Whether it be a watermill collecting water in the top right side of the shot or a myriad of supporting puppets dancing around a camp fire, these details help to bring the world to life and give The Dark Crystal far more character than it otherwise would. Every single frame of the film is brimming with interesting details, right down to minute, subtle elements in the background. I mentioned it earlier but The Dark Crystal is one of the most aesthetically pleasing films released in the 80’s. This attention to detail spills over to the costume design and even the mechanics of the puppets themselves, with working eyes and limbs that give each character a distinct personality. Shot entirely with puppets, make-up, miniatures and prosthetics, every part of the film embraces the techniques of old, and brings them to life in the best possible way. If there was ever an argument in favour of using practical effects, The Dark Crystal is it. Where Dark Crystal excels though is with everything else that works alongside the film to polish up the story, including some nice dialogue exchanges, a distinct lack of exposition late on and some lovely action set pieces to keep the pace from stagnating. It’s very standard fare and a lot of the plot beats match the Hero’s Journey archetype seen so often in these films. Plot-wise, there isn’t an awful lot here that differentiates The Dark Crystal from other fantasy stories. All of this builds to a climactic showdown that sees the fate of the world hanging in the balance. As Jen embarks on his quest, he comes across a whole host of colourful characters, including fellow Gelfling Kira, her pet Fizzgig and the mysterious old witch Aughra. A world fragmented in half, with Mystics banished to the shadows thanks to the tyrannical rule of the evil bird-like Skeksis.
At the heart of this is Jen, the last living Gelfling tasked by his Master to embark on a quest to find the missing shard of a magical crystal and restore order to the world. The story, much like many other fantasy titles, revolves around a prophecy. Brimming with intricate world building, realistic effects and an easy to follow story, Dark Crystal is certainly a hidden gem from the 80’s a film made with love and care that oozes charm during every minute of its run time. Having re-watched the film in preparation for The Dark Crystal’s prequel hitting Netflix, the film not only holds its own, it’s also a masterful example of scene composition and practical effects. The Dark Crystal is a film I remember watching as a child but couldn’t quite nail down all the plot beats all these years later.