[.ca] Labyrinth (Widescreen DVD with UMD)

Amazon.com Essential Video:
Sarah (a teenage Jennifer Connelly) rehearses the role of a fairy-tale queen, performing for her stuffed animals. She is about to discover that the time has come to leave her childhood behind. In real life she has to baby-sit her brother and contend with parents who don't understand her at all. Her petulance leads her to call the goblins to take the baby away, but when they actually do, she realizes her responsibility to rescue him. Sarah negotiates the Labyrinth to reach the City of the Goblins and the castle of their king. The king is the only other human in the film and is played by a glam-rocking David Bowie, who performs five of his songs. The rest of the cast are puppets, a wonderful array of Jim Henson's imaginative masterpieces. Henson gives credit to children's author and illustrator Maurice Sendak, and the creatures in the movie will remind Sendak fans of his drawings. The castle of the king is a living M.C. Escher set that adults will enjoy. The film combines the highest standards of art, costume, and set decoration. Like executive producer George Lucas's other fantasies, Labyrinth mixes adventure with lessons about growing up. --Lloyd Chesley

From Amazon.co.uk:
Sarah (a teenage Jennifer Connelly) rehearses the role of a fairy-tale queen, performing for her stuffed animals. She is about to discover that the time has come to leave her childhood behind. In real life she has to baby-sit her brother and contend with parents who don't understand her at all. Her petulance leads her to call the goblins to take the baby away, but when they actually do, she realises her responsibility to rescue him. Sarah negotiates the Labyrinth to reach the City of the Goblins and the castle of their king. The king is the only other human in the film and is played by a glam-rocking David Bowie, who performs five of his songs. The rest of the cast are puppets, a wonderful array of Jim Henson's imaginative masterpieces. Henson gives credit to children's author and illustrator Maurice Sendak, and the creatures in the movie will remind Sendak fans of his drawings. The castle of the king is a living MC Escher set that adults will enjoy. The film combines the highest standards of art, costume, and set decoration. Like executive producer George Lucas's other fantasies, Labyrinth mixes adventure with lessons about growing up. --Lloyd Chesley

Timeless magic:
On its' release this little gem of a film was overlooked and not the hit it deserved to be. The story centres around Sarah, a teenager, who resents her stepmother and Toby, her baby stepbrother and 'wishes' for the goblins to take him away. When they do Sarah finds herself journeying through the labyrinth of the goblin king (Bowie) in order to save him. She befriends an assortment of creatures such as Hoggle, a grumpy dwarf type being and Ludo, a massive, hairy beast who has a gentle nature. They accompany and help Sarah on her way to the goblin king's castle where Toby is being held. Jim Hensons workshop has worked it's usual magic and the film is littered with songs written and performed by David Bowie. This film is pure entertainment for any age group, well worth watching.

The Labyrinth lives on:
I was just a kid when this film came out. I used to love it for its great music and the imaginative sets, creatures etc. Now when I watch it I see the bildungsroman aspect of the work and I can appreciate it at a whole new level. This is one of those classics that will never die and can be appreciated by both young and old. I love it and highly recommend it.

Un film génial!:
Ce film est tout simplement génial, un vrai bijou pour les petits et les grands!

Tips for next release:
Labyrinth is my favourite film of all time. I loved it when I watched it as a girl (albiet it scared the jeepers out of me) and I love it now years later. This edition has quite a number of excellent special features. All the featurettes are excellent and are a half-hour or longer (where most DVDs have 15 segments). There is lots to learn about how the puppets were done, technical contruction, casting, writing, etc. Full of interesting tidbits for the die-hard Labyrinth fan. The commentary with Brian Froud is entertaining and despite Froud having to carry the commentary by himself, he keeps the viewer engaged as he reminisces about the film and tells cute stories. Plus he has a very jovial voice and truly loved making the film, which helps alot. My one critique is the lack of reflection from Jennifer Connelly and David Bowie. Playing the two main characters (and certainly two very defining ones in my childhood) I was hoping for a commentary with the two of them. Sadly I was disappointed. It would be BRILLIANT if in the next issue of this movie they included a commentary from them - together. I am eager to hear from both their perspectives on this AMAZING film. And Sony, I PROMISE I will purchase the release! You have my word. Beautiful film, beautiful transfer, excellent special features (though lacking Connelly and Bowie).

Gem:
You can't explain this film. Many tried to explain it to me before I saw it, and each of them said the same thing I am going to tell you: it's one of a kind, you just have to see it. A young girl slips into a deeper world when she wishes her baby brother away. Here she enters the world of Labyrinth, where this way might be that way and a lie can be a truth and you never really know anything for sure until you've experienced it for yourself. Jim Henson's brilliance shines, in one of his best accomplishments. Puppets gallore. Starring David Bowie and Jennifer Connelly. Unforgettable moments abound.