The Dark Crystal (Blu-ray)

It’s an interesting experience having watched the much-hyped Avatar Day footage on Friday and then taken a look at The Dark Crystal Blu-ray on Saturday. It’s odd that despite 27 years, immense advances in special effects and technology, we don’t seem much that much further along in creating fantasy worlds that can completely transport the viewer.

As yet I don’t know how well James Cameron will be able to sell Avatar’s CG planet when he’s got an entire film to fill things out, but it’s odd that I still find it easier to get absorbed by some obviously man-made puppets and the universe Jim Henson created in 1982 than I was by the super-advanced, 3D, computer generated giant cat-smurfs of Avatar.

I think it has something to do with an audience’s subconscious reaction to CG. While there is a huge amount of artistry involved in well done computer generated images, there’s still something about physical effects that resonates with viewers. I think whether it’s fair or not, it’s easier to admire the skill and imagination that goes into something like The Dark Crystal, which allows you to overlook the fact that some of it looks a little fake and that it’s certainly not as technologically advanced as today’s entertainment, because of the immense skill, ingenuity and storytelling verve that’s visible in every shot.

It’s an admiration that runs even deeper when you start watching the features on the Blu-ray. While the documentaries and featurettes are the same as on the 25th Anniversary DVD, they’re a truly fascinating record of how the film was made and the five year odyssey to create puppets that moved in ways never seen before, all in entirely fabricated fantasy world – indeed it’s still the only film ever made that’s solely populated by physical puppets.

And it’s a wonderful world to enter, with the elf-like Gelflings, Jen and Kira, the only ones who can stop the evil Skeksis becoming the eternal rulers of the world. To do so they must find the shard of the Dark Crystal that broke off a thousand years before, and reunite it with its powerful source, restoring balance between the Skeksis and the peace-loving Mystics in the process.

It’s a wonderful movie, although it’s still rather intense for young kids, especially when the poor little podlings get their life force sucked out of them. The movie also looks very good on Blu-ray. While it’s not a perfect image – which you wouldn’t expect for a film of this age anyway – it’s a nice, sharp picture, with only occasional grain and a few moments where things get a little fuzzy. It’s certainly a decent step up from the DVD, with better colours and clarity, allowing you a far better view of the depth and beauty of the Dark Crystal world. The Dolby Digital TrueHD audio is also nice and sharp, although it’s a less noticeable change from the DVD.

There are also a few Blu-ray only features, although there’s only one thing that’s really worthwhile. There’s an underwhelming game that asks you questions about The Dark Crystal as you watch the movie, as well as the ‘Dark Crystal Collector’ where you pick up crystals during the film and then you can access the information they contain. Unfortunately this information is largely stuff you’d know just by watching the movie, which makes it kind of pointless. The final BD-only feature is a fascinating storyboard track that takes you deep into the character and world designs that Brian Froud created for the film. It’s beautiful artwork that plays alongside the movie to tell you more about how each part of the film came into existence.

Although I’m still more than prepared to be impressed by how James Cameron immerses us in the 3D world of Avatar, I can’t but wonder whether it’ll be as absorbing and transporting as Jim Henson’s more old-tech Dark Crystal, which is driven by massive imagination and ingenuity, as well as an impressive appreciation of joyous storytelling. And on this reasonably priced Blu-ray, it’s looking and sounding better than ever.

Overall Verdict: The Dark Crystal is still a wonderful and unique film, and the Blu-ray gives us the best picture quality yet for the film, along with some great features.

Special Features:
Storyboard Track Picture-In-Picture Feature
‘The Book Of Thra – Dark Crystal Collector’ Feature
‘SkekTek’s Crystal Challenge’ Game
Audio Commentary With Brian Froud
Original Skeksis Language Test Scenes
Deleted Funeral Scene
‘The World Of The Dark Crystal’ 1982 Documentary
‘Reflections Of The Dark Crystal’ Featurettes
BD-Live

Reviewer: Tim Isaac