Fantasy flicks # 1

Today we start a new discussion, Fantasy films and there continued growth in Hollywood. This next flick is entitled Labyrinth a family friendly live action movie entwined with puppets and produced by the best in the business Jim Henson. The film stars David Bowie as the Goblin King and a young Jennifer Connelly as the maiden in distress on the look out for her baby brother, Toby.

This 1986 movie is loved by many and panned by critics, the premise is simple enough young Sara is constantly called on to babysit as her father and stepmother go out one stormy evening. Sara is a troubled teen still missing her deceased mother and she escapes her troubles by reading and acting out fairy tales. As the baby cries and sobs uncontrollably Sara finds it easy to call out on the Goblin King to take her brother away, unbeknownst to her actual goblins are listening in on her rant as she calls them out.

The heroine puts her brother down in his crib and one last time properly asks the question to take her brother away, as she turns off the light the crying suddenly stops. It seems the goblins were waiting for just the right saying and they take the baby away to the land of Labyrinth. The Goblin king gives Sara 13 hours to find her little brother before the baby turns into a goblin.

The following events get stranger the closer Sara gets to the kings castle, along the way she meets some of Henson’s productions most beloved characters such as, Hoggle a lovable gnome like fellow who helps her along the way or does he. We quickly are treated to some classic Bowie produced songs, yes songs sung and danced by the goblin king and his flunkies. They really work for this type of film as the mood is lighthearted and fun with some awesome puppetry along the way. One such creature is a Little worm with a British accent that invites our Sara to a “nice cup of tea with the misses”, where she would fit in it’s house is unknown, but that’s the fun.

As time winds down and she gets closer to her brother the king throws obstacles all the way thru to the end including at one point a drugging and hallucination sequence so beautifully played and sang by Bowie it still ranks as one of my favorites. The puppets are all larger than life with the great Ludo making a appearance midway, apparently a rock caller he quickly becomes a valuable ally to Sara. As she gets to the gates of the city she must complete the remaining journey by herself with no help from her friends.

The film ends with some trippy visuals such as an Escher type room where Sara runs to save her baby brother all while we find out the Goblin King is in love with her. She finally utters the correct words to free her brother and she is magically transported back to her room.

Again, I blog for movies that don’t just rely on Oscar worthy moments, I blog for old school and next, new school. Sadly the great Jim Henson has left us and in some way this is a tribute to him, including some stuff such as The Muppet’s, FraggleRock and, I’m going ways back, Emmit Otters Christmas! But, I digress newbies check this one out, and play it for the ladies, they’ll think your soft and stuff. End of line.