Film
What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases
Bookmark this pageThe Dark Crystal (1982)
Director: Jim Henson, Frank Oz
Movie review
From Time Out Film Guide
Every attempt to film in the epic fantasy style of The Lord of the Rings has foundered on the technical difficulties involved, particularly Equity's failure to produce trolls, orks and hobbits in sufficient quantities. Henson, creator of the Muppets, has put all his energies into creating a spectacular range of live-action creatures who prance and gobble their way across the screen with an unprecedented conviction. Given this enormous advantage, it is therefore disappointing that this $26 million film should restrict itself to a very basic pulp fantasy plot - the hero's quest to free his world from the ravages of an evil race - when there are superior models available in any bookshop. Monstrous characterisations, and the relish with which the strange rituals of evil creatures are portrayed, make up for this deficiency. Desiccated, clawing villains feasting on rotting food in a castle as unprepossessing as the crashed spaceship in Alien have a splendour that is almost operatic.Author: DP
Cast & crew
Director: Jim Henson, Frank Oz
Producer: Jim Henson, Gary Kurtz
Cast: Kathryn Mullen, Frank Oz, Dave Goelz, Brian Muehll, Jim Henson full cast
Genre(s): Fantasy
Duration: 93 mins
Most popular on this site
Top Stories
Stephen Poliakoff discusses 'Glorious 39'
Stephen Poliakoff’s ‘Glorious 39’ is his first film for cinema since ‘Food of Love’ in 1997. Dave Calhoun met him
Is 'Paranormal Activity' the new 'Blair Witch'?
How does a film go from DIY experiment to box-office smash? 'Paranormal Activity' director Oren Peli explains
Steven Soderbergh on 'The Informant!' and 'The Girlfriend Experience'
We talk to Steven Soderbergh about his two forthcoming films: one featuring a porn star, the other a chubby Matt Damon
A gateway to all things 'New Moon'
In anticipation of 'The Twilight Saga: New Moon', Time Out is offering the chance to pick up a limited edition pack with three exclusive magazines and a free poster.
London Children's Film Festival
Read our exclusive reviews of films playing at the 2009 London Children’s Film Festival
The films that deserve a TV spin-off
With Roland Emmerich suggesting he'd like to make a '2012' TV spin-off, we propose some more movie-to-TV serialisations
The Coen brothers discuss 'A Serious Man'
Masters of contrary comedy, Joel and Ethan Coen have struck gold again with their latest, ‘A Serious Man’
Michael Haneke discusses 'The White Ribbon'
Dave Calhoun met with Michael Haneke in Munich to mull over the details of his Palme d'Or winner, 'The White Ribbon'
Ten inspirations behind 'Avatar'?
Time Out ponders the influences behind James Cameron's anticipated space-opera on the basis of the trailer
Time Out's 50 greatest animated films with commentary by Terry Gilliam
In celebration of the release of Pixar's 'Up' and Wes Anderson's 'Fantastic Mr Fox', read our rundown of fifty classic feature length animations
What do you think?
Post your review now