review: THE DARK CRYSTAL

Sony Pictures  //  Buy from Amazon.com In another time, the Dark Crystal was the Balance and Truth in the Universe, but it was destroyed and the world split into two factions led by the wicked Skeksis and the peaceful Mystics. Now as the convergence of the three suns approaches, the Crystal must be healed or darkness will reign forever. It is up to Jen, the last of his race, to carry out the prophecy that a Gelfing will return the missing chard of crystal and destroy the Skeksis' evil Empire. But will Jen be up to the challenge of battling the unknown? Along with "Labyrinth" (a film that also just received a special anniversary edition release on DVD), "The Dark Crystal" was a film that I bet I rented several times a year growing up - in fact, it was the first movie I sought out on VHS to own once I bought my first TV & VCR at college. There was something about this dark, dreamy, mystical fable that wrapped its fingers around my brain and held fast throughout the many years, fads, changing world views, etc. Through it all, this film has remained a beloved classic, and not just to me, as evidenced by the (strong selling) multiple DVD releases it has received. Well, with this 25th Anniversary Edition, we get a 2-disc set that includes not only the original film itself in a stunning new high-definition remastering, but also a plethora of extras and making-of featurettes that take you behind the scenes and give you a sense of scale and accomplishment of what it took to bring this grand vision to life. I unabashedly love this film, and felt myself slip back in time 20 years sitting down to watch it again for this review. It's not a soft, cuddly kid flick, but is an engaging, entertaining, intelligent fairy tale made before the days of CG bleh and watered down effects. Jim Henson was a man above men, and this is undoubtedly his crown jewel. Video Remastered from a new hi-def transfer, the film is presented in a lovingly restored 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer that looks better than I have ever seen this film. To see it opened up to its original very wide aspect ratio, with a level of detail that far surpasses the worn out VHS copies I used to enjoy, this is a treat to behold! Audio A rich & robust Dolby 5.1 surround mix is included that beautifully accompanies the stellar visuals. Extras audio commentary w/ conceptual designer 2 making-of featurettes featurette on mystical aspects of film production featurette gallery deleted scene work print scenes Closing Thoughts The definitive fairy tale puppet movie + tons o' engrossing extras = a spectacular film receives its definitive DVD release