Average Extra of: Labyrinth: 40th Anniversary: I had the extreme pleasure to watch this film at the cinema in 2026 by AverageMansReviews

Average Extra of: Labyrinth: 40th Anniversary: I had the extreme pleasure to watch this film at the cinema in 2026 by AverageMansReviews

Related content: Labyrinth 1986 Link https://averagemansreviews2017.blogspot.com/2018/03/labyrinth-1986-by-averagemansreviews_8.html

Real Talking Time:

Warning: at this point if you have been with me long enough you should know by now there will be at one point or another censored adult language references.

We are going back to the beginning of the Labyrinth: we have Jennifer Connelly as Sarah Williams: she is a teenager with an attitude problem, that by the usage of a magical incantation sends her half brother; Toby Froud as Toby Williams; away to the Goblin King; Jareth [David Bowie:] he has some mystical powers such as transforming into an owl, he gives Sarah 13 hours to make it through his Labyrinth and to get her brother back before it is too late and something bad will happen.

This is very much a piece of 1980's culture right here what with this being a Jim Henson project [for the younger generations this American puppet master is synonymous with the Muppets and other puppets and incidentally don't worry we in the UK had our own puppet master as well in the form of Gerry Anderson, he was best associated with such UK TV programs as Thunderbirds and my personal favourite Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons: both released in the 1960s: as I know there are some hard-core fan base: I need to point out that it was also Gerry's wife Sylvia Anderson and they produced project the name Supermarionation .]

But I digress; back to the Labyrinth; because four decades have passed as of when this content was first created; the authenticity of the all-round creation of the puppets, landscapes and all-rounder artistry, including singing from Bowie/Jareth with such tracks as "Magic Dance" released in 1987 which within this role paints Jareth/Bowie as a true King of the Goblins as he nonchalantly his sitting on/within his throne waiting for time to pass as a devious individual, but also can be partially playful and amusing with his Goblins [which backed him on this track] to get to this baby to stop crying.

I mean they just aren't going to re-create this level of authentic puppetry and let's be honest with these characters all having a mystical or/and chivalry component to them they are just looking/sounding better with age; I mean now and again I have made reference to this in previous content at the time of production on any level if you could in the effort or best as you can at that time as the years turn into decades and beyond; future people/viewer is well look much more kind on your door work as at minimum they should say is they are being reasonable; you can see that they really did put the effort in. But as it relates to this film you could want it in another 40 years time and it would still look fantastic.

The character developments and the performances/voice performances are of a reliable formula, so consequently they still hold great value even in 2026 as they are educational/coming-of-age and the performances/voice performances are from Connelly good as she follows a character types of coming-of-age really very well indeed going up against Bowie; which he is absolutely a driving force behind this project and I still believe without him this film would have really struggled and on a quick side note if there is to be a sequel in the future which I have just learnt at minimum it had been attempts to make it happen, they would need Connelly involved, because without Connelly or/and Bowie [I am unfortunately aware that Bowie is no longer with us: 1947-2016 RIP Bowie and while I’m on the subject Jim Henson 1936-1990 RIP] Connelly would have to fly the flag for this trio and if there are some people thinking will they could do the sequel or another project without them, firstly are you fudgin' insane? Yes they could, but I don't think you realise how big/iconic Bowie's performance is/was as I have just indicated it was iconic and legendary so anyone from my generation or older or slightly younger I feel comfortable suggesting they wouldn't accept anyone without some kind of acknowledgement to the original on a consistent basis and yes even though I have been highly praising this project and off the top of my head, the only person I could see pulling off a different interpretation but over a similar stature as David Bowie is Boy George as Jareth: He would bring a similar level of mystique and prestige to the role with a level of normalcy which is required, as normalcy in this case would indicate whatever goes on in this landscape is completely normal to him, but isn't to outsiders such as us the viewing audience and the only reason it has 7/10, this because without giving too much away I may strongly respect and admire this film for what it is, but there is only one thing I strongly dislike about this film and that would be the ending style; it really does my head in and makes no sense whatsoever, but to leave this content on a positive it is most definitely one of those films that firstly you should see at least once before you die and if you get the opportunity it must be seen on preferably a cinema screen; it is really worth it or a giant TV or screen.