Featured Audience Ratings

• Spencer S

  
  A complete disconnect from much of Henson's earlier work, "Dark Crystal" is darker, more mysterious, heartfelt, and mystical. It combines the movie magic of puppetry, which is one of the more nuanced art forms, and a magical story about the last of a race of people,… More
  A complete disconnect from much of Henson's earlier work, "Dark Crystal" is darker, more mysterious, heartfelt, and mystical. It combines the movie magic of puppetry, which is one of the more nuanced art forms, and a magical story about the last of a race of people, hidden from a villainous race of vulture-like creatures. Jen, a "Gelfling", who looks like an elvish character, is the only humanistic character included in this film, which was completely without any human actors, the first of its kind. He is cared for by one of the masters, who is kidnapped, prompting Jen to go off into the torrid jungle settings of a world complete with a plethora of other creepy crawlies. Much of the film circles upon two stories: one is between Jen and Kira, another Gelfling who can communicate with animals, as they realize their role in an ancient prophecy surrounding a shard and the infamous Dark Crystal. The other surrounds the vulture-like society of Garthim, who destroyed the Gelfling race to keep the prophecy of the reunion of the crystal from happening. The Garthim scared the crap out of me as a child, and here they are as menacing and dark as the subject matter suggests. They are ostensibly creepy as they act like real and malicious animals, including engaging in duels, snapping at one another with their beaks, and tearing each other to bits at the behest of their leader. The sets are beautiful, airy affairs that are just as whimsical and spritely as Henson's later film "Labyrinth". The Gelflings speak with light voices and speak intermittently through their minds. Though it is darker than past Henson projects it is his seminal best and most interesting, much less ostentatious than Labryrinth, and more versatile than The Muppets.

• Emil K

  
  Extremely weird and grim fantasy-film with unique look and and vision. This certainly has some cult following among some filmgoers, but for me Henson' creations here feels just too lifeless and stiff to be rooted for. Screenplay by Henson and David Odell is nothing that special… More
  Extremely weird and grim fantasy-film with unique look and and vision. This certainly has some cult following among some filmgoers, but for me Henson' creations here feels just too lifeless and stiff to be rooted for. Screenplay by Henson and David Odell is nothing that special either. There is this familiar cliched theme of good versus evil on top of everything, but it is not without it's potential entirely. I myself do admire much more these kind of handmade puppetry effects than often lifeless cgi-animation and i do give credit for Jim Henson for his imagination and creativity. The problem lies mostly in film's sloppy pacing. At times the direction of Jim Henson and Frank Oz moves forward with snail's pace and some scenes feel like they are happening underwater. Dark Crystal is a curiosity and brave attempt in fantasy genre. Still it cannot escape it's weak structure and cliched moments.

• Jacob E

  
  This isn't the best film of 1982 (otherwise known as the year of the cult film, including the likes of "TRON", "The Thing", and none other than "The Dark Crystal"). Not even close. But it's still worth watching. This was the first major film… More
  This isn't the best film of 1982 (otherwise known as the year of the cult film, including the likes of "TRON", "The Thing", and none other than "The Dark Crystal"). Not even close. But it's still worth watching. This was the first major film that tried to sell it's entire world on puppetry alone (and one of the only at that) and it's worth seeing on those grounds. Jim Henson's team went insane with this one, and it shows. The creature designs are spectacular, weird, and brilliant all at once. It manages to form a fantasy world unlike any other (except for maybe Labyrinth, but considering that was designed by Brian Froud and directed by Jim Henson as well, this shouldn't come as a surprise). If you respect the profession of puppetry or practical effects in general, check this one out.

• Coxxie M

  
  more action-packed than "the Mothman Prophecies." more hilarious than "the Terminal." more innovative than "Righteous Kill." more tear-jerking than "Fight Club." more suspenseful than "Takers." more witty than "the Boondock… More
  more action-packed than "the Mothman Prophecies." more hilarious than "the Terminal." more innovative than "Righteous Kill." more tear-jerking than "Fight Club." more suspenseful than "Takers." more witty than "the Boondock Saints 2: All Saints Day." more terrifying than "Species." more blood-soaked than "Love Comes Softly." more influential than "Road Trip: Beer Pong." See this film!

• Phil H

  
  For effects, design, style, puppetry, art and story, this film is 100% Henson genius, fantastic looking and beautifully told in a Muppet cross dark live action tale of wizards and magic in another world. Its quite dark for kids and will scare, but its a twisted fairytale thats just… More
  For effects, design, style, puppetry, art and story, this film is 100% Henson genius, fantastic looking and beautifully told in a Muppet cross dark live action tale of wizards and magic in another world. Its quite dark for kids and will scare, but its a twisted fairytale thats just stunning in concept and production. The creatures and detail is perfect, everything works well in their own way and is crafted by skilled craftsmen/women. The only problem is its alittle dull and maybe too dark for its targeted audience. Along with 'Labyrinth' this film is another fantastic puppetry film from Henson which simply cannot fail to impress and show modern films how to really look good, wonderful.

• Greg S

  
  A meek Gelfling saves the universe by fulfilling a prophecy requiring him to heal the Dark Crystal. A great looking movie, with advanced puppetry and brilliant colors; unfortunately the watered-down "Lord of the Rings" ripoff plot isn't half as interesting as the… More
  A meek Gelfling saves the universe by fulfilling a prophecy requiring him to heal the Dark Crystal. A great looking movie, with advanced puppetry and brilliant colors; unfortunately the watered-down "Lord of the Rings" ripoff plot isn't half as interesting as the visuals.

• Luke B

  
  An absolutely gorgeous film. This is a film that should be enjoyed more today than ever. In a world of needless CGI, here we have a world that was actually created. Characters that could be touched and felt. They add texture, shadows, and life to their environments. The work of the… More
  An absolutely gorgeous film. This is a film that should be enjoyed more today than ever. In a world of needless CGI, here we have a world that was actually created. Characters that could be touched and felt. They add texture, shadows, and life to their environments. The work of the puppeteers and designers on this film is just amazing. The Dark Crystal tells a fairly generic story of chosen ones, evil vs. good, etc. But does it in a fearless and terrifying way. One of my favorite things about this film is that not all of the good guys are cute or pleasant to look at. Some are downright ugly. It always irked me that good guys could never be ugly. We're always taught to not judge by appearances, but here we get to see that mentality. The film has death, bodies crumbling away, and creatures being stripped and banished. The Skesis' fear of death is wonderfully played out. Their hard, skeletal bodies a thing of many children's nightmares. The way they steal essences from other living creatures is also disturbing. The Dark Crystal is an unforgettable piece of cinema, and imagination.

• AJ V

  
  Jim Henson's all puppet fantasy adventure is something every fantasy fan should check out, it's really very cool.

• Ginny  

  
  Ye oldie Henson. Thought it was good, weird, and interestingly creepy. Couldve been better.

• MisterYoda ?

  
  4 stars

• Tim S

  
  I can't say I'm a huge fan of this. I didn't grow up with it like a lot of its fanbase did. That said, I found it to be really slow (painfully slow actually). The characters were pretty-well imagined, but there was hardly any story to back them up. In the end, it… More
  I can't say I'm a huge fan of this. I didn't grow up with it like a lot of its fanbase did. That said, I found it to be really slow (painfully slow actually). The characters were pretty-well imagined, but there was hardly any story to back them up. In the end, it just felt tedious. I love Jim Henson's Creature Workshop and all that they do, but this movie just isn't that good.

• Anthony L

  
  Jim Henson was a master storyteller who?s magical worlds and loveable characters enriched a generations imagination and made many a child happy. I love everything he?s done and still watch this, Labyrinth and the Muppet movies from time to time, it?s a tragedy he died so young but… More
  Jim Henson was a master storyteller who?s magical worlds and loveable characters enriched a generations imagination and made many a child happy. I love everything he?s done and still watch this, Labyrinth and the Muppet movies from time to time, it?s a tragedy he died so young but luckily the Henson group are still around and rumours of new productions keep me, and millions of others happy. Just get on with it!!

• Thomas B

  
  thia is one of the most beautifully constructed, out-of-the-box films ever. one of the most incredible fantasy films ever made

• Dean M

  
  Superb puppetry and imagery of the Good and Evil created by Jim Henson from TV series' <i>The Muppets</i> that reminded me when I was a kid. The fantasy tale is kind familiar in the style of J.R. R. Tolkien's <i>The Lords of the Rings</i>, using the… More
  Superb puppetry and imagery of the Good and Evil created by Jim Henson from TV series' <i>The Muppets</i> that reminded me when I was a kid. The fantasy tale is kind familiar in the style of J.R. R. Tolkien's <i>The Lords of the Rings</i>, using the movie magic that brought E.T. and Yoda to life.

• Jon L

  
  I know this is good, but it was so long ago since I saw it. Computer animation is no substitute for Jim Henson's pupetry.

• xGary X

  
  A sweet muppet-based fairytale packed with fantastic production design. As usual, it's the baddies who steal the show...the Skeksis are great fun!

• Dean !

  
  A great fantasyfilm for all the family. If you like Labyrinth check this out.

• Lafe F

  
  A unique fantasy realm, done totally with puppet actors. It's slightly dark and creepy, but ultimately rewarding and richly textured legend which inspires the imagination.

• Tim B

  
  Inspired me as a kid, and has stuck with me throughout my life.

• Curtis L

  
  Fun with puppets. Good fantasy

Read all 20 featured audience ratings