Rating: 
Summary: One of Jim Henson and Frank Oz's Best
Review: The Dark Crystal is one of Jim Henson and Frank Oz's
best movie's ever made.
Not like any of the muppet movie's but it is far
beyond any of those film's.
It is a fantasy,fairy tale and a masterpiece.
This is a must own for those who have children
and grand children,the kid's will love it.
I still watch it to this very day and I'm only 27.
A fantastic movie for all age's.
Rating:
Summary: ONE OF THE BEST FANATASY MOVIES EVER
Review: the dark crystal is an awesome movie for anyone to behold with any sort of imagination. there is not one scrap of the real world in this fantasy world. it is a totally alien experience. the characters are all well defined and you know who is good and who is bad. it is classically told in terms of good and evil, growth versus death, and a great coming of age story. i believe that this movie is suitable for anyone above the age of 7 because yes there are some scary parts that might scare a child it is nothing that they will not get over, plus they probably wont understand what is going on in the movie till they are older. the fact that this movie is solely performed by puppets makes its greatness even more profound. the talent of jim henson will never be matched and he deserves so much credit for the endurance of this movie. i remeber this movie from when i was young and i am so thrilled to have it on dvd. anyone and everyone should go out and buy this movie because of it great stroy, great puppetry and just overall greatness.
Rating:
Summary: Not a human to be found
Review: I originally saw this movie in the theatre with my [young] daughter in 1982. At the time, it represented a technical triumph of some significance. Others have discussed ad nauseum the story line... which, as a fantasy buff, I do find satisfying. However, as a movie collector, this film represents first use technology and technique... it is an important addition to any collection from this perspective alone.
Rating:
Summary: The two made one, by Gelfling hand or else by none
Review: "Another world, another time, in the age of wonder. A thousand years ago, this land was green and good, until the Crystal cracked. A single piece was lost, a shard of the Crystal. Then strife began. Then two new races appeared: the cruel Skeksis and the gentle Mystics."The ones in power in the Castle of the Crystal are the tall, lumbering Skeksis, a cross between vultures and dinosaurs, putrid lizards, as Aughra calls them. Some are downright fierce, such as the Garthim Master and Ritual Master, others are comical, such as the Chamberlain who challenges the Garthim Master for the emperor's throne...and loses. They also must have won the Worst Table Manners by a non-human intelligent species Award, as they burp and make loud smacking noises when eating their roast Nebri. In contrast, the four armed, tan, silver maned Mystics are more laid back, content in their simple peaceful ways, and despite being pokey upon their travel to the Castle of Crystal, don't underestimate them--they are powerful. Jen, a Gelfling raised by the Mystics when the Skeksis massacred his people, is the Chosen One. His journey--I know, Joseph Campbell--is to find the shard and heal the Crystal, and the land, or else the land will become a place of evil for good. As the prophecy goes, "When single shine the triple suns, what was sundered and undone, shall be whole, the two made one, by Gelfling hand or else by none." So when the Skeksis discover his existence, they press the panic button, so to speak, and sic the Garthim, lumbering black-carapaced crosses between woodlice, sowbugs, and beetles with crustacean claws who make clicking sounds when aroused, after our hero. In his quest, Jen is helped by Aughra, a squat gray curmudgeon of a harridan with her one removable eye, who lives in an observatory, and Kira, a pretty blonde Gelfling who knows how to communicate with animals via their calls, so it shows not all blondes are dumb, as she proves more resourceful than him, including a significance anatomical difference that saves both their hides later in the movie. Her pet Fizzgig is the most comical creature, resembling a furry light brown ball that barks, and reveals a mouthful of teeth when it roars. Jen and Kira complement each other, he has spent his life under the learned Mystics, while she has spent her life at one with nature. Jim Henson clearly borrowed some Buddhist principles here. The low-register chant of the Mystics owes a nod to the multiphonic chants practiced by the Tibetan Buddhist monks, as is the sandpainting one of the Mystics does in the early part of the movie. Then there's Aughra's mindset on what happens if Jen fails in his quest: "The end of the world, or the beginning. All the same, big change. Sometimes good, sometimes bad," which is kind of a Hindu mindset recalling the Shiva/Vishnu relationship, of destruction and renewal. Another symbolic representation is the image of Aughra's house the Mystic leader shows Jen. It resembles a brain, which given the orrery in her abode denotes her as the one gifted with scientific knowledge. Apart from the jungle scenery, it's the creatures that's a real visual triumph, from exotic plants and animals. The only letdown are the potato-like quiff-haired Pod People, who look like some toys for the 5 and unders. But of individual creatures, Fizzgig, Kira's pet, steals the show, as does the calculating Chamberlain, with his funny cunning whimper and sickly smile. Aided by Trevor Jones' sweeping score, The Dark Crystal will be optimal for kids 8 to 11, as those younger may find the Skeksis frightening and even disgusting, but for those into fantasy, people of any age, depending on how well you can take the Podlings.
Rating: 
Summary: When dreamers collide....
Review: The Dark Crystal is one of those rare movies that occurs in the overlap between two creative forces, in this case legendary puppeteer Jim Henson and reknowned fantasy artist Brian Froud. The story is one of a world in steep decline yet lingering on the brink of renewal, the characters are endearing and beautifully made, and while it lacks Labyrinth's musical numbers by David Bowie, even the music is good. The puppetry in this is amazing, conveying the personalities and feelings of the characters with, considering that the movie was made in the early 1980s, a suprising amount of facial expressiveness. Jen and Kira, the Gelflings, are full of warmth and friendliness while the reptilian Skesis are suitably sinister and scheming, the shaman-like Mystics are gentle and contemplative, the Podlings are lively and celebratory even in the face of Skesis opression, and even the mysterious super-fluffy-dog Fizzgig is wonderfully designed. Whether you're interested in this movie as a fan of Jim Henson's puppetry, Brian Froud's artwork, or just fantasy in general, it's devinitely a vital part of any fantasy movie collection (and one of the first parts of my own).
Rating: 
Summary: Fascinating but eerie Muppet tale
Review: Very Fascinating movie. I saw this movie for the first time when I was a child and it scared the life out of me...I decided to watch it again just recently. The movie has a high entertainment value but I think the audience that it was geared for(I believe the youth)it is too much for. I wouldn't recommend this for a young child...maybe a child 12-15 might enjoy this but I don't believe it's for anyone under 10. Overall it is a pretty good picture but I'd keep it away from the likes of looney tunes and care bears.
Rating:
Summary: An enchanted work of art. One of a kind
Review: I saw this movie when I was in college. I was completely spellbound. It was fantastic. The creativity and story line were excellent. All the characters are muppets. Jim Henson had a special knack for giving each muppet a unique personality. A personality with wit,humor and a political conscience. Something sadly lacking since Disney took over. This movie has some great lessons. I wish someone in the movie industry would step forward and make more movies like this.
Rating:
Summary: Loved it as a kid
Review: This is a great movie. I love the characters. There are alot of values being addressed here such as the love for your planet, respect to elders and animals and each other.
Rating:
Summary: TOOO CUTE!
Review: THE STORY IS A TRUE JIM HENSON CLASSIC. I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS WAS ACTUALLY FILM IN THE EARLY 80'S. A GREAT COLLECTIBLE FOR ALL OF YOU FANTASY LOVERS OUT THERE!
Rating:
Summary: Amazingly Odd.
Review: The Dark Crystal is quite possibly one of the strangest movies to ever come out of the Jim Henson Creature Shop. That being said, it is probably also one of the best. This movie portrays the classic struggle of good versus evil with the side of good facing seemingly insurmountable obstacles. While I enjoyed this film as a child (although some parts were a bit scary) I find myself enjoying it even more as an [young] adult. What originally appeared to be a struggle between good and evil now shows itself that all people have both good and evil inside of them, and the two work in a natural harmony. In a day of pure digital characters, it is exciting to see Muppets in action. As far as digital technology has come, it still lacks the realism these characters portray. I highly recommend this film.
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