Labyrinth
By: Cam Hall
Labyrinth, a fantasy/adventure film released in 1986, is one of many interesting creations by the ever so brilliant Jim Henson. The film tells the story of a young teenage girl named Sarah (Jennifer Connelly), who has been reading a story/play book called (The) Labyrinth. Sarah hates her home life and all of the people in it, especially her little baby brother, named Toby. On one stormy night, while her two parents go out and leave her with the baby, Sarah wishes for the goblin king and his army of goblin henchmen (most likely in connection with the play she was reading) to come and take Toby away for her. This wish is then granted, with Toby mysteriously disappearing from their house and Sarah being visited by the goblin king (David Bowie), who tells her that Toby resides in his castle, at the center of a labyrinth. Sarah asks for him to return Toby to her house and that she really didn't mean anything by the wish she made. The goblin king, who goes by the name of Jareth, then gives her the chance to solve the labrynth and rescue her brother in the time frame of 13 hours. At one point, Sarah is transported to the magical fantasy world of the labyrinth and starts her quest to rescue Toby from the goblin king and his minions, while also trying to prevent him from becoming like one of them.
This film is truly an instant classic and should be recognized for its great musical store, characters, and settings. A great number of songs on the soundtrack were made and composed by David Bowie. People will enjoy the beat to his song "Magic Dance," a catchy tune that allows people to get up out of their seats and move around wherever they are. In addition, viewers will like Bowie's slow ballad song "As The World Falls Down," which allows them to picture themselves dancing slowly with a partner like they are at some grand ball dance of some sort. Another song by David Bowie that is played in the film is called "Underground," which talks about not always enjoying life and wanting to run away from what is given to you, something that everybody can connect to in one way or another.
The many characters in the film help to contribute to the film's maginificent appeal and entertainment purposes. The audience will fall in love with the ever so loyal Ludo. Ludo is a big beast who is very friendly and is able to summon large groups of rocks by bellowing and/or roaring loudly to help Sarah in her quest, throughout the film. Viewers will laugh at the ever so outrageous Sir Didymus and his canine dog pet Ambrosious. Sir Didymus proves to viewers that bravery comes in any shape and size, even when his dog Ambrosious acts afraid of the enemies that they, Sarah, and the others are pitted against in the film. One other character that viewers of the film will enjoy is Hoggle, a little troll-like figure who likes to collect jewels and tries to help Sarah to the best of his abilities, while being one of Jareth's henchmen at the same time and trying not to disappoint him, either.
The different settings in the film are another factor that contribute to the films overall brilliance and appeal to an audience. People will be intrigued by the first part of the labyrinth that Sarah encounters, in which she is between two tall walls and no matter which direction she decides to take, left or right, is seems as though both paths go on forever and do not stop. What makes this setting really interesting is that the audience assumes that there is not way to get out of it, when the only possible ways to get out of it are camouflaged by the two walls that she is between. Another interesting setting is under the ground in a dark cave where the stone walls have faces that talk to Sarah and Hoggle in deep bellowing voices as they pass by them. This setting can get a few different reactions from viewers, such as fascination, fear, and wonderment. One other setting that will stand out to audiences is within Jareth's castle, in which there are a bunch of staircases that go every way a person could possibly think of. Sarah finds this to be a challenge when trying to reach Toby who keeps crawling away from her and who then possesses abilities like the goblin king, such as being able to walk on walls while being upside-down and sideways.
Despite having negative reviews from certain commentators, Labyrinth will still be able to appeal to audiences, both young and old alike. Certain people that the film has not appealed to include Desson Thomson of the Washington Post who stated that the film ". . . never sets a timely tone beyond the 1980s. It remains disappointingly tethered to yesteryear." Another person who had some negative criticism of the film was Wesley Morris of the Boston Globe, who felt that the film ". . . has no pep. It's a dream in neutral." The negative crticism that Labyrinth gets from certain movie reviewers will never change the fact that it will remain an instant classic in American popular culture. Anybody can be able to like this film, he or she just has to open his or her heart and mind to it.
Works Cited
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/labyrinth/
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