Today I’m going to review another one of my favorite films, Jim Henson’s, The Dark Crystal.
In this film Jim Henson has imagined an entirely new world. Not only does he create new races of beings—the evil Skeksis, the calm Mystics, the persevering Gelflings--he creates in this film a new planet, an entirely new ecosystem, Thra: its the flora, its fauna, its lifeforms.
There’s something about the “materiality” of these effects that imbue the film with a kind of authenticity, a kind of authenticity the best CGI couldn’t garner.
Jim Henson’s new creations—his novums, if you will--are related through artistic puppets and amazing set designs. I want to talk about them all, but I’m going to limit myself to a few highlights.
The villains of the film, the Skeksis, made such an impression on me as a young kid, and still do. Half-buzzard, half insect, beady eyes, decadent clothing: they suggest dark sorcery and decaying empires.
The main villain, the Chamberlain of the dead emperor (his name is skekSil), was my favorite Skeksi. He was one of those villains you loved to hate. He has this strange little verbal tick. In a high pitched voice he moans, “Mmmmmmm,…” which suggests he thinking. He does this throughout the film, and you come to both love and hate it.
There’s another character, Aughra, a kind of “Yoda-ish” oracle lady who helps the main character understand his fate. She is of some indeterminate race; but she has these buggy eyes and this crazy hair that always stirred me. And her gravely voice and lyrical dialog gives her a genuine authority.
There’s a scene in the film, in Aughra’s astrological laboratory, where she’s explaining “the Great Conjunction” to the protagonist; and there’s this huge model of the many planets and their courses. It’s an amazing sculpture! And you have to remind yourself—that’s not CGI! Someone built that.
Other parts of the film showcase the artistic power of Jim Henson’s studios. There’s one scene when the protagonist stumbles upon an ancient ruin of his race, the Gelflings, and there are bas-relief sculptures on a ruined wall depicting their fraught history (spoiler: all the Gelflings, aside from the two main characters, have had their souls sucked out by the Skeksis). The detail here is astounding. All the vegetation, the water running down the stone, the weeds: all of it is “artificial,” the artistic creation of a studio.
That’s why I think this film is a masterpiece: you immerse yourself in this world and begin to believe in it, and forget that all of those things, those creatures, all of those trees, living plants, natural vistas—they are all artificial creations. Sculptures. Puppets.
In this fantasy film, Jim Henson and company have--as much as anyone can hope to do--created a "secondary world".
Interesting observation. I love this line: "There’s something about the “materiality” of these effects that imbue the film with a kind of authenticity..." That's something that I find in the best writing ... a connection with the material world that seems legitimate, regardless of whether it's set in a small southern town or an imaginary world. It's the depiction of setting in a way that makes me believe the author was there, that makes me feel as if I'm there, that goes a long way to letting me sink into the story. I've been fascinated with the role and function of setting in fiction since I discovered some writings about how important this was to H. P. Lovecraft. Thanks for this example.
ReplyDeleteYeah! I agree! I think the effect of "wonder" that characterizes the weird genres--fantasy, horror, science-fiction--emerges from the juxtaposition of the "immanent" and the "spiritual".
ReplyDeleteI was actually lucky enough to meet Brian Froud, the concept artist for this film at Faerie Worlds in Eugene Oregon... It was a total blast and he was super cool. I asked him about Dark Crystal 2 and he said, "were working on some stuff"... this was several years ago though.
ReplyDeleteHoly #$%@! I didn't know they were making a sequel! I knew there were manga versions that extended the story, but I didn't know there were plans for a new movie. Sweet. That sounds awesome, being able to meet Mr. Froud.
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