Labyrinth Review

So I just watched Jim Henson's Labyrinth. Jim Henson was weird.

It's a bizarre film. Not that that's a bad thing. If anything I think we could use some more out there ideas in movies.

Of course when you look at Labyrinth there are two things that stand out as exceptional. David Bowie as Jareth the Goblin King, and Jim Henson's amazing practical effects. First you got Bowie strutting around singing surrounded by goblins and a baby. I never thought I'd be disappointed to cut away from goblin baby strut singing, but goddamnit every time they cut away from Bowie to whatever Jennifer Connelly was up to, I couldn't help but miss that Dance Magic Dance and Jump Magic Jump.

On the other hand that disappointment never lasted long because Jim Henson practical effects are second to none. The craftsmanship in this movie is incredible. The beautiful matte paintings, the sets, and of course Henson's trademark puppetry are all so intricate and stunning that I can't help but marvel at it. Everything's so unique and strange. The Labyrinth itself has so many neat tricks and elaborate set pieces. From the first turn that's invisible because of forced perspective to the crazy junkyard at the end the Labyrinth has a new surprise at every turn. Then there's Jareth's Castle which is like a straight up MC Escher painting.

But none of that would work without the characters. Jim Henson was a master of his craft and each of his puppets is so unique and expressive that you never stop to think about the materials they're made of or the person pulling the strings. They just feel like characters. Natural extensions of the world Jim Henson created.

Now that's not to say the movie doesn't have faults. The story is pretty barebones. It's never entirely clear what Jareth's motivations are in kidnapping the baby. Jennifer Connelly's acting is pretty flat and forced throughout the whole movie and she is clearly out of her depth whenever she shares the scene with Bowie. Some of the humor is a little low brow such as the Bog of Eternal Stench. The music is a little hit or miss with the clear stand out being Dance Magic Dance. And then there's the Fireys' scene. In a movie where the practical effects are mostly seamless, the green screen effects during the musical numbers with the Fireys are appalling on par with the cgi barn owl during the opening credits. Those two elements date this otherwise timeless fantasy story.

Those complaints aside I thought Labyrinth was a thoroughly enjoyable romp and a reminder of the power that well crafted practical effects have to impress 30 years later. I give Labyrinth 10 out of 13 magic crystal bubble peach things.