heart ... Autumn leaves fall and are swept out of sight ...
Title: Labyrinth
By: Jim Henson
Year’: 1986
Genre: Fantasy
Summary: "When young Sarah cavalierly wishes that goblins take her crying baby brother away, she gets her wish. Now, she must confront Jareth – ruler of a mystical world one step removed from reality, master of the goblins who abducted her brother ... and creator of the treacherous labyrinth that Sarah must solve in order to make things right.
From the imagination of Jim Henson, the wizardry of George Lucas and the genius of David Bowie, comes a fantastical adventure to a world where everything seems possible ... and nothing is what it seems."
From the moment the credits begin, you know this is going to be a fantasy film, even if you didn't read the blurb beforehand. The music – written by David Bowie – immediately emits a fantasy air. Throughout the film, each piece carries an element of this dream-like sense, whether a song is fast or slow in tempo. Admittedly there's a lot of synthesising, but hey, it was the 80s. The costumes suggest as much too; shoulder pads, big collars, big hair, extraordinary make-up, high pants – or in the case of David Bowie, high tights. Also true to the 80s are the special effects; it's rather evident whenever Sarah – Jennifer Connelly – stands in front of a blue screen, which I suppose aids to frighten any young child who sees the film, especially during the song Chilly Down with the Fire Gang puppets. ((Personally I devoured this film as a child, but I hear many were frightened of it.))
In true Jim Henson style, the puppetry is rather good. A lot of effort was put into each and every one of them. For example, Hoggle needed to be operated by three people; one gave him a voice, another used a remote control system to work his facial expressions, and there was a woman within the costume who did the rest. The way they manage to work in sync is definitely something to admire.
Admittedly, Connelly's acting has its moments of utter failure; several lines could have been executed with more feeling towards the scenarios they’re in, and her body language now and again screams amateur acting. Her actual screaming is not too bad though. Bowie has less faults in his acting; still some, but not as many as Connelly. He plays the part of a haughty king very well, I must say.
Labyrinth may not be as musical as actual musicals, but it still counts. It's a good story riddled with wonderful phrases that can be well remembered and used in any daily situation, and Sarah's transition from being a spoiled brat to a considering person is a good life lesson. Though she may not have gone from being a child to an adult, this is a film for children, after all, and Labyrinth teaches them not only that life isn't fair ((couldn't resist)), but also that you shouldn’t be in such a rush to grow up; and at the same time, learn to take on responsibilities. Not to mention the value of friendship. It's a film to be enjoyed "by the whole family", bound to Dance, Magic Dance its way into anyone's DVD collection or Must See List.
Rating: I give this a 4; not just because I like David Bowie, but also because I like fantasy works – and I'm a musical nut. The small downsides mentioned keep it from being a 5; not to mention Bowie's snaggle teeth. Still, I like it. If you do get your hands on the 2-disc DVD, take the time to watch the Inside the Labyrinth documentary on the making of Labyrinth. And it's better to watch it with headphones plugged in; you'll experience the music better that way.
By: Jim Henson
Year’: 1986
Genre: Fantasy
Summary: "When young Sarah cavalierly wishes that goblins take her crying baby brother away, she gets her wish. Now, she must confront Jareth – ruler of a mystical world one step removed from reality, master of the goblins who abducted her brother ... and creator of the treacherous labyrinth that Sarah must solve in order to make things right.
From the imagination of Jim Henson, the wizardry of George Lucas and the genius of David Bowie, comes a fantastical adventure to a world where everything seems possible ... and nothing is what it seems."
From the moment the credits begin, you know this is going to be a fantasy film, even if you didn't read the blurb beforehand. The music – written by David Bowie – immediately emits a fantasy air. Throughout the film, each piece carries an element of this dream-like sense, whether a song is fast or slow in tempo. Admittedly there's a lot of synthesising, but hey, it was the 80s. The costumes suggest as much too; shoulder pads, big collars, big hair, extraordinary make-up, high pants – or in the case of David Bowie, high tights. Also true to the 80s are the special effects; it's rather evident whenever Sarah – Jennifer Connelly – stands in front of a blue screen, which I suppose aids to frighten any young child who sees the film, especially during the song Chilly Down with the Fire Gang puppets. ((Personally I devoured this film as a child, but I hear many were frightened of it.))
In true Jim Henson style, the puppetry is rather good. A lot of effort was put into each and every one of them. For example, Hoggle needed to be operated by three people; one gave him a voice, another used a remote control system to work his facial expressions, and there was a woman within the costume who did the rest. The way they manage to work in sync is definitely something to admire.
Admittedly, Connelly's acting has its moments of utter failure; several lines could have been executed with more feeling towards the scenarios they’re in, and her body language now and again screams amateur acting. Her actual screaming is not too bad though. Bowie has less faults in his acting; still some, but not as many as Connelly. He plays the part of a haughty king very well, I must say.
Labyrinth may not be as musical as actual musicals, but it still counts. It's a good story riddled with wonderful phrases that can be well remembered and used in any daily situation, and Sarah's transition from being a spoiled brat to a considering person is a good life lesson. Though she may not have gone from being a child to an adult, this is a film for children, after all, and Labyrinth teaches them not only that life isn't fair ((couldn't resist)), but also that you shouldn’t be in such a rush to grow up; and at the same time, learn to take on responsibilities. Not to mention the value of friendship. It's a film to be enjoyed "by the whole family", bound to Dance, Magic Dance its way into anyone's DVD collection or Must See List.
Rating: I give this a 4; not just because I like David Bowie, but also because I like fantasy works – and I'm a musical nut. The small downsides mentioned keep it from being a 5; not to mention Bowie's snaggle teeth. Still, I like it. If you do get your hands on the 2-disc DVD, take the time to watch the Inside the Labyrinth documentary on the making of Labyrinth. And it's better to watch it with headphones plugged in; you'll experience the music better that way.
... So are the memories of love that we knew ... heart
