By Melissa Antoinette Garza
This is a bonafide classic. Here, we have the genius of Jim Henson, Frank Oz, David Bowie and Jennifer Connolly all wrapped up in a musical fantasy filled with puppets and wondrous creatures. What is not to love about this film? I cannot trust someone who doesn’t like LABYRINTH (1986).
The movie begins with Sarah (Jennifer Connelly), a 16 year old girl, who is artistic, creative and has built a For those who have never seen this masterpiece, it begins with the artistic and very creative Sarah (Jennifer Connelly), who is angry at her stepmother (Shelley Thompson) for having to babysit her baby brother, Toby (Toby Froud).
She tells a tale to Toby about how the Goblin King loves her and how he granted her the power to wish her brother away. She wishes for the goblins to do so, but is genuinely shocked when she goes to check on him and he’s gone.
Little does she know, Jareth, The Goblin King (David Bowie)is real. He sends the goblins to kidnap the child and then fabulously reveals himself in her window. She begs him to return Toby, but the baby is already gone. When she won’t back down and demands her brother back, Jareth brings her to his dimension. She is shown a Labyrinth in front of his castle and is told that she has 13 hours to solve it or the baby remains there forever.
Along the way she meets all sorts of fascinating creatures. As the soundtrack to this fantasy is done by David Bowie, the music is brilliant and amazing and everything one could ask for.
Like many, LABYRINTH was a film that meant the world to me when I was a kid. I was 7 when it came out, and by that time I already loved things that were odd. I watched reruns of THE MONKEES, DRAGNET and THE BEATLES cartoons in the mornings and then weekend afternoons sit thru horror movies that were completely inappropriate for my age. The point is I liked things that were on very extreme opposing sides and were not popular at the time I enjoyed them I loved either the tame, silly and musical or the dark, haunting and exciting. I am always blown away and eternally grateful to those mad geniuses who brilliantly bring all these elements together into one production.
That’s what we have with LABYRINTH. It’s fun and whimsical and strange and bizarre. The special effects are incredible. The amount of imagination, talent and dedication put into the puppets and characters astounds to this day. This is the type of film that makes one hate CGI.
Everyone in the cast does a phenomenal job. The supporting cast and voice actors are memorable and keep the story flowing. They are a huge reason this film is still remembered to this day.
It should go without saying that the leads are incredible. Connelly perfectly portrays the brash teenage coming-of-age story. Sarah is sympathetic and kind. Anyone who had younger siblings can understand her youthful frustration, and anyone with a healthy imagination and a tendency to daydream can appreciate the way in which time gets away.
Then, there is David Bowie. Is it enough to say that a healthy size of my age demographic has a Goblin King fetish? And I completely GET that! Completely!! If my hubby came home dressed like the Goblin King, I’d be smiling for WEEKS! Everything about Bowie is flawless. His wardrobe, his hair, his voice and the small fact that he’s David FUCKING Bowie just pushes this already great film over the top.
LABYRINTH is, in line, with the likes of ALICE IN WONDERLAND (1951)WIZARD OF OZ (1939) and THE DARK CRYSTAL (1982), only it has Bowie……..so it’s better.
I can’t suggest this one enough. Though, it isn’t streaming anywhere for free, purchasing it thru any of the VOD options is pretty cheap.
Scared Stiff Rating: 9/10
