudge. I like full CGI films like what Pixar offers, but when you have entire characters made of CGI interacting with actors, there's a disconnect and the viewer feels it. And the funny part is it's more expensive. It's usually the biggest part of the budget of all these live action films. The biggest win for CGI is that it makes things that were once impossible (Spiderman swinging on his web at high speeds just below the city skyline) possible. There's a place for that, I admit, but mixing the two methods for characters like Faun from Pan's Labyrinth works better because he's not impossible for an actor to portray. Nowadays, a lot of films just use CGI as a crutch when they can be more creative and spend less money.
So the prequel "Age of Resistance" is finally here! Thoughts? I was 50/50 after the first episode, but now having seen the full first season, I'm completely won over.
I love your videos Oliver. As others have said, the detail and backstory that accompanies each show how much effort you put into each of these. I grew up on these movies and it's awesome to see them looked at again through a more modern lens.
It is my opinion that this film is the pre-cursor and main inspiration for all Final Fantasy games. It has all the elements; a young unlikely hero is sent on an insurmountingly difficult journey to save a world from destruction or evil, and meets his female counterpart who changes and affects him as well as aids him in his quest. There's also the wise old mystic, malevolent villains, and the people that help the hero fight for their world. The biggest correlation to me that was the most incredible . . . the world itself. Like Final Fantasy X, the journey causes you to fall in love with the richness of the world or kingdom, and it's beautiful people. This film is one of a kind for all this. It's got the classic tropes, but is made like no other. Just beautiful.
Up until now I had never even seen this film. I had heard of it lately in the last few years and I'm glad I finally got the chance to see it and now I can see this retrospective. Usually I watch the retrospectives for films I hadn't seen to get a sense of what I am I for but this was too good to not view first. It was beyond amazing. Great job, Oliver.....you've made a believer out of me with this.
Jim Henson was a real person which is rare in Hollywood he bought that company and funded the movies release himself.... which probably pissed off ALOT of people higher up but who knows what he ultimately did that caused them to cause his demise because all of a sudden he was sick then dead... and it was sad. I wish people could more successfully fight off their selfish desires.... it is a real problem in humanity and I do not see us getting much past the state we are in now if we do not all do a little growing up and learn to squash that ego when it is time to.....
8:55 true story: for almost 30 years this is the only scene I could remember from this movie. I searched the internet for years and years and I couldn't find it until the point that I began having doubts about my own memory. 'Till this day February 14 2018 two hours ago I met a woman in the swimming pole and we had a conversation about a memories and also talked about The Hobbit and Game of Thrones. I explained to her this scene and she replied: maybe it's The Dark Crystal?! ...And now I'm watching this absolutely great video about the movie and I'm feeling very happy! Many, many thx for this upload!
Thanks for the lovely reviews Oliver! I particularly like how indepth you go on the production design and artwork/artist amongst other things (in all your reviews btw!), and if there are other relavent media like the games that you pull up and production of the soundtrack. Really nice work man!
after strolling along your channel i came to the conclusion that's one of the best movie review chanel i came across. subscribed and fully watched. all of your videos in a time spam of 2 or 3 weeks. and it has been a great experience. congrats from this fan from portugal. cheers.
Heya friend, been watching you a couple years now. You gonna do a review of the new series? I just finished a sculpt demo on my channel of one of the characters, Deet. I'm so pleased they went back to use the original practical effects and puppetry. The new materials we have access to, namely platinum silicone, has really improved the quality and realness of practical effects since the original Dark Crystal. So, keep up the good work, sir! I'm up in Belfast, btw, if you're ever nearby, would totally grab a pint with you. Best - N
Wonderfully put-together video. I saw this movie once or twice as a kid but really didn’t remember it until I caught a 1-day theater showing of it last week. I couldn’t agree more with what you said. I do think it captivated me a little more as a kid, but as an adult I better appreciate all that went into making it what it was. Great video! I’m looking forward to checking out all your others. (:
i seen it as a kid in the theater and was fascinated buy it. Later i see it in a bin a wal mart and had to buy it, telling my kids how amazing it was they did not appreciate it though! lol
Your channel is by far the best I've come across. Love the podcast's too. You pick up on all the stuff about films that I always think about. Keep 'em coming :)
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.
Loved this movie as a child (saw it in the theater). Not sure my own children can watch it yet (they are a bit younger than I was) but can't wait to share it. Never appreciated, until this review, how impactful/important the score is to the experience -- thank you for pointing that out & your whole retrospective.
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.
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.
I adored this movie as a child and still adore it now. It's one of those movies I can watch over and over again and never get fed up with it. I need to watch it again some time.
When I first saw the trailer for "The Dark Crystal", I didn't want to see it. But as time progressed, I became interested in the movie so much, I actually put my big boy pants on and got it for Christmas. I LOVE THIS MOVIE! This is my favorite Jim Henson movie of all time. I love the music, puppetry, conceptual design, and the special effects. The end really got me, as it was sad and uplifting.
This movie is one of the best movies ever made IMO. It was so ambitious for its time but I also believe it came out at the best time. The peak of these types of movies. I'm getting the chills.
Oh how I would love to relive the 80s movie era again with everything fresh and new. Creativity nowadays is very mediocre, which is why my wife and I lean towards foreign movies/television lately. Dark Crystal was way ahead of its time.
I remember watching this film when I was 12 on the movie channel. It was in the summertime at 4:00 in the morning I watched the movie as the sun came up, I was aww inspired. I loved it.
What a wonderful review! You've quickly become one of my favorite TY channels. I did actually only see this film first as an adult and while I enjoyed it it did not make all that strong of an emotional impression on me aside from the truly astonishing visuals. I'd certainly recommend it although with modest expectations. The death and funeral of the creature early on in the film truly are a haunting and macabre set of scenes.
"Gelfling". I just wanna say that one more time: "Gelfling" I saw this in the theater in 1982 with my mom...for some reason our dog and cat were with us...we had to leave the dog and the cat locked in the pick up truck for the two hours (but it was night and the windows were cracked). They got along great and didn't seem to mind the long wait.
I never really grew up with Dark Crystal as a child and only saw it on Film4 a couple years back, but it has quickly become one of my favorite fantasy movies and my favorite Jim Henson production. I love the world, the puppetry, the score and the creativity. Granted from a critical perspective the story is pretty simple and the characters are somewhat lacking when compared to other features. Never the less the amount of passion, love and creativity from Henson and his crew I feel more then make up for it.
An amazing review for an amazing movie! Thanks for making this video,Oliver Harper! You made an incredible job! The Dark Crystal was a one of a kind project...and for me it still holds it's title. Even being a Tolkien Fan and having enjoyed Jackson's films (despite any rant I could have made about changes in the plot and character development) I still consider the Dark Crystal to be my "first" fantasy movie. It opened my eyes to the worlds of Tolkien, C.S.Lewis, Lewis Carrol and later to Poe, Lovecraft, and many others...I ponder I did not feel afraid of the creatures in it because I was an avid reader since always, and was already into the Grimm fairytales. They had made me quite used to dark elements in the stories. In a sense, yes, it is right to let the children understand fear BEFORE they have to actually face it in their lives. Not by forcibly exposing them to anything...but letting them watch as much as they can handle in terms of (reasonable) fantasy dark elements. This movie was born the same year I was...and I can recall having watched it first on my house...on vhs format. It was a strange experience, since I, with about 7 or 8 years old, felt intrigued, fascinated and almost mesmerized by the creatures, backgrounds and details of the movie...while my parents, since the first shot of the Skeksis, were constantly asking me if "anything disturbed me about it"... The movie went on...Nothing "wrong" so far... *ALERT...SPOILER AHEAD* Then the scene of the Skeksis' Chamberlain's banishment came. I vividly recall my mother whispering to my father: "Oh my, these creatures are far too disgusting for a kid"... And my father being about to stop the movie. I was the one who asked him not to do it. Why?...I was WORRIED about the Chamberlain's fate. As an eight year old, I was able to jump over the ugliness of the skeksis, the brutality of the previous scene, and the fact that they were the antagonists of the movie...because, to my eyes, "I needed to know if he would be okay"... My mother's jaw drop as far as I remember. She even demanded me "If I was joking". I just said no. My reasoning was "The Chamberlain is maybe mean, but he's naked and scared, and will be out there all by himself now. I feel bad for him and I want to know what will happen to him." You have two lectures for that... Either I was just a weird kid who felt fascinated by a very realistic puppet, OR kids have the ability to focus in what gets their interest and are not that easily traumatized as some think. Many years have passed. I loved and still love every aspect of this movie, including the protagonists (as "perfect and all sugar" as they are) and do not feel bothered by the particular kind-of-facial rigidity which affected a bit the Gelfling puppets, and the Podlings. Since they are not meant to look like humans...¿Why would they have to move like them?... The mystics were beautifully rendered, and performed. The skeksis were always my particular favorites (Which I recognize to be strange, since they gave my schoolmates nightmares, while they had me making doodles of them) because of their lifelike appearance, and the richness of the details on their robes and ornaments (Later in life, that love for details would inspire me to become and artisan, sculptor and drawing artist.) I owe this movie and Jim Henson a lot. I hope many people can discover it and find it as fascinating as I do.Even in these days where things MUST BE frantically paced and in delirious 3D to gain attention... I do not think either 3D or CGI are "bad" in any sense...I just wish more people would stop making a war between the two disciplines and simply love both of them for what they are, when well applied: two different ways into art!
I was 14 years old when this film was new. Even at that young age, I thought about the time and money that went into the making of this film - making the puppets, the costumes, the scenery, and hiring the actors. It was a big disappointment when the film didn't do well, because I thought it was a great film. It's so unique! Obviously, I"m not the only one who feels this way. Here we are thirty-six years later, and people are talking about this film again, and loving it. I"m glad to see it make a comeback. It"s like all of a sudden, it's cool and hip to be a Dark Crystal fan!
