Just watched it again for the second time …
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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — Labyrinth
rockmt — 9 years ago(May 29, 2016 07:02 PM)
Just as the first time, the movie was enjoyable overall and I'd watch it again if given the chance. Still, I cringe at the scenes and devices that I feel serve as a reminder as to why the movie sank when first released 30 odd years ago:
- The musical scores were silly. In as much that David Bowie (may he rest in peace) is a talented musician (Ziggy Stardust is still playing in my head), I could do without his absurd dancing and prancing in this movie. The movie would have been just as good if better without it. I know this goes against the thoughts of an overwhelming number of other fans who feel that the movie would have been long forgotten without Bowie's performance but that really is my forthright opinion. Perhaps the music should have been more New Age than New Romantic which really isn't my favorite genre.
- The scene with the Fireys was really silly. I didn't like the score in this scene the first time and I still don't this time around. I know that Jim Henson really loves his puppets and I respect him for that but interjecting a scene that looked like it better belong with the Muppets into a somber movie really took away from it.
- The commercial aspects were just overdone. Teaming up with an award winning producer, employing a famous script writer, and casting a rock star was all supposed to contribute to something grandiose but it all fell flat. Henson is arguably most famous for Sesame Street and the Muppets and he probably want to combine some of the family friendly humor from those projects into a darker movie but in so doing he confused the identity of the movie.
Now the things that keep me wanting to watch the movie over and over again: - The story line is timeless. A saga of guilt and redemption, this movie more than ever teaches the lesson of being careful of what one wishes for and is a powerful coming of age story that all generations would appreciate.
- The character of Sarah Williams: The way Sarah gradually turns from a selfish and whiny brat into a loving and responsible older sister is memorable. You can even detect signs of maternal maturity in her at the end of the movie. To me, Sarah's character and the story line are the most important things to remember about this movie.
- The action scenes are somewhat reminiscent of Star Wars, Flash Gordon, Indiana Jones, and even the Goonies, movies and movie series from the same period that I love.
- Jennifer Connelly's portrayal of Sarah Williams. Others argue that Connelly sank the movie but I'd rather say it was Bowie that sank the movie. She was only 14 at the time and so her acting was more wooden than later in life but Connelly pretty much held her own here. It's really kind of unfair that she doesn't get the credit deserved from later fans.
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alatartblue — 9 years ago(November 18, 2016 03:04 PM)
Having just seen the movie for the first time, I thought the pacing was a little messy and the resolution not very clear I still have no idea what it was that Jareth really wanted in the end.
But, being a massive David Bowie fan, my biggest problem with this movie is that it was made during Bowie's worst period, and boy does it show. While I did enjoy his performance, the songs he contributed to the movie were just well let's say they're far from his best work. Okay, Underground and Magic Dance are alright, and Chilly Down also sounds like I might enjoy it in a version done by Bowie himself (I haven't been able to get my hands on the soundtrack yet, so I've only heard the songs as played in the movie), but even in his dreadful mid-eighties period, Bowie wrote several songs that are infinitely better. Of course, the songs don't ruin the movie (I still enjoyed it and would watch it again), but they were kind of disappointing, especially since David Bowie was the main reason I watched it.
But your assessment of the movie is pretty much spot on.
Good movie overall, 6/10.
