Customer Reviews
A classic TO-GO!! 
2008-05-03
I love this movie and it brings fond childhood memories back to the fore...
It has David Bowie - Jim Henson Muppets - fun songs!
Hey, it puts a smile on my face when I watch it :D
Goblin King! Goblin King! Wherever you may be take this child of mine far away from me! 2008-04-13
A Fantastical Quest Through the Labyrinth of Time. This Henson/Lucas production isn't quite what you'd expect from these legendary directors. Somehow, it's better.
The genius of Henson and Lucas shines brightly as Jennifer Connelly and David Bowie perpetuate this wonderful tale of fantasy written by Dennis Lee and Jim Henson. Henson's son, Brian (now the head of the Henson Empire), even gets in on the act as the voice of Hoggle.
The story opens in the present, this world, this plane. Sarah (Connelly) is a spoiled rotten little drama queen who thinks she is the center of the universe and the sun around which the world revolves.
In a brattish fit of colossal immaturity, she stumbles upon the correct words to summon Jareth the Goblin King (Bowie) to take her little brother to the Goblin Realm.
Once done; however, she realizes how angry her parents will be and decides that it's more prudent to go "rescue" Toby rather than allow his assimilation into the Goblin fold.
Jareth gives her 13 hours in which to find her way through an impossible labyrinth, fight her way through the Goblin City, and puzzle out the staircases of the Goblin Castle and save her half-brother.
She is punished for arrogance, beguiled in her naivety, confused in her indecision and imprisoned for her quick, thoughtless decisions. "That's not FAIR!" is one of her most used and best delivered lines; used again and again, until it FINALLY sinks in that life just isn't fair.
It is a warm, funny and enriching tale, once started. It's about growing up, accepting responsibility for your actions and choices and making them more wisely in the beginning, rather than cleaning up your messes as you go along.
In the end, Sarah realizes all the infantile tantrums and childish toys are nothing but detritial remains of her otherwise out-lived childhood. She begins to stumble upon the reality that the important things are family, friends, and the responsibility that comes with making mature decisions. She throws away her immaturity and child-like selfishness to save her brother and thereby sets her feet back on the right path to adulthood and maturity.
It's a wonderful "coming of age" movie, and perfect for its target audience: girls 9-13. But I must say that children and adults alike love this movie, worldwide. It's not ONLY for girls, but for anyone who loves fantasy. This movie is far superior to what most consider to be your standard "Muppet Movie." It's one of my favorites.
Childhood Favorite 2008-04-05
This movie was one of my childhood favorites and I'm so glad it was available on DVD. I consider this movie one of the classics and was happy to add it to my library of movies. For anyone with young kids who has NOT seen this movie, I would reccommend it highly.
A timeless coming of age story, with great music! 2008-03-26
Growing up I watched my mom gave me movies that I watched over and over. Movies like "The Princess Bride", "The Wizard of Oz", "Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory", and of course "Labirynth". Unfortunately, Labirynth was one of those movies that I did not not watch at all between the ages of six and twnety. I remembered enjoying it a lot as a young child, but would I enjoy it now that I was twenty?
The interesting thing about Labyrinth is that it not just a children's movie. It has elements of a childrens movie, but it is so much more than that.
The story revolves around Sarah (Jennifer Connelly), a sixteen year old girl who is tired of watching her baby brother on the weekends and spends her free time acting out plays. So, one night after an argument with her stepmother, she runs into her room only to find her favorite teddy bear missing, blames it on her brother and wishes he were gone. Only this time, by chance, she gives the command to let the goblins take her brother away only to regret it immediately. After that it becomes a story of friendship, the power of imagination, faith, and the differences between a girl and woman.
The puppets and the premise make it sound like a mere children's fairy tale, and although it is entertaining for children, it has proven itself worthy for the collection of adults as well. The characters are fun and our heroine is whiney and obnoxious at first, but quickly realizes that life isn't fair, and that's the way it is. She struggles to save her brother so he wont be a goblin forever, at the same time struggling with whether or not she'd like to become the goblin queen. You would think that someone as thin and British as David Bowie wouldn't be so attractive in this role, but he is. I couldn't imagine anyone else in the role. He is very campy, but there is a delicate balance between an unreasonable villain and a man trying to win a woman's heart in the best way he knows; power.
The music written by Bowie is first rate and truly elevates the movie to a level it wouldn't have reached otherwise. Especially, "As the World Falls Down", which is one of the best sequences in the film. Overall, if you love fairytales that are a little more grown up, you will love Labirynth (as long as you don't hate David Bowie).
God Bless ~Amy
Great Movie 2008-02-29
This was a DVD replacement for my old VHS. It is a classical favorite of my kids, great nieces, and all their friends. The puppetry is amazing, characters lovable, and scenery delightful.
Henson's best, and Bowie, too! A must-see for kids 7 to 107. 2008-05-30
Henson and Bowie created something unique in their lifetimes here. Even if you are not a fan of Henson's Sesame Street/ Muppet work, you may be amazed by this movie, which is sublime beyond any comparison to the rest of his career. If your kids are bored, this will unbore them many times over and you'll love it too. Bowie's music is superlative and his supporting role as the bad guy is fantastic.
The Labrinth 
2008-05-19
The DVD case came with a corner chiped out, and the CD had some crusty stuff on it that I had to clean off. There was a chip in the DVD and art was faded. None of these conditions were noted on the description of the product. It played well until 5 minutes to the end and it froze. I wouldn't of bought this had I of known of the condition of the case and DVD.
All-Time Favorite 2008-05-13
This movie has been and remains my favorite movie of all time. I was about Sarah's age when it came out and my quite young mom (34) had just passed away, so my ability to relate to the character was incredible - see Deborah MacGillivray's review, she really nails the emotion/feeling of the film (and YES I DID want that dress!! LOL). It's a really sweet, imaginative (how could anything Jim Henson did not be?), heartwarming story that shows us there is love, friendship and a reason to be no matter how much our 'world falls down'. Give it a look, you'll be glad you did :)
Labyrinth 2008-05-12
A really good children's tale all be it, as most of the best ones are,quite dark. But then, the original Grimm's fairy tales were very dark ( hence, the apellation of "grim" as used today). Recommended for kids and adults alike.
The Magic of Jim Henson & the Music of David Bowie 
2008-05-09
Labyrinth was the second fantasy film directed by Muppet creator Jim Henson. Though the tone of this film is not as dark as its predecessor, The Dark Crystal, it has become a classic in its own right.
Jennifer Connelly (in an early role) stars as Sarah, an imaginative teenager who when left to baby-sit her infant brother, calls upon the goblins of her favorite story to take him away. But when the goblins do she is forced to defy the Goblin King, Jareth, who is superbly played by David Bowie. In order to retrieve her baby brother she must venture deep into a magical labyrinth. There she encounters Hoggle, a curmudgeonly dwarf who begrudgingly helps her on her quest. She also befriends host of other memorable characters including Ludo, a giant hairy behemoth and Sir Didymus, a valiant knight who happens to be a two-and-a-half foot tall and one-eyed dog. She also meets a talking worm that steals the picture for the few moments he's on screen.
The story deals with delicate subject matter, mainly what it means to grow from a girl into a woman, but it manages to do so in a sensitive, fun and entertaining way. And the music by David Bowie helps to keep things light. Monty Python's Terry Jones wrote the screenplay and this results in the film's comedic tone. But what really makes this cult classic so unique is the wizardry of Jim Henson's team of puppeteers and special effects designers. The production design is also inspired and even award worthy.
The film is a must-have for fans of fantasy films or Jim Henson.
I also highly recommend the soundtrack (Labyrinth: From The Original Soundtrack Of The Jim Henson Film).
