SSteinberg.SoftArts@MIT-MULTICS (12/29/82)
I can't believe that Freedman even saw the movie...his review was so full of mistatements and crocks. 1. Aughra was female. Was I the only one who noticed her sagging, braless breasts? 2. Aughra only showed the "planetarium" (actually, according to her, "universarium" would fit better) to Jen. Kira didn't even show up until later. 3. The Garthim were more lobsters than roaches (obviously, Freedman does not live anywhere near the east coast, where such a parallel would be hard to miss). 4. Jen and Kira, atop landstriders, ATTACKED the Garthim, they weren't CHASED by them. They went in to free a basket full of Podpeople. (PS to moderator, I don't think this constitutes anywhere near a spoiler). Beyond anger at a reviewer who doesn't even pay attention to the movie: I thought Dark Crystal was one of the most fascinating movies I have ever seen, visually (akin to Bladerunner that way). The plot is thin....you see one quest, you've seen them all. Of all the characters, our heros (the Gelflings) are the weakest. They show little facial expression and have some of the dumbest dialogue going. The Skeksis, on the other hand, were immensely interesting. As in the movie "Popeye", there is an AWFUL lot going on during scenes with the Skeksis, mutterings and imprecations and discussions and other interesting stuff (including somebody saying "What the bloody hell?" in one scene...can you find it?). These made it worth going back to a second time (I have seen it twice in two days....) Just to WATCH, this movie is worth sitting through a dull plot. There are great things wandering around all over, and lots of little details to pay attention to. And the world appears to be interally consistent (ecologically) as well! I highly recommend this movie to SEE. and SEE. and SEE. The more you look, the more you find worth watching. And it is the most texturally interesting movie I have ever watched.