Labyrinth - Directed by Jim Henson

I'm not very good with the question, "What is your favourite film?" I don't dislike the question, rather, every time someone asks me my thoughts go into overdrive. In my excitement my brain immediately starts scanning scenes and characters and stories and feelings and events; the culmination of almost 30 years of so much tremendously memorable film and television viewing. I always enthusiastically hope that I can present some kind of magnificent answer. I don't think this is possible. However, among the myriad memories, Labyrinth (1986) by Jim Henson often dances its way to the forefront.

I was four years old when this film was released, but I didn't watch it until I was about nine. Either my mum and dad had decided I was too young to see it or neither they, nor I, had heard of it before then (I'm inclined to think it was the latter... nine is probably a good age to watch Labyrinth, but I doubt my mum and dad could have kept it from me. When my dad saw Pulp Fiction (1994) in about 1996, he told me I should watch it - I was 13…  But, he probably realised that I'd see it someway, somehow... given it's popularity and my own thirst for film... I'd already snuck in a few R-rated films, Trainspotting  (1996), Silence of the Lambs (1991), Candyman (1992) and so on - and he wanted to watch it with me to discuss afterwards. Home-schooling win?).

I'm fairly certain that I can recite Labyrinth word for word while I'm watching it. I know all the songs. The first few years of high-school (before I "got cool"… yeah, that didn't happen) I would wear loose-fitting long-sleeved button-up shirts with a vest and blue jeans, because that's what Sarah wore and I wanted to be her. I also developed a massive crush on David Bowie. Men in tights. Mmmmm Hmmmmm.

Jim Henson is a genius; his puppetry, for every extraordinary reason, is iconic. I can almost imagine that Brian Froud has actually met and conversed with the characters he designed for this film; they are so varied and rich and beautiful. Jennifer Connelly was so exceptional and played such a beautifully imperfect and inspiring character that I wanted to BE her; what greater compliment is there? I will re-watch this film many more times before I die and I will show it to my kids and to their kids. It makes me laugh and dance and flutter and sing.

5 stars.

With Love

Surgeon Bug

(This was my Final "Favourite" Review for 783 Alice Springs. I did my final review for ABC Local radio from Deloraine in Tasmania. The guys told me I could pick my favourite film. This is what I came up with!  Check out the audio and blog here: http://blogs.abc.net.au/nt/2012/10/movies-labyrinth.html?site=alicesprings&program=alice_springs_drive)