Film Review: "The Dark Crystal" (1982) ***
Note: The review of the this film is preceeding my review of the new Netflix series based on the film: The Dark Crystal: The Age of Resistance. Stay tuned.
Jim Henson was a visionary. He imagined like Francis Ford Coppola that his works could actually help create world peace. In many ways, Jim Henson came much closer than Francis did in his short life-time. Jim’s enduring legacy of Sesame Street, which he worked on for producer Joan Ganz Cooney, as well as his own creation The Muppets continue to change children’s lives today. Everyone has a Muppet or a character on Sesame Street that they relate to. One teacher at our school devoted part of an all school speech on Masculinity to Grover from who he learned it is okay to be different. For myself, there is both Oscar the Grouch, who I clinged to because of his pessimistic outlook, and there is Cookie Monster who cannot control his appetite. Even with these enduring beloved creations, Jim Henson’s favorite project he ever worked on was The Dark Crystal.
Revisiting The Dark Crystal (1982) after decades of not seeing it, it is amazing how well the visuals and world holds up. There are certainly limitations to the Gelfling puppets, Jen and Kira, which makes them less than ideal protagonists. Their wooden expressions stifle the story, which is admittedly less than cohesive. Jim Henson always cared more about the visuals of his films than the narrative. In fact, he originally wanted the entire movie to be recorded in a fictional language, leaving only the visuals for the audience to understand. Unfortunately, test audiences found it impossible to connect with the film and so that rather daring idea was abandoned. But, when you step back from the limitations of the film and story, what you have left is one of the most compelling and involved fantasy worlds ever put on screen.
Every image in the film is filled with details that populate the corners of the screen. Thra feels like a once thriving world that has since fallen into ruin. There is a melancholy tone to every color and creature. As a result, there are moments of wonder that punctuate the film that feel even more impressive. When Aughra, the Keeper of Secrets, takes Jen to her observatory, seeing the model of the rotation of the stars is truly breathtaking and beautiful. Against that limited beauty if the darkness and disgust of the villains, the Skeksis. Here, Jim Henson’s puppetry reveals the true depth of its capabilities. Similar to Yoda, the Skeksis come across as real. Their vulture like qualities combined with their ornate clothing demonstrate a predatory, scavenger, and glutinous nature. Each Skeksis, originally designed after the seven deadly sins, reveal themselves to be corrupted, pure evil and defined by their title.
The most deceptive and traitorous is The Chamberlain. Voiced by Frank Oz with a scheming hum to punctuate his lies, The Chamberlain begins by trying to seize power after the death of the Emperor. Watch how Chamberlain moves towards the scepter even before the Emperor is dead, revealing his ambition and desire. His challenge to The General for leadership of the world leads to one of the great scenes in the film: trial by stone. As disgusting and haunting as The Chamberlain is, all of the Skeksis have such qualities of disgust. Nothing is more horrifying than their dinner table when the gorge themselves on living creatures.
The other character who is the equal to the Skeksis is Mother Augrha, the Keeper of Secrets. Augrha has an eye that can be removed and roam on its own, allowing her to peer into places where she is not welcomed. A prophetess who has glimpsed the future and knows how the Skeksis will be defeated, she is a force not to be trifled with.
The story, what little there is, involves her prophecy that a Gelfling will heal the Dark Crystal by replacing the missing shard and restoring the Crystal to the Crystal of truth. The process will also reunite the two sides of being of light. The Skeksis were once joined with their opposites, the Mystics. The Mystics live in isolation, practicing creating mandalas and playing music. They hear the song of the Thra, the world they are a part of. They are devoid of human needs and pleasures of which the Skeksis solely desire. Jen, saved from extermination, now goes on an adventure to heal the Crystal. That this journey feels slow and at time without real conflict is a failing of the script, but the movie succeeds because of its visuals.
Enter in The Dark Crystal with an open mind ready to see a completely original world. Into this world, Henson pours his belief for balance and the protection of the planet. With all of the special effects today, a world completely composed of puppets still has the power to amaze.
