Labyrinth

Labyrinth, a fabulous film about a young girl's journey into womanhood that uses futuristic technology to illuminate a mythic-style tale, is in many ways a remarkable achievement.

With their technical astonishments, Director Henson and Executive Producer Lucas have been faithful to the pioneering Disney spirit. In suggesting the thrilling dilemmas that await a wise child, they have flown worlds beyond Walt. [7 July 1986, p.65]

George Lucas produced and Jim Henson (of Muppets fame) directed this heftily budgeted 1986 fantasy, which seems to be a conscious attempt to play on the female coming-of-age themes of classic fairy tales.

I think mature pre-teens along with immature teens might relate to this overbearing showcase of bizarre rubber duckies. Adults are bound to find it a major yawn, and young children are likely to be scared out of their wits. [27 Jun 1986, p.82]

There's more length than depth to Labyrinth. The Baryshnikov staging of "The Nutcracker" has more to tell about a girl on the edge of young womanhood, with more poignancy and a more palpable sense of transition, than all the technical wizardry Henson and crew have offered so lavishly-and without a single pop song, either. [26 Jun 1986, p.1]

David Bowie, flaunting a Marianne Faithfull hairdo, stars in Jim Henson's latest puppety film, the flagrantly unoriginal Labyrinth. [1 Jul 1986, p.A1]

What an enormous waste of talent and money is Labyrinth. [30 Jun 1986, p.3]

one of the most surreal movies I have ever seen and one of the most interesting as well this is one of the few movies I think everybody should watch at least once

Bowie definitely elevates the movie and is a true highlight for me. What I said about Dark Crystal also applies for Labyrinth. It's a beautiful, well-designed movie with a story that really just falls apart in the middle and kind of limps towards the end but is worth checking out because it is quite unique.

you have no power over me.. Labyrinth It contains some intriguing tricks and riddles with some sketchy characters in its first half that ante's up the game which then makes it more disappointing later, as the second half is exhaustingly cliched with a typical agenda of quest seeking where one knows its predictable climax. Jim Henson needs to work on his execution skills especially when one is creating such a feature that attracts younger crowd that seeks for more drama and meddling with emotions. Jennifer Connelly is brilliant in her performance and unfortunately isn't supported well enough by David Bowie as he fails to strike essential fear onto the audience. Labyrinth; despite of its flaws, works like a charm as its screenplay is gripping and entertaining enough to hold the audience for its short runtime of 100 minutes and deliver the complete anticipated package.

"Labyrinth" is a movie that starts out as what looks like a fantasy equivalent to "Peter Pan" , but sizzles down in the end only as a decent movie with a baffling story behind the great CGI.

Oh dear heavens no. Back in the 80´s, this movie was probably a fantastic view i am sure together with many other fantasy classics. But it has aged horribly for today´s audience. I know that Jennifer Connelly who hot stuff in her young teens, but her acting skills was pretty naff back then. The practical effects are very much on level with Muppetshow, but poorly executed. Only David Bowie is the only one who could hold this movie just about together. But even the musical number are slightly flat from Bowies classics from the 70´s. This movie can easily be left alone to the glorious 80´s, but should not be the first movie you have in mind 40 years later.