If you’ve never had a chance to see Jim Henson and Frank OzX Dark Crystal, the first thing you’ll probably notice is how good the movie looks. Even though it was originally released in 1982, Dark Crystal still looks better than many of the CGI sci-fi movies released in the last couple of years, which in itself should be a testament to how the practical effects stand the test of time and are still capable of surprising us four decades later. The second thing you should notice is that Dark Crystal is not your typical fantasy story, as it subverts imagery that is still used to the point of exhaustion.

Dark Crystal begins with a lengthy exposition that will tell you everything you need to know about the world of Thra, an alien planet devastated a millennium ago when the Crystal of Truth was shattered for unknown reasons. Immediately after the destruction of the crystal, two races appeared in the world of Thra. First, we have the vicious Skeksis who remain in the Dark Crystal Castle, perverting its powers to prolong their unnatural lives. Then we have the mystics, a peaceful tribe that builds a life for themselves by withdrawing from society, learning to thrive in nature without contact with society.

Explanatory narration can be tedious to start off a fantasy film, but it’s necessary nonetheless due to the complexity of the setting. Henson envisioned a fantasy world filled with mystery and history, and without understanding how Thra’s world works from the start, it would be difficult to follow Jen’s journey (voiced by Stephen Garlick), a hero who was prophesied to find the missing shard and restore the Crystal of Truth. Proof that Dark Crystal offers a layered world to explore is that the film spawned novels, comics, and even a series of Netflix prequels built on the same foundations laid down in Henson’s original story. Not surprising Dark Crystal spends so much screen time wandering the lands of Thra only to show off the rich fauna, flora and cultural attractions.

While Jen’s adventure follows a more or less straight path, Dark Crystal continues to surprise us until the credits roll. The world of Thra is inhabited by dozens of unique creatures created by folklore legend Brian Froud, who also worked with Henson in 1986. labyrinth. On top of that, the Skeksis, Mystics, and every other race that inhabits the land have their own costumes and rituals that help flesh out the complex relationships between different creatures.

And as we discuss design options, Dark Crystal deserves applause only for his puppets. The Skeksis, in particular, aren’t your usual group of faceless villains that a hero must defeat, but each has a unique personality expressed through their design. As for the mystics, they are all alike, and it is more difficult to distinguish one from the other. In a fantasy setting, the good guys have unique traits, and the villains are often given vapid design, a thoughtful decision that helps viewers perceive the hero’s actions as morally commendable as they simply slaughter a horde of clones. This is not true in Dark Crystal for a very good reason. The Skeksis are a manifestation of discord, with each member of their race trying to outdo the others. Mystics, on the other hand, represent harmony, which is why they look the same because they live in balance with each other. More than a curious design choice, a way Dark Crystal depicts both the Skeksis and the Mystics, captures the spirit of the story, which is not about fighting, but about healing.

We’ve all heard this story before: a hero rises from the ashes of his people to retrieve a magical artifact and defeat the evil rulers of a kingdom. At first sight, Dark Crystal adheres to the trail. However, the story is really about striking a balance between good and evil rather than destroying your enemies. There is no war, no final duel, no direct conflict between Jen and Skeksis. The hero’s mission is to reforge the Crystal of Truth, heal the lands, and force the Skeksis to take their destined place in the world order. Briefly, Dark Crystal it’s not about swinging a sword to solve your problems, it’s about correcting the mistakes of the past while realizing that even the most violent creatures have their reasons for existing. It is a message that calls for reconciliation rather than mutual destruction, a moral moment that remains relevant today.

Fantasy continues to struggle with the genre’s gratuitous brutality, and several attempts have been made to create more difficult enemies that make it harder for the hero to kill everything they see. While the simplicity of good versus evil has its charm and can still be welcomed in some media, it’s also nice to discover a fantasy setting where everything isn’t so black and white, even though the story follows the familiar rhythms available for the whole family. . For this reason, Dark Crystal still feels fresh even after four decades – a rare feat in filmmaking.

Rating: AND-