When it comes to Jim Hensen, you can always expect something charming, imaginative or fun. In terms of imagination, Dark Crystal most definitely reigns supreme. The movie is visual masterpiece, creating an entire world so vast, it had it's own book published to expand on the lore and creatures. And, like anything that has Jim Hensen's name attached, the costumes and puppet work are out of this world. It's also noticeably darker compared to the likes of Hensen's other works, as some of the character designs and effects can be quite creepy.
Unfortunately, the film is much more fun to look at than it is to watch. The overall plot is fairly simple, as a single gelfing is given the monumental task of locating a missing shard of the legendary Dark Crystal before the alignment of the three suns. Why must this monumental task fall upon him? I wish I knew. The story is simple, but we aren't given enough time to give a lot of the characters depth or agency. It just sort of feels rushed.
Still, like I said, it's a visual marvel that has to be seen to be believed. I'm glad I saw it, just don't think I'd see it again.
Dark, Beautiful, Sort of Boring
When it comes to Jim Hensen, you can always expect something charming, imaginative or fun. In terms of imagination, Dark Crystal most definitely reigns supreme. The movie is visual masterpiece, creating an entire world so vast, it had it's own book published to expand on the lore and creatures. And, like anything that has Jim Hensen's name attached, the costumes and puppet work are out of this world. It's also noticeably darker compared to the likes of Hensen's other works, as some of the character designs and effects can be quite creepy.
Unfortunately, the film is much more fun to look at than it is to watch. The overall plot is fairly simple, as a single gelfing is given the monumental task of locating a missing shard of the legendary Dark Crystal before the alignment of the three suns. Why must this monumental task fall upon him? I wish I knew. The story is simple, but we aren't given enough time to give a lot of the characters depth or agency. It just sort of feels rushed.
Still, like I said, it's a visual marvel that has to be seen to be believed. I'm glad I saw it, just don't think I'd see it again.