The Labyrinth of Jim Henson's Mind
© Evelyn Keys
Another of Jim Henson's triumphs of cinematography. The Labyrinth
It's a quirky tale from beginning to end, with a myriad of wonderful puppets and characters. David Bowie stars in this film as the mysterious and cruel Goblin King. He resides in the goblin castle among a mob of motley goblins.
Goblins of mythology have often been blamed for the stealing of children. This story works by expanding on, and making real this myth. Bowie is a magnificent Goblin king, with hair and makeup that are uniquely Bowie. This was role that Bowie in the peak of his career was most suited to.
Sarah played by a beautiful Jennifer Connelly, is a dreamy imaginative girl. She dreams of far off worlds, and fantasy scenarios. Her love of fantasy sees her reciting a book, in which the goblin king steals a girls child, in the park. We find her family life isn't sweet. Sarah resents having to mind her baby brother.
While railing at fate which has seen her left at home looking after the baby, she rashly wishes that the goblin king would take the child away.
As soon as the words leave her lips, her world is turned upside down, and she must seek out the Goblin King and take back the child he has stolen.
Here begins Sarah's journey through the surprising, strange, and oft times bizarre labyrinth is the focus of this film. Sarah must make her way through the labyrinth within a given time or else lose all hope of getting her brother Toby, back.
The characters in this a magically crafted and excellently portrayed. They have amazing depths, and although are not human they have amazingly human qualities.
Sarah meets many strange individuals along the way, all of whom are unique. Many of these characters are delightfully humorous. With quick wits and clever lines they never cease to entertain. Not least is the Goblin King's whose lines oscillate between grave and witty.
Bowie also provides the film with a musical soundtrack, which although dated is nonetheless magnificently suited. Some tracks are quirky and some entirely serious.
The maze is the focus of the film, and similarly it is the films' most endearing quality. However the final scene in the goblin castle is stunning. The room is reminiscent of Escher. Construction on this substantial set must have been literally amazing, especially given the time the film was made.
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