No Right Answer: Best Jim Henson Movie Ever
- Thread starter Firefilm
- Start date
First off, Dark Crystal. YES!
Secondly, I'll have to look up that original cut. If anyone has a link that'd be awesome.
Thirdly, Chris's final word completely true. That was actually Peter Jackson's motto in the making of the Lord of the Rings... ie "If it can be done with practical effects, it should". Which is why many people (myself included) feel that the Lord of the Rings looks so much better than the Hobbit. Much more practical effects rather than CG
Secondly, I'll have to look up that original cut. If anyone has a link that'd be awesome.
Thirdly, Chris's final word completely true. That was actually Peter Jackson's motto in the making of the Lord of the Rings... ie "If it can be done with practical effects, it should". Which is why many people (myself included) feel that the Lord of the Rings looks so much better than the Hobbit. Much more practical effects rather than CG
I never knew The Dark Crystal was frightening; I always thought it was a fantastical adventure set in a strange land not ruled over by Bowie's crotch bulge. To me, hearing people say it's terrifying is like hearing people say Avatar was a horror movie.
I agree with the judgment on this one, though; mostly because of the timelessness of The Dark Crystal. It is a film that requires absolutely no working knowledge of anything from the time period in which it was made, whereas the muppet movie has the same entry barrier that most of the older muppet productions suffer from: the time stamped celebrities.
Also, how can you guys talk about Jim Henson and not even mention Fraggle Rock?
I agree with the judgment on this one, though; mostly because of the timelessness of The Dark Crystal. It is a film that requires absolutely no working knowledge of anything from the time period in which it was made, whereas the muppet movie has the same entry barrier that most of the older muppet productions suffer from: the time stamped celebrities.
Also, how can you guys talk about Jim Henson and not even mention Fraggle Rock?
My vote is for MirrorMask. Okay, so it's not a Jim Henson movie, just had the Jim Henson animation team for the CG. Oh and it's CG. And Neil Gaiman wrote it. And Dave McKean desinged and directed. Okay, so maybe it really doesn't count. But still! It's in the same family as Dark Crystal and Labyrinth. Just look that up! There are a few boxsets that back me up on this one!
I was gonna be difficult and vote for Labyrinth, but fine, have it your way.
Dark Crystal is the best Henson movie, and Labyrinth is the best David Bowie's bulge movie.
Dark Crystal is the best Henson movie, and Labyrinth is the best David Bowie's bulge movie.
If they ever make a Legend of Zelda movie, Dark Crystal is a good jumping off point for the overall look and tone to be aiming for.
Labyrinth wasn't a Henson movie? What madness is this?!
Personally, I don't see older movies having dated references being an automatic deal breaker, it's a learning experience. Sometimes I watch old movies on TCM with my dad and see how movies used to be made. So that's why it should not be difficult to watch the older Muppet movies in this day and age (and I haven't seen them so long, I don't even remember if I did at all. I should fix that).
Personally, I don't see older movies having dated references being an automatic deal breaker, it's a learning experience. Sometimes I watch old movies on TCM with my dad and see how movies used to be made. So that's why it should not be difficult to watch the older Muppet movies in this day and age (and I haven't seen them so long, I don't even remember if I did at all. I should fix that).
Kurt Cristal said:
While yes, Mirror Mask was after Jim Henson's time, it is a great Henson film. The fantasy and world building are definitely in that realm. I wish that Neil Gaiman and Jim could have collaborated on a film, epic-ness would have ensued.
As to the debate at hand, as much as I love The Muppet Movie (and I do, I love all Henson related paraphernalia), I believe that Dark Crystal is a better Jim Henson movie. It takes place purely in the fantastical and required a completely new world to be created and filled with creatures. Many of which were envisioned by Brian Fraud, who Jim collaborated with on this and Labyrinth (Brian's son Toby was the Toby in the film!!), and created by the Henson puppet team.
While yes, the Skesis Emperor dying scene always frightened me as a child (I was also scared of E.T. so do the math) the rest of the story made it bearable. And I would watch it repeatedly as a child, along with Labyrinth. Which is also a great Jim Henson movie (let's not forget Frank Oz though, he was Jim's right hand, as Frank was Jim's left).
But I digress, I guess what I'm saying is that I agree with the outcome and for a true experience, immerse your-self in the world of the Dark Crystal.