Labyrinth (1986)

Director: Jim Henson

Starring: David Bowie, Jennifer Connelly

Run Time: 101 mins

Certificate: U

 

Plot Outline: Angry at the fact she has to watch over her little brother whilst her parents go out, Sarah wishes that the goblins from her favourite book would take the child away. Her wish comes true however and she must then set about rescuing him from the Goblin King, whose castle is in the middle of a huge labyrinth. She has until midnight to rescue him or else he will become a goblin.

The Review: It's quite hard to find decent fantasy films which are suitable for all ages yet quite enjoyable to watch for adults too. Most of them are aimed at children with adults only being present only as an afterthought. However Jim Henson produced such a timeless classic with Labyrinth, which is suitable for all ages and enjoyable too. It's an enchanting fantasy film packed to the brim with fun, adventure and hundreds of Henson's eternal puppets. Having the ambition to pull off such a film is one thing - actually making it and making it work well is another and Henson pulls off the job admirably. For a start, the film looks like a fantasy film. The sets are enchanting, colourful and interactive meaning the most innocent-looking rocks are actually alive and things like doors and plants take on a whole new meaning. You really have to watch the film a second time to see the scope of the creativity. The good look of the film continues in the various puppet creations that Henson brings to life. There is something eternal about the puppets - be it the rather annoying Hoggle, the gentle giant Ludo or the classic Sir Didymus. Never mind CGI - these live-action creatures interact so well with humans that you would swear some of them are alive. Most of the puppets can look pretty menacing at first but they just end up pretty comedic, such as the massive horde of goblins guarding the castle. I couldn't stop laughing during the siege on the castle when everyone is running around like headless chickens. Seeing little puppets smash into each other is hilarious, in a quirky kind of way. If there is a problem with the film, it's the gratuitous musical numbers that were bound to happen once you cast David Bowie in your film. Bowie isn't the greatest actor and he does totally ham it up here but he does fit the role of the Goblin King - you just wish he'd shut up singing as much as he does.

Final Verdict: Labyrinth is a classic 80s fantasy which looks a little dated in some respects (the tacky synthesiser music for a start) but is guaranteed family fun in the company of loads of "muppets" doing silly things.

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