The Dark Crystal Blu-ray Review
Score: 72
from 3 reviewers
Review Date:
The Dark Crystal shines with timeless charm, inventive puppetry, and strong storytelling.
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Disc Release Date
Dolby TrueHD
Video: 72
The Dark Crystal's Blu-ray release impresses with vibrant colors, enhanced depth, and clear details, despite minor flaws due to its age.
Audio: 65
The Dark Crystal's Dolby TrueHD 5.1 soundtrack offers clear, authentic audio with limited surround sound, excelling in front channel clarity and faithful to the original, despite its vintage constraints.
Extra: 68
The Dark Crystal Blu-ray enchants with comprehensive extras: Brian Froud's insightful commentary, a deep-dive making-of documentary, interactive features like The Book of Thra and SkekTek's Challenge, and unique glimpses into the film's original language and deleted scenes.
Movie: 73
'The Dark Crystal' masterfully blends Jim Henson's creativity and intricate puppetry in a dark, captivating fantasy world, highlighted by timeless storytelling and rich visuals.
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Video: 72
Sony's Blu-ray release of "The Dark Crystal" garners a robust 1080p, 2.35:1-framed transfer that dramatically enhances the visual complexity and depth of the film's fantastical world. Garnering a MPEG-4 AVC encoding, the transfer flourishes in rendering the vibrant tapestry of the film's palette with precision, particularly showcasing stronger, more vivid colors. The deeper reds of the Skeksis' robes, the pastel mystique of the Mystics, and the verdant hues of the film's lavish landscapes are rendered with fidelity, ensuring that each frame is drenched in visual splendor. The integrity of the film's grain structure is preserved, accentuating its cinematic texture while minor instances of white dots and potential edge enhancement do little to distract from the overall stellar presentation.
Detail and clarity receive a noteworthy boost, moving to 1080p resolution. The intricate detailing of the puppets, costumes, and set pieces such as Aughra's planetarium or the decaying grandeur of the Skeksis' attire is sharply defined. However, this enhanced resolution also unforgivingly reveals some of the production's limitations, such as the visibility of puppeteering strings and occasional softness in the transfer. Nevertheless, these elements do not detract significantly from the viewing experience, instead offering a transparent view into the film’s intricate craftsmanship.
Depth and black levels particularly benefit from this high-definition upgrade. Scenes exhibit a palpable sense of dimensionality, whether exploring the foreboding corridors of the Skeksis' castle or traversing the lush environments outside. While blacks are improved, offering better shadow detail than previous versions, they sometimes lack consistency. Despite these minor issues, Sony's Blu-ray transfer represents a significant improvement over earlier home video editions, ensuring that "The Dark Crystal" shines like never before for both long-time aficionados and newcomers alike.
Audio: 65
The audio section of "The Dark Crystal" Blu-ray edition, featuring a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack, presents an experience that is true to its roots while providing a substantial improvement over previous formats. Reviewers have noted that while the surround sound component is somewhat underwhelming, with limited activity and immersion in the rear channels, the front soundstage delivers with clarity and detailing that significantly enhances the viewing experience. The film's score, though slightly limited in dynamic range and fullness compared to newer soundtracks, still manages to convey the enchanting essence of the movie's universe. Dialogue is crisp and clear, ensuring that characters' voices, from Jen's gentle whispers to Aughra's grizzled utterances, are distinct and well integrated within the mix.
Considering the film's original sound design, it appears no attempts were made to artificially inflate the aural landscape beyond its authentic scope. This restraint has preserved the soundtrack's integrity, offering a presentation that excels in authenticity and clarity, particularly across the frontal speakers. Ambient sounds and character interactions are rendered with good detail, contributing to a well-balanced mix. The score by Trevor Jones retains its nostalgic charm, underpinning the film's atmospheric settings with warmth, albeit with acknowledged limitations in vigour. The low-frequency effects (LFE) provide sufficient support during action sequences, adding depth without overwhelming the track's overall balance.
Although "The Dark Crystal" may not showcase the surround sound capabilities used in modern productions, its audio presentation on Blu-ray stands as a testament to preserving and enhancing the original sensory experience. The lack of aggressive rear channel use and limited LFE presence are noted as drawbacks characteristic of its age and original production methods. However, these aspects do not detract significantly from the overall quality of the soundtrack. Instead, they underscore a careful upgrade that respects the source material, combining improved clarity and detail with a faithful adherence to the film's originally intended auditory vision.
Extra: 68
The Blu-ray presentation of "The Dark Crystal" extras offers an enriching deep dive into the film's creation and lore, efficiently preserving the essence of its legacy while introducing innovative features. Highlighted by Brian Froud's technical commentary, the disc delves into the conceptual design and evolution of this unique storytelling medium, supported by vivid storyboard and concept artwork via the Picture-in-Picture track. The immersive "Book of Thra" and "SkekTek's Crystal Challenge" game integrate interactivity directly into the viewing experience. Historical insights are plentiful in the making-of documentary, featuring contemporaneous interviews and behind-the-scenes footage that illuminate the collaborative genius of Jim Henson's team. Additionally, the exploration of original Skeksis language in test scenes adds a fascinating layer to the film's world-building. This collection is exceptionally curated, ensuring both newcomers and long-standing fans understand and appreciate the groundbreaking work involved in bringing "The Dark Crystal" to life.
Extras included in this disc:
- Audio Commentary with Brian Froud: Insightful recollections from the film's Conceptual Designer.
- Storyboard Track -- Picture-in-Picture: A showcase of conceptual artwork by Brian Froud and others.
- The Book of Thra -- Dark Crystal Collector: An interactive feature for collecting in-film objects.
- SkekTek's Crystal Challenge: A trivia game that overlays the film.
- Original Skeksis Language -- Test Scenes: Rare footage introducing the concept of original languages.
- Deleted Funeral Scenes: Provides a glimpse into a cut sequence.
- The World of 'The Dark Crystal' Documentary: A detailed making-of documentary filmed during production.
- Reflections of 'The Dark Crystal': A two-part series examining the film’s legacy, themes, and puppetry.
- BD-Live functionality: Access to additional online content.
Movie: 73
The Dark Crystal, a pioneering marvel of the early '80s, manifests the unparalleled imagination and creativity of Jim Henson, seamlessly merging with Trevor Jones' compelling score and Brian Froud's captivating conceptual art. This film is not merely a narrative but an expansive, immersive experience into a world where darkness and light, decay and rebirth exist in a delicate balance. Its story, while straightforward in its exploration of good versus evil, thrives on the intricacies of its execution—delivering a fantastical journey through the eyes of the Gelfling, Jen, tasked with restoring harmony to a divided world. The richness of the setting and characters, underscored by a palpable sense of danger and the unyielding quest for justice, affirms The Dark Crystal's stature as a landmark in family fantasy, remarkable for retaining its thematic depth and visual allure decades after its release.
Remarkably, this cinematic venture into the world of Thra is brought to life through pioneering puppetry and animatronics, setting a benchmark for storytelling that relies heavily on practical effects over CGI. The meticulous craftsmanship behind each character contributes to their believability and enduring appeal, from the malevolent Skeksis to the benevolent Mystics and the resilient Gelflings—Jen and Kira. Their physical embodiments, accompanied by haunting voice performances, resonate with audiences, bridging the gap between the fantastical and the real. This ensures that The Dark Crystal's moral and thematic undertones are as impactful today as they were at the time of its release, challenging viewers to immerse themselves in its intricately detailed universe.
With its Blu-ray presentation, The Dark Crystal undergoes a transformation that not only honors Henson's original vision but also accentuates it with stunning audiovisual clarity. The film's timeless narrative, combined with its visual innovation and thematic complexity, resonates with both older audiences revisiting the film and new viewers discovering it for the first time. Its success on Blu-ray underscores the enduring legacy of Henson's work and The Dark Crystal's significant place within the cinematic pantheon—serving as a reminder of the power of storytelling when augmented by genuine innovation and creative courage.
Total: 72
"The Dark Crystal" Blu-ray re-release offers audiences a nostalgic journey back into Jim Henson and Frank Oz's most celebrated collaboration. The film itself, a classic tale of light versus dark, simplicity against corruption, remains a testament to the power of storytelling with its richly conceived world and groundbreaking puppetry. Despite the decades, it sustains its capacity to fascinate, further elevated by the technological enhancements of high definition. The visual and audio quality, while not setting new standards for the format, faithfully respect the original’s artistic intent, presenting the film with clarity that accentuates its detailed environments and character designs, albeit with some limitations inherent to the era's technology.
The release shines not just in its main feature but also through an impressive assortment of bonus content that delights fans and newcomers alike. Extras range from behind-the-scenes documentaries to in-depth explorations of the film's creative process, adding significant value and insight into the making of this timeless piece. Although the puppetry may betray its age at times, with movements not always perfectly synchronized with dialogue, this quirk becomes part of its charm, reflecting the immense creativity and effort poured into its production. The inclusion of exclusive Blu-ray features provides a compelling reason for collectors and enthusiasts to add this to their library.
In conclusion, Sony’s Blu-ray edition of "The Dark Crystal" adeptly balances nostalgia with modern presentation standards, making it an essential addition to any collector's shelf. It respects the film’s legacy while enhancing its accessibility for today's audience through quality improvements and a generous supplementary package. This release not only highlights the enduring appeal of Henson and Oz's vision but also ensures that new generations can experience the magic and ingenuity of this cinematic gem in the best possible format.
avforums review by Chris McEneanyRead review here
Video: 80
Comparing this BD version to the older R2 Collector's Edition clearly shows that almost every element of the picture has more depth and detail, although this ends up being something of a mixed blessing...
Audio: 70
In fact, the frontal array has plenty of life and detail, with effects and voices stretched widely across it, and a pleasing sense of depth afforded the mix....
Extras: 80
Lots of the story's background is discussed and we get to see the evolution of the idea from sketch to prop-built puppet with a dedicated study of how the performers rehearsed and tested their cumbersome...
Movie: 80
Only the hairstyles smack of the 80's!With splendid AV quality - the image really does Henson's vision proud - and an engrossing and detailed roster of extra features, this release simply demands to be...
Total: 80
Blu-ray.com review by Martin LiebmanRead review here
Video: 80
The transfer never falters in any of these locations; it's not the most intricately detailed or handsome transfer out there, but for a movie that debuted in the early 1980s, it looks about as good as can...
Audio: 70
The film's score doesn't have the same absolute clarity and lifelike feel of the best Blu-ray soundtracks; it's a bit limited in range and clarity, but works well in conjunction with the overall Blu-ray...
Extras: 80
The World of 'The Dark Crystal' (480i, 57:26) is a vintage documentary that takes an extensive behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film, including the process of shooting the film, designing the...
Movie: 90
Even analyzing the film through the experiences of an adult but recalling the characters through the eyes of a child, the Skeksis and Garthim remain the stuff of nightmares, and that's what makes them...
Total: 80
From the hero of simple origins to the film's obvious light and dark motifs, there's never any doubt as to what the film represents and what it sets out to accomplish....
High-Def DigestRead review here
Video: 80
Yet taking into account the film's 1982 origins, along with the improved detail and image clarity, this is still a wholly spectacular transfer....
Audio: 60
This isn’t the most amazing surround sound experience you’re going to hear on a Blu-ray, but once again taking into account the source material, this is a solid presentation....
Extras: 60
The second part, Shard of Illusion , focuses mainly on the film’s puppets and puppeteers, and how the story of the film was built around having puppets as the stars....
Movie: 80
The puppets are extremely imaginative, and still to this day contain in them such a lifelike presence that it’s hard to think they were created decades ago....
Total: 80
Sure the puppets look a little dated and their mouths don’t move fully to the dialogue being spoken, but they still have that creative essence of Jim Henson....
Director: Jim Henson, Frank Oz
Actors: Jim Henson, Kathryn Mullen, Frank Oz
PlotIn another world, a mystical crystal is the source of balance and truth, its power ensuring harmony within the universe. However, during a great celestial event, the crystal becomes darkened and cracked, precipitating an age of chaos and division. The splintering of the crystal gives rise to two new races: the malevolent Skeksis, who become tyrannical rulers lusting for immortality, and the wise but feeble Mystics. Now, as the planet faces increasing decay and the dominion of the Skeksis continues unchallenged, a prophecy foretells that a Gelfling, an elf-like creature believed to be extinct by the hand of the Skeksis, will heal the crystal and restore balance.
Upon the death of his Mystic master, a young and naïve Gelfling named Jen is propelled into an epic quest to find the shard that can repair the Dark Crystal. Unaware of the larger forces at play, Jen is told that he must fulfill the prophecy before the Great Conjunction of the planet's three suns. Along his journey, he encounters Kira, another surviving Gelfling, who joins him on the perilous quest. Together, they face a world filled with strange creatures and daunting obstacles. Meanwhile, the Skeksis, aware of the prophecy, set out to stop Jen and ensure their reign remains unthreatened.
Writers: David Odell, Jim Henson
Release Date: 17 Dec 1982
Runtime: 93 min
Rating: PG
Country: United Kingdom, United States
Language: English