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Movies / On DVD / The Dark Crystal
The Dark Crystal

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The Dark Crystal (1982)

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Reviews Counted:30

Fresh:21

Rotten:9

Average Rating:6.1/10

Runtime: 2 hrs 40 mins

Genre: Science-Fiction/Fantasy

Synopsis: Featuring fantastical puppet flora and fauna from Muppet man Jim Henson, this dark but wonderful children's movie follows Jen and Kira, two young Gelflings who are the last of their kind, as they... Featuring fantastical puppet flora and fauna from Muppet man Jim Henson, this dark but wonderful children's movie follows Jen and Kira, two young Gelflings who are the last of their kind, as they try to fulfill the prophecy of the Dark Crystal. Jen's wise master reveals on his deathbed that only a Gelfling will mend the crystal that cracked 1,000 years ago and placed the land under the dark rule of the evil, selfish Skeksis. To break the prophecy, the Skeksis killed all the Gelflings, and only Jen and Kira escaped their wrath. Now, though, Jen and Kira must journey into the heart of the Skeksis castle to reach the crystal and return the land to its former goodness. Like all good children's movies, THE DARK CRYSTAL contains enough scary elements to keep the tension tight and the kids enthralled, while the puppet mastery will impress and tickle adults. THE DARK CRYSTAL was the first co-directorial effort of Frank Oz, who went on to direct THE MUPPETS TAKE MANHATTAN, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, IN & OUT, and BOWFINGER, among many other comedies. [More]

Director: Jim Henson, Frank Oz

Director: Jim Henson, Frank Oz
Screenwriter: Jim Henson, David Odell
Producer: Gary Kurtz

Reviews for The Dark Crystal

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
01/26/06
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
10/18/08
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

A wonderfully invented world full of characters that transcend their puppet limitations thanks to the energy and creativity of the Jim Hansen and Frank Oz team of puppeteers and voice actors

Full Review Source: Urban Cinefile | comment Comment
05/23/08
Urban Cinefile Critics
Urban Cinefile Critics
Urban Cinefile

No review available.

comment Comment
02/23/08
Cole Smithey
Cole Smithey
ColeSmithey.com

A distant, uninvolving experience … characters and emotions, even by the archetypal standards of high fantasy, never come to life, and the overarching mythology seems too self-consciously contrived.

Full Review Source: Decent Films Guide | comment Comment
09/21/07
Steven D. Greydanus
Steven D. Greydanus
Decent Films Guide

An extraordinary, often mesmerizing achievement of design and performance that's held back by an underdeveloped script and a milquetoast leading character.

Full Review Source: Groucho Reviews | comment Comment
08/14/07
Peter Canavese
Peter Canavese
Groucho Reviews

Crystal is a miraculous rush of innovation and storytelling patience, and, in the last 25 years, the film has grown from a 1982 misfire, to a cult wonder, to a bona-fide classic that's timeless in stature and masterful in execution.

Full Review Source: DVDTalk.com | comment Comment
07/30/07
Brian Orndorf
Brian Orndorf
DVDTalk.com

Points to the Henson team for trying to broaden the scope of their creatures -- and there's little denying that this particular flick still seems to hold up pretty darn well.

Full Review Source: DVD Clinic | comment Comment
11/15/06
Scott Weinberg
Scott Weinberg
DVD Clinic

Os personagens são bem realizados e animados, mas o roteiro, além de plagiar O Senhor dos Anéis, é burocrático e pouco envolvente.

comment Comment
01/08/06
Pablo Villaca
Pablo Villaca
Cinema em Cena

This ersatz Tolkien with puppets looks and plays like ersatz Tolkien with puppets.

Full Review Source: Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC) | comment Comment
10/12/05
Ken Hanke
Ken Hanke
Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

No review available.

comment Comment
10/10/05
Jake Euker
Jake Euker
F5 (Wichita, KS)

You have to love a fantasy whose greatest peril is the Bog of Eternal Stench.

Full Review Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune | comment 3 Comments
07/07/05
Colin Covert
Colin Covert
Minneapolis Star Tribune

No review available.

comment Comment
07/03/05
Emanuel Levy
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

comment Comment
05/18/05
Nicolas Lacroix
Nicolas Lacroix
EnPrimeur.ca

No review available.

comment Comment
04/26/05
Jonathan R. Perry
Jonathan R. Perry
Tyler Morning Telegraph (Texas)

The screenplay by David Odell, based on a story by Mr. Henson, is without any narrative drive whatever. It's without charm as well as interest.

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
08/30/04
Vincent Canby
Vincent Canby
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Comes off as an overblown puppet show.

Full Review Source: Reno Gazette-Journal | comment Comment
06/03/04
Forrest Hartman
Forrest Hartman
Reno Gazette-Journal

Ponderous, yet unique and strangely charming.

comment Comment
05/22/04
Rob Vaux
Rob Vaux
Flipside Movie Emporium

A leap into the darker side of Jim Henson's imagination, a wonderful movie.

comment Comment
03/27/04
Blake Davis
Blake Davis
KFOR Channel 4 News
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: PopMatters | comment Comment
02/13/04
Jesse Hassenger
Jesse Hassenger
PopMatters
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 >> >|
all

Latest News for The Dark Crystal

August 07, 2009: Brian Henson Promises Fraggle Rock Movie, Dark Crystal Sequel Opens in new window
Still holding out hope for a "Fraggle Rock" movie and a sequel to "The Dark Crystal"? According to Brian Henson, your faith will soon be rewarded. More...

February 01, 2006: "Clone Wars" Creator to Tackle the "Dark Crystal"
According to Variety, filmmaker Genndy Tartakovsky, creator of the seriously popular "Clone Wars" animated series, has been tapped by The Jim Henson Co. to helm their... More...

May 16, 2005: Henson Company Plans to Look Into "The Dark Crystal" Again
Brian and Lisa Henson, children of the legendary Jim Henson and head honchos at the production company that bears his name, recently announced plans for "The Power of the... More...

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