I just recently watched this, among the many Cults I missed; unlike for others, this wasn't part of my childhood, but even if it was, I don't think I would have liked it more than now.
I think Neil Gaiman already summarized perfectly the nature of this picture in his review. A lot of good ideas pop out across the story, but the plot can't seem to decide what could make them work fully. Too many times the story bits show a total different nature from the others, almost like they didn't even finish the script before starting filming it. So many plot points are rushed, the tone goes from childish to mature, sometimes is too simple, sometimes it tries to be more complex. Like a Fairy Tale should be, actually ... but this isn't the right way.
The characters too suffer from this, sometimes they try to be more tridimensional, and this offers very interesting themes, like with Oona and her "secret", and the inspiring moment in which she tries to coerce Jack with her fairy tricks, but he wisely resists, causing her apparent disdain ... and after just a few seconds, all is put apart.
Also Gump, from the moment he appears, he looks like a very cool character, and the actor is very fit for the role ... but sometimes he overacts too much, tries to be ambiguous and mischievous like a forest spirit, but not enough.
And Blix, she starts like a very important character, and then just disappears from the picture, without a real reason (maybe she appears more in the Director's Cut? I don't know)
And the least interesting of the bunch are the two protagonists themselves: Tom Cruise is just out of place, while Mia Sara manages to show the volatile and much more complex character of Lili, but even this is not enough, despite her shining truly in more than a scene, especially thanks to her eyes and the looks she gives.
But I can't deny the many merits of the picture, even if almost all relegated to the technical side. An almost perfect Fantasy world, full of pure Darkness, and that shows again the absolute power of practical effects, even after 37 years. And some scenes are truly entertaining, like the darkly humorous moment with Meg Mucklebones (Robert Picardo and the make-up are just perfect!)
And if I have to choose just one scene to explain the good sides of the movie, there's no doubt: the fantastic moment in which Lili is tempted, and starts that soave and yet unsettling dance number with the Black dancer, and in the end she finds herself dressed in black, in front of the mirror from which emerges in all his might Darkness himself.
And boy, THIS is also the main reason to watch the movie: Tim Curry is just a GOD, practically born for this role. Of course thanks to the magical hands of Rob Bennit for the makeup, but if it wasn't for Curry all would have been useless. Nothing but pure, Cinematic, Fantastical Magic!
And this is a real shame, because if all the other elements were treated better, this would have easily been one of my All Time Favorite Ridley Scott's movies, and maybe even Fantasy movies, who knows.
It will always remain a Cult, one to absolutely watch at least once in your life ... but what a Masterpiece it could have been!
I think Neil Gaiman already summarized perfectly the nature of this picture in his review. A lot of good ideas pop out across the story, but the plot can't seem to decide what could make them work fully. Too many times the story bits show a total different nature from the others, almost like they didn't even finish the script before starting filming it. So many plot points are rushed, the tone goes from childish to mature, sometimes is too simple, sometimes it tries to be more complex. Like a Fairy Tale should be, actually ... but this isn't the right way.
The characters too suffer from this, sometimes they try to be more tridimensional, and this offers very interesting themes, like with Oona and her "secret", and the inspiring moment in which she tries to coerce Jack with her fairy tricks, but he wisely resists, causing her apparent disdain ... and after just a few seconds, all is put apart.
Also Gump, from the moment he appears, he looks like a very cool character, and the actor is very fit for the role ... but sometimes he overacts too much, tries to be ambiguous and mischievous like a forest spirit, but not enough.
And Blix, she starts like a very important character, and then just disappears from the picture, without a real reason (maybe she appears more in the Director's Cut? I don't know)
And the least interesting of the bunch are the two protagonists themselves: Tom Cruise is just out of place, while Mia Sara manages to show the volatile and much more complex character of Lili, but even this is not enough, despite her shining truly in more than a scene, especially thanks to her eyes and the looks she gives.
But I can't deny the many merits of the picture, even if almost all relegated to the technical side. An almost perfect Fantasy world, full of pure Darkness, and that shows again the absolute power of practical effects, even after 37 years. And some scenes are truly entertaining, like the darkly humorous moment with Meg Mucklebones (Robert Picardo and the make-up are just perfect!)
And if I have to choose just one scene to explain the good sides of the movie, there's no doubt: the fantastic moment in which Lili is tempted, and starts that soave and yet unsettling dance number with the Black dancer, and in the end she finds herself dressed in black, in front of the mirror from which emerges in all his might Darkness himself.
And boy, THIS is also the main reason to watch the movie: Tim Curry is just a GOD, practically born for this role. Of course thanks to the magical hands of Rob Bennit for the makeup, but if it wasn't for Curry all would have been useless. Nothing but pure, Cinematic, Fantastical Magic!
And this is a real shame, because if all the other elements were treated better, this would have easily been one of my All Time Favorite Ridley Scott's movies, and maybe even Fantasy movies, who knows.
It will always remain a Cult, one to absolutely watch at least once in your life ... but what a Masterpiece it could have been!
