The Dark Crystal (1982) ***** [Henson UHD Double Feature Pt. 1]
The Dark Crystal (1982) is my favorite fantasy film. It certainly scared me as a child, but I love that Jim Henson (one of my heroes) wasn't afraid to go to dark places in a "family film," a quality largely lacking in today's entertainment.
TDC is a fairly simple story of good and evil, with a hero on a quest to save his world from darkness (with the aid of a selfless and gifted female friend). What sets it apart is the masterful artistry that went into making the film. I've always appreciated the monumental effort that it must have taken to bring TDC to life. It truly is a marvel to behold and the film stands the test of time.
I realize that certain aspects of it may appear dated and that it's not perfect, but it has the power to transcend. Every time I return to it, I am wholly absorbed in its world (Trevor Jones' stirring score—with its grand, memorable theme—is a big reason for this as well). Every time I watch it, I am in awe of the level of unmatched creativity and the ridiculously detailed, handcrafted creations. There will never again be a film like this, where virtually everything on screen was captured in camera.
Even if it's flawed, I'll never be able to award TDC anything but a perfect score because it is so intrinsically linked to my childhood and it's such a singular film. The Muppets may be Henson's legacy (and we're talking about a man who gave the world so many memorable characters across TV and film), but, in my eyes, this film is his greatest accomplishment.
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