Labyrinth

10 September 2018

Labyrinth 1986

• Director: Jim Henson
• Based on book: no
• Cast: Jennifer Connelly, David Bowie
• Personal “oh yeah him/her” reaction, i.e. have seen this actor in:
• Jennifer Connelly – American Pastoral, Winter’s Tale, Creation, He’s Just Not That into You, The Day the Earth Stood Still, Blood Diamond, Little Children, House of Sand and Fog, A Beautiful Mind, Pollack, Requiem for a Dream
• David Bowie – Bandslam, The Prestige, Extras, The Last Temptation of Christ, Absolute Beginners, The Man Who Fell to Earth
• Why? David Bowie
• Seen: 7 September 2018      

       A very young Jennifer Connelly and a sheepdog named Merlin and a teddy bear named Lancelot. Whatever can come next? Sarah (Connelly) is a melodramatic teen-ager, lost in a fantasy world of castles and goblins, and rebelling against her middle-class parents and baby brother Toby.

       Her wish that the goblins take Toby comes true. Oops.

       Enter the Goblin King (Bowie) who tells her she has thirteen hours to make her way through the labyrinth to the castle, otherwise Toby is his forever.

       That’s what it’s about. Sarah trying to find her way through the labyrinth, being helped and hindered by talking worms, bear-type creatures, trolls and door knockers, while the Goblin King performs David Bowie songs and jostles Toby on his knee.

       The Muppet connection is very clear. The story and characterisation are essentially non-existent but it’s visually very imaginative, amusing, a bit exciting and more than a bit creepy.

       I wonder if Connelly is proud or embarrassed by this early role, but dancing with David Bowie must have been very cool.

       I find myself liking it, especially the plucky young heroine in white tunic and jeans. The scene towards the end with the stairways is strong.

3 * of 5 (Hal gives it 4 for the variety of animated figures)