The Dark Crystal

"Henson has devised a luxuriantly original fantasy world (...) As narrative, the incidents in The Dark Crystal are unremarkable; as the excuse for special effects, fanciful decor and eccentric characters, they do nicely enough 

"[It] aims, I think, to be a sort of Muppet 'Paradise Lost' but winds up as watered down J.R.R. Tolkien (...) It's without charm as well as interest." 

"Besides being a dazzling technological and artistic achievement (...) [it] presents a dark side of Muppet creators Henson and Oz that could teach a lesson in morality to youngsters at the same time it is entertaining their parents." 

"A cute gimmick, but the puppets are so stiff and inexpressive that the film drops dead. The soundtrack is full of shrieking voices and unpleasant noises" 

"[It] remains a wonderfully crafted adventure from a simpler time. (...) even thirty years later I’m still impressed by the epic-ish scale, the dramatic intensity, and more than a few of the puppet designs." 

"25 years later, the fledgling video effects look awful, but the puppetry is still impeccably convincing, and the worlds retain their homemade, handcrafted, meticulously realized charm (...) Henson had an unequalled talent for crafting worlds" 

"A hippyish dreamlike movie that entirely succeeds as a children’s adventure (...) Well-paced and stunningly shot (…) Rating: ★★★★ (out of 5)"