Labyrinth – Blu-Ray Review

Labyrinth

Sarah (Jennifer Connelly) is a teenager who lives in a word of dreams, magic and fantasy. And this particular evening she is supposed to babysit her baby half brother, something she doesn’t really want to do. He is crying all the time and so Sarah tells him a story, a story whereby she will wish him away to the Goblin King Jareth (David Bowie). Unbeknownst to her the words she uses awakens a horde of muppets…erm I mean Goblins as they along with Jareth whip the child away as she recites the magic words. Confronted by Jareth she decides that she needs the get Toby (The Baby) back and so the oh-so-fearsome Goblin king gives her 13 hours to get through the Labyrinth after which the baby will become his and live in the castle forever. As time slips by Sarah enters the maze and meets across a plethora of different characters, some who help and some who hinder her way to the Goblin Kings castle.

If I told you that this movie was directed by Jim Henson of The Muppets fame you will probably understand exactly what this film is like and to whom it is aimed and so anyone who remembers the muppets and that silly humour would warm to the concept. Although it has to be said that it was an overwhelming failure at the box office on release, and only over the years has it earned a bit of a cult following. Personally I remember it as an entertaining movie that was typically watched on a Sunday afternoon and before the disc went in I was wondering if it had held its charm like The Goonies which I watched again recently.

Sadly the answer was no.

I think that there are a few reasons for this. Let’s look at the two actors. Jennifer Connelly was a young teenager when this was made in 1986, I believe this was her 4th movie and so she was still finding her feet as an actress. Bowie of course is an iconic Rock musician and Henson’s first choice to play the Goblin king, he also wanted Bowie to do the soundtrack and I think that we can see one of the main issues with the film right there, Inexperience on the part of both parties. Connelly’s lines seem forced and wooden in places, especially at the beginning of the film. And Bowie looks and sounds decidedly awkward doing pretty much everything that doesn’t involve singing. And these things are very much apparent in this movie when watched today.

Image from Standard DVD Release

The other reason was the length, it was an immense chore for me getting through to the end and seemed infinitely longer than the (approx) 100 minute running time and I will admit to being more than slightly relieved when the credits started to roll. I wonder if toddlers and small kids who may still enjoy this movie today will bored and wander off.

There are some nice touches to the movie; for the most part the special effects are quite good. There were a couple of scenes were you could tell that the background was a matte painting but overall the production values were pretty good and that certainly holds the film in good stead. The “good” characters are also quite endearing. Ludo who reminded me in many ways of Sully from Monsters Inc would be a favourite amongst youngsters. Initially looking quite scary he is soon shown to be a big softie. Didymus whom is a manic, hyperactive character in an energetic little fella who likes to pick fights way above his station; his humour gets a little tedious but generally he is the punch to Ludo’s Judy and Hoggle who when you analyse it is your worst type of person to have as a friend as he wants to be good, but his “fear” of the Goblin king often leads him to betray you. Although in the end we see his heart is in the right place.

But apart from these characters and the special effects the film was a bit of a miss for me, and it didn’t play out as I remembered it all those years ago. Something to watch out for though is a cameo from Yoda? Don’t believe me? Just check out the character that seems like a woman with a ton of items on her back. Its Yoda with a wig on, I swear.

Image from Standard DVD Release

Audio/Visual
My AMP doesn’t play HD specific audio steams so I had to listen to it Dolby Digital 5.1 and it was pretty good, dialogue and soundtrack came across as clear and concise from the front array, although I cannot remember any specific stand out audio from the surrounds. Picture wise the studio will be pleased with the transfer with a movie that is over 20 years old the details are nice and the colours seem natural and balanced.

Special features:

There are five extra features to tuck into on the disc. I think the best of these is “Inside the labyrinth, making of documentary” The “storytellers picture in picture” is just an occasional commentary speaking about the film in general whereas the “Commentary with Brian Froud” is ok in that it imparts a fair bit of information but it all seemed quite dull and monotone to me. The other features are “Journey through the labyrinth”,” kingdom of characters” and “Journey through the labyrinth, the quest for goblin city”

Overall:
I do not think that the film has aged well; unsuccessful when released I think I now understand why. It is too long and the dialogue was bad in places although I appreciate that toddlers may like it (if they have the patience to sit through it). But for me it took all me will power not to throw it into the Bog of Eternal Stench.

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