I miss Jim Henson.
When he passed away in 1990, I was only 11, but I can still remember feeling sad at the news. Here was a man who effectively shaped much of the pop culture of my childhood through the wonder of his Muppets and their various forms. Kermit and Co. Big Bird and the gang at Sesame Street. Even Emmett Otter and his jug band were a highlight of many a family Christmas. But as I got older, I found the Muppets to be too childish, and the enormity of his technical achievements was completely lost on me.
That is, until I bought The Dark Crystal on DVD three weeks ago. While all the regular Muppet films were staples of my youth, I'd only seen Dark Crystal once or twice, and not for at least ten years. But as it was an extras-loaded DVD, and only $15 used, I picked it up. I'm glad to say I'm very satisfied with the purchase. I won't go too much into the story, since you can read about it in other opinions. Jen is the last of his race, the Gelflings, and to save his world, he must heal the Dark Crystal before the evil Skeksis can eliminate him.
To be honest, the story isn't too original, but the joy in anything with the Henson name on it lies in the visuals. Here, it's no different. The five years of work put into the creation of the planet of Thra (never mentioned in the film, but referred by name in the novel) is shown on every inch of the letterbox image. The only other problem I can see with the film itself is that it is simply too dark for young children, presumably one of the reasons it was not successful at the box office. The intended audience stayed away because they figured it was a kids movie, while parents mistakenly took their young ones to see what they figured was going to be a typical Muppet movie. I give Henson and Co. credit for trying something different, but unfortunately, the public didn't respond. Still, the film has attained cult status, and as such, is now available on DVD.
This Special Edition DVD is worthy of the name. Not only do you have the film in anamorphic widescreen (the print is fine for a 1982 release), Trevor Jones' underappreciated score booms through in Dolby Digital 5.1 glory. While the score has never been released on CD (although if you really, really want it, there are bootlegs available), here it's also on an isolated track. Jones wants it released, the fans want it released, but for some reason, the Henson Company is stingy with the rights. Too bad, because it's a great fantasy score and deserves to see a proper CD release (maybe for next year's 20th anniversary?).
The other extras are also top notch. There's some fascinating workprint footage (the film was originally two hours) including the highly-regarded funeral scenes and Frank Oz voicing Aughra. The high point, however, is the hour-long documentary originally broadcast on PBS back in 1982. "The World of the Dark Crystal" is an amazing look at the making of the film. If you don't appreciate Jim Henson, you will after seeing this. Trailers (three for Dark Crystal, one for Labyrinth and a commercial for The Storyteller) and talent files round out the package.
It's an absolutely necessary DVD if you consider yourself a Muppet fan at all... go get it.
When he passed away in 1990, I was only 11, but I can still remember feeling sad at the news. Here was a man who effectively shaped much of the pop culture of my childhood through the wonder of his Muppets and their various forms. Kermit and Co. Big Bird and the gang at Sesame Street. Even Emmett Otter and his jug band were a highlight of many a family Christmas. But as I got older, I found the Muppets to be too childish, and the enormity of his technical achievements was completely lost on me.
That is, until I bought The Dark Crystal on DVD three weeks ago. While all the regular Muppet films were staples of my youth, I'd only seen Dark Crystal once or twice, and not for at least ten years. But as it was an extras-loaded DVD, and only $15 used, I picked it up. I'm glad to say I'm very satisfied with the purchase. I won't go too much into the story, since you can read about it in other opinions. Jen is the last of his race, the Gelflings, and to save his world, he must heal the Dark Crystal before the evil Skeksis can eliminate him.
To be honest, the story isn't too original, but the joy in anything with the Henson name on it lies in the visuals. Here, it's no different. The five years of work put into the creation of the planet of Thra (never mentioned in the film, but referred by name in the novel) is shown on every inch of the letterbox image. The only other problem I can see with the film itself is that it is simply too dark for young children, presumably one of the reasons it was not successful at the box office. The intended audience stayed away because they figured it was a kids movie, while parents mistakenly took their young ones to see what they figured was going to be a typical Muppet movie. I give Henson and Co. credit for trying something different, but unfortunately, the public didn't respond. Still, the film has attained cult status, and as such, is now available on DVD.
This Special Edition DVD is worthy of the name. Not only do you have the film in anamorphic widescreen (the print is fine for a 1982 release), Trevor Jones' underappreciated score booms through in Dolby Digital 5.1 glory. While the score has never been released on CD (although if you really, really want it, there are bootlegs available), here it's also on an isolated track. Jones wants it released, the fans want it released, but for some reason, the Henson Company is stingy with the rights. Too bad, because it's a great fantasy score and deserves to see a proper CD release (maybe for next year's 20th anniversary?).
The other extras are also top notch. There's some fascinating workprint footage (the film was originally two hours) including the highly-regarded funeral scenes and Frank Oz voicing Aughra. The high point, however, is the hour-long documentary originally broadcast on PBS back in 1982. "The World of the Dark Crystal" is an amazing look at the making of the film. If you don't appreciate Jim Henson, you will after seeing this. Trailers (three for Dark Crystal, one for Labyrinth and a commercial for The Storyteller) and talent files round out the package.
It's an absolutely necessary DVD if you consider yourself a Muppet fan at all... go get it.
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