The Dark Crystal

Rating:
Summary: A great DVD and a great movie!!!--DETAILS MAX!
Review: First of all, I love this film and if you love this film get the DVD now! It has everything a Dark Crystal fan wants! Documentary, original language workprints (Frank oz does the voice for Auhgra! with the characters speaking in their own language), and the deleted scene, which is awesome!!! The widesreen remastered print is beautiful and blows all other copies of this moive out of the water. Buy this DVD and watch pure movie magic!! (a little cheesy but I had to say it:))

Rating:
Summary: Imaginative & mystical production of the duplicity of "man"
Review: Very rarely does a movie have the impact that the "THE DARK CRYSTAL" leaves on the watcher. Henson's crew draws together a realistic, yet mystical cast. Fun and thought provoking, this film is a must see for anyone with an open mind and an eye for "truth".

Rating:
Summary: I loved the special features, but not the movie quality.
Review: I didn't buy this dvd to criticize it or take it apart. I bought it to own it and enjoy it---like most people. This is my absolute favorite movie. I looked forward to seeing all of the new features being released about this movie. The special features were incredible---the work prints, the clips, the trailers, character profiles,the deleted scenes----all of that was pretty magical to me. The problem that I had was with the overall quality of the movie itself. The sound was not top notch, and the movie was entirely too dark----NOT the content(I love this movie!)I'm talking about the color of the characters, backgrounds, etc...it seemed to have been re-issued in a darker finish. The biggest disappointment, was that the original soundtrack was not on the dvd as stated---there was an option to choose it, called "isolated music score", but when you choose it, you just get sent back to the beginning of the dvd menu. The other problem that really messed-up the whole movie----certain colors were changed. For instance: the color of the crystal became purple instead of that murky wine color. Next, when the crystal was healed, after the rock and crust fall from the walls, the brilliant white crystalline walls of the castle are no longer white---the dvd shows these walls in brown---they seemed faded; not how they were portrayed in the original. Next, when the Urskeks ascend to their higher realm, they meld together and are swept into this beautiful funnel of white energy and carried through the triangular portal over the crystal.In the dvd, however, someone changed the white color of the energy into GREEN; a serious contrast---it was so obvious. That was terrible. Lastly, the sound dips and waves in two places----immediately after Kira is brought back to life by the Urskek...right after her head moves. And the sound also fluctuates at the exact point where the Urskeks disappear through the triangle portal...right when the end music hits its climax. The reason why I know so many of the flaws is because I have the laserdisk that was put out a couple of years ago, and I played them both at the same time---mirrored---I flipped back and forth just to see if my assumptions were right.. There were major differences. The quality was just not there for it being a re-issue. By all means---if you like this movie, then buy the dvd---it's great to have and watch. Just understand that the money that you are paying for this is strictly for the special features and not for the movie itself. I never criticize things just to criticize. I don't believe in nit-picking every little detail. This is simply not the Dark Crystal that I have grown to know and enjoy. I firmly believe that if you're going to take the time to bring back something so popular and special to so many people, why do it halfway? Do it right, and make it big.

Rating:
Summary: Stands the test of time!
Review: I first saw the Dark Crystal about ten years ago and it knocked me off my feet. After so long I have finaly found a copy and it has definately stood the test of time. It is as powerful to me now as it was when I was eight. An virtually unrivaled masterpiece!

Rating:
Summary: Mind-blowing
Review: Hands Down, the most ambitious example of puppetry on film, and one of the best animated films ever. Incredible. And (finally) available in widescreen! This is not to be missed! (Parents should note, however, that although this is sometimes billed as a kid's movie, small children may find the evil characters too frightening to enjoy the film...great for the 10 and over set, though - and for adults as well!)

Rating:
Summary: Henson reaches new heights of visual artistry!
Review: In this too often overlooked masterpiece, Muppet-master Jim Henson breathes life into a world of mythic proportions. The storyline only serves to showcase the visual genius of the film. From the evil Skekises to the benevolent Mystics, this film is a childhood memory of mine that remains "crystal" clear to this day. It is a shame that this film has not recieved the widespread recognition that it deserves.

Rating:
Summary: The perfect fairy story for your schoolage children!
Review: Dark Crystal was one of my favourite movies growing up and I want to have it for my son. It is a classic good vs. evil fairy tale told with extraordinary puppetry and special effects. This is truly a classic.

Rating:
Summary: A Masterpiece of Muppetry
Review: It is easy to forget that the "actors" in this movie are just a bunch of puppets. It is so well done that one is easily caught up in the action and the suspense. And, as a bonus, there's not a swear word to be heard which makes it great for all ages. My wife and I liked the Gelfling characters so well that we named our daughter Kira after the female lead. Watch this and you won't be disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: ..a childhood dream...
Review: The first time I saw The Dark Crystal I was 7 or so years old. I fell immediatly in love with every aspect of it! We had rented the movie from somewhere and I watched it four times in a row and still couldn't get enough. I haven't really changed much then, because I still want to watch it countless times more. The Dark Crystal has in its story the subtle magic that awakens the child within us all.

Rating:
Summary: Awesome
Review: This was my absolute favorite childhood movie, I watched it twice a day and I will never be sick of it. Unlike with Steve (below) it never scared me (although ET did). I think this movie helped to form my imagination and sense of wonder. It is a must for every video collection!