The Film Den: Labyrinth, Part 2 (Video Review/Retrospective)

[@UncleJoeNeonCherry]

What I hate about other reviews is that people like Nostalgia Critic say they enjoy this film "ironically" or try to be detached in its analysis. Bullcrap, I just love it for what it is, no irony. That's why I'm greateful to you, Dena. You are honest about liking thgings like Labyrinth.

[@charlottearena]

Ditto !

[@laurenfrey873]

Agreed. Of all the Labyrinth vlogs I’ve seen, Dena’s is easily my favorite.

[@cartoonglutton326]

The lesson here reminds me of a quote by C. S. Lewis. "When I became a man I put away childish things, including fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up."

[@jaylenshiloh9783]

a tip: you can watch series on kaldrostream. Me and my gf have been using them for watching a lot of movies recently.

[@jamarigeorge2248]

@Jaylen Shiloh Yup, I have been watching on kaldrostream for since december myself :D

[@skylarkendrick656]

@Jaylen Shiloh yea, been using KaldroStream for years myself =)

[@TheHeroOfTomorrow]

"Jareth gets all the ladies-" Please, he's David Bowie--he gets all the guys, too.

[@cremetangerine82]

“If there is one thing that unites all people, it’s unquenchable lust for David Bowie!” - Kyle Kallgren

[@Teelenth]

One of the things I love about Labyrinth is the fact that I'm always seeing new things in it that hadn't occurred to me before. This time through, it struck me that when Sarah parts ways with her friends to go off and face Jareth alone, she's already won, she just doesn't realize it. Think about it; Jareth said at the beginning that her task was to solve the labyrinth(i.e. reach the castle at the center) within 13 hours, and she's done that. Confronting Jareth and saying her right words might represent a personal victory for Sarah, but she's already succeeded at the goal that she was given. For his part, Jareth is basically stalling for time and trying to run out the clock before she realizes that she's already beaten him.

[@Cyborcat]

Wow, I hadn't thought of that before.

[@sheepishwolfie5419]

Jareth is sympathetic to me mostly because his role as the villain is also Sarah's wish. Sarah needs an antagonist to fight against on the journey to adulthood. If we believe that Jareth's love for her is genuine, and that he's trying to give her what she wants because of that love, then he'll be the villain she wants, but it would have to hurt.

[@Cyborcat]

+Heather Voltz So basically it's James and Maria with the genders switched (and no murder involved) =P

[@sheepishwolfie5419]

+Cyborcat you know, I didn't make that connection, but yeah, it sort of is.

[@alphahunterd]

@@sheepishwolfie5419 James and Maria? Who are they and where are they from?

[@YorkChangeling]

I've seen a *lot* of discussions of Labyrinth over the years and, as a mega-geek, my friends and I have discussed it 'till we're blue in the face. Still, its always fun to hear another take on it. Something I read recently about Puella Magi Madoka Magica (which is a brilliant look into the tropes of magical girl anime) resonated with me when re-watching this movie recently and I think it might be worth sharing: Western literature has the idea of "bildungsroman"-- a coming of age story, wherein a boy faces the trials necessary to become a man. The original Star Wars trilogy, for example...but its been around for ages. Boy faces tragedy, has great destiny, rises to meet challenges, becomes a man. But, interestingly, bildungsroman is traditionally a *male* trope. In creating the magical girl genre, Japan gives us the female version of the coming of age story. Sailor Moon, for example, is literally about a girl having destiny thrust about her, coming to terms with adult responsibilities and becoming a woman. Hell, the main character ends up with a child (spoilers for a...sheesh, *25* year old story), meaning that she confronts not just womanhood, but motherhood. Moreover, the magical girl genre, with its exciting costumes and transformation sequences, have themes of girls coming to terms with their sexuality. (Kill La Kill might be a good, if somewhat over-the-top example of that). With that in mind, Labyrinth could be seen as a Western example of this coming of age story for girls. Sarah is at that age where she's torn between childish pursuits and confused, "grown-up" feelings and the journey through the Labyrinth could very much be seen as her way of coming to terms with adolescence. She learns a balance between responsibility and escapism, lessons about life and its fairness and so on, and so forth. Moreover, yes, this can definitely be seen as a teenage girl considering her sexuality-- the scene with the peach/dance could very much be seen as a seduction and I *do* remember reading, somewhere, that it could be read as a sexual encounter that goes poorly-- remember, after she escapes the hallucination, she looks down to see that the peach she's bitten into has a worm in it. Basically, the dream was not as lovely as she thought it would be. So...yes. I think Labyrinth scans pretty well as a girl's coming-of-age story, and perhaps the reason many of us are so fond of it is because its fairly unique for that. We have tons of sci-fi and fantasy movies about boys seizing their destiny and becoming men (often using violence and combat to make that journey), but relatively few films about girls seizing that same destiny and becoming women.

[@YorkChangeling]

+YorkChangeling Also, eeek! Sorry that went on so long. O_O

[@Cyborcat]

+YorkChangeling Good points. I don't have much to add other than that =P

[@SmoshyGoodness87]

"And then she starts tripping balls..." God help me, that was magnificent! X'D

[@GEMINIEARTHWALKER]

Speaking of Brian Froud, I met him and his wife Wendy, who is also an artist, she sculpted the original Marquette of Yoda in Empire. I met them both at Faerieworld 2011 in Eugene Oregon. The are the co founders of the event. I also met and befriended their son, Toby Froud, who yes, played the Baby Toby in the Labyrinth. Toby has done well for himself, following in his parents footsteps, he has his father's talent for designing mystical creatures and his mother's sculpting talents. He now works in films and tv, he is a regular sculpture, stop motion animator and creature designer for the movie company Laika Entertainment, LLC he's worked on Paranorman, Box Trolls, Kubo of the Two Strings. But what is, really special, is that he is currently working as lead designer on Netflix's Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, the prequel series to his father's 1st film. He now lives in Portland Oregon with his wife that he met in Oregon, Brian and Wendy still live in Ireland.

[@cannibalisticrequiem]

Dena, if you haven't already, you seriously need to check out the webcomic Girls Next Door by Pika-La-Cynique! It was one of the Labyrinth-inspired things Jill (Sursum Ursa) talked about on her Stuff You Like show. It's a great webcomic! It takes place after the events of the movie, and centers around Sarah attending university, and having to deal with the stalkerish habits of Jareth. It also takes place in an alternate universe, so Sarah is flatmates with Christine Daae from the Phatom of the Opera musical, with Erik (the Phantom) as Jareth's flatmate. There's close to 300 pages of the story now, and lots of character development for the characters, and as a lot of nods (ie characters showing up) to other geeks fandoms such as Supernatural, Doctor Who, Rocky Horror Picture Show, Good Omens (the novels by Neil Gaimen and the late Sir Terry Pratchet), Hiyao Miyazaki's Spirited Away, Lord of the Rings, The Dresden Files, Star Wars (The Force Awakens most recently), Jupiter Ascending...and really, that's just the tip of the iceberg! You should be able to find it on Deviant Art, and I believe it also has a radio drama as well (or whatever it's called now, where they have videos of people narrating the story overlayed on the comic panels). Seriously, it's worth checking out!

[@TorridPrime217]

Hey, CC, here's some analysis and headcanon I came up with while watching your review, when you first brought up the David Bowie stuff in Sarah's room: The man who looks like David Bowie and appears with the woman likely to be Sarah's mother is whom she wishes were her father -and likely wishes she could live with instead of her current family, and the entire story was imagined by Sarah, her at first imagining her brother being taken away but then feeling guilty for thinking that and changing her fantasy to an adventure she'd always wanted to go on, using things from her room to shape the world of the Labrynth. The Goblin King, meanwhile, being the ultimate representative for what Sarah selfishly wants and in turn being the main antagonist. In this sense, the entire film is an even more so an allegory for growing up as Sarah denies the one thing she wanted the most in favor of what she's been given, and by the end of her fantasy has realized the error of her ways and decides to grow up, now more in control of her fantasies. That's my analysis

[@pyjamacritic1171]

11:23 there's milk bottles by the castle door, bottom left of the screen, I really do see something new every time I watch this movie. x

[@AthenisKS81]

There's also Mirrormask, which came about when Sony didn't want to pay $20 million for the rights to Labyrinth in order to make a sequel after its spike in popularity. So the idea of Labyrinth was modernized and became Mirrormask with the involvement of the Henson company, Neil Gaiman, and Dave McKean.

[@Cyborcat]

+Athenis This is the first I'm hearing about this. I'll have to check it out.

[@thor30013]

+Cyborcat It's kind of weird, but since Neil Gaiman was involved, that's kind of a given. I've actually seen it packaged with Labyrinth and Dark Crystal, so that should give you some idea of what to expect.

[@Deathshead1923]

+Cyborcat You could reasonably look at Toby's teenage hairstyle as being him subconsciously emulating Jareth,

[@jesternario]

Escapism is fun when you need it. It's why some folks play D&D.

[@YorkChangeling]

+jesternario May I point your attention to Changeling: the Lost? They basically cite Labyrinth as one of their inspirations. ^_^

[@graciegj63]

I kinda thought with the masquerade that the people were really goblins disguised as humans wearing goblin masks.

[@madisonmoore9461]

They were actually it's in the inside look of the movie. The people were actually meant to act like goblins, thus, why they look like goblins.

[@UstraMage]

The Dark Crystal is my favorite movie of all time. Would love to see a Film Den about it.

[@karendalsadik7119]

Your review was so coool. It was like having a friend to watch it with. I am going to watch it again.

[@Cyborcat]

Thanks, glad you like it ^.^

[@professorBofFPU]

Fantastic video. I always like how in depth you go with the history and behind the scenes work.

[@Baeraad]

I watched it - Netflix added it, I guess to commemorate the passing of David Bowie. It really is pretty special. :) I interpreted the ending the same way you did, for what it's worth - as Sarah realising that she can grow up a little and still not kill her imagination altogether to do it. In fact, I'm inclined to see the whole thing as some kind of daydream or metaphor, with Sarah arguing with herself and trying to figure out what she actually wants, and putting it all into terms borrowed from all the fantasy stuff she's into.

[@evecampbell3069]

That picture of Reno you had in the background. I love Advent Children. Thanks for making this review! I'm gonna go read the manga now.

[@evecampbell3069]

Update 2 years later. I'm deep into Undertale now and that Mettaton poster is awesome. (Still love your review!)

[@hunnykun101]

I was born into the 90s and I did watch a little 80s kids movies *mostly Don Bluth movies* I didn't watch this movie until my friend told me about it *after we marathon YGO Abridge; the one where Shadi came in* and I did see Nostigla Chick's review of it. Watching the review so many times as my curiously grows I watch the movie and I really love it, I bought the collection box with the movie, Dark Crystal and MirrorMask. Also Nina I have also seen some videos that also think the sub-text is mostly growing up but also adds in the sexual undertone; since Sarah was going thru teenage stuff and Jareth is basically taking control until Sarah grew within the movie. The ending is pretty powerful and also shows young girls that 'Say no to a powerful, rich and handsome man'. But you did a great job adding things that I didn't notice before. Amazing review and keep it up~ RIP Jim Henson and David Bowie

[@genyfear]

That NES labyrinth game is so freaking hard, even with save states...

[@GussieKlimt]

Waited till i saw the whole review to see if you had read the book - they have a good novelization that covers a few things and is sanctioned by Henson. I found it a decent read, and it actually covers the darker elements.

[@SmoshyGoodness87]

This was really great, and I actually did learn a few things I didn't know. Excellent job on this.

[@RThyrring]

I mentioned last time how I got scared as a kid by some of the visuals. Well, despite that I have very fond memories about this movie in general, especially since it's the first fantasy movie I can remember I ever watched. Also, I used to play a board game as a kid called "Magical Maze" in which you are a wizard who is trying to get his gold out of a labyrinth set up by goblins (I actually still play that game sometimes with my nephew). I'm always reminded by this movie when playing the game, since the Danish translation of both the names sound similar ("Labyrinth" being translated to "Labyrinten til Troldkongens Slot" and "Magical Maze" being translated to "Troldmandens Labyrint"). Of course those two things are unrelated, but I just think it's funny how I made that connection...

[@alastairpreece6908]

It's hilarious that they added the 'Hey, no problem' line when the gunner goblin gets squashed by the rock. Because you can't have kiddies thinking the good guys killed a bad guy.. even though he was firing at them with a machine gun.

[@Cyborcat]

Moral guardians weren't really a thing in the 80's. More like Jim Henson probably just didn't want any blatant death in his movie so he played the scene for laughs.

[@alastairpreece6908]

I agree, they certainly weren't. Ren and Stimpy taught me that at age 8!

[@TheTriumphgurl]

There's a fan comic on DeviantArt called "Girls Next Door" and it has characters from different fandoms. It mostly focuses on Sarah (Labyrinth) and Christine (Phantom Of The Opera). I know there's a let's read floating around on KZbin.

[@AnotherJenn42]

This has been one of my favorite movies since it came out. My brother worked at a movie theater and got the movie poster for me. Really should get it framed.

[@ultravioletpisces3666]

Men never take rejection well.

[@practicalmagic9]

I have heard that after the failure of "The Dark Crystal" also deeply affected Jim Henson. If I was told correctly he responded with puzzlement and sadness.

[@xen0bia]

I grew up with Labyrinth, it's easily one of my favorite childhood movie along with Neverending Story and Willow. It played a lot on TV in my corner of the world and I would never miss an occasion to watch (even though some parts frightened me). I was never aware that it bombed so hard, I find that really surprising. And I'm realizing that all 3 movies I aforementioned have some pretty dark, dramatic bits to them. Man, kid movies back in the days were so baddass.

[@supmaidoods8753]

I watched all these movies as a 10 year old and now that im 15 cartoons/kids movies arent the same...or maybe im coming to age

[@thatbowiefan6276]

Who is David Bowie and how come I have never heard of him until now?

[@QueenBoadicea]

13:16 I think that's deliberate and it works in light of the situation. In spite of the threatening music and his circling her like a bird of prey, he's about to lose and he knows it. He is tired, bitter and angry at what he sees as her ingratitude. If Jareth is a figment, then he's basically done everything that she wanted, leaving him physically spent, bereft of followers and possessions and about to lose the only thing in his world that was real--her brother. No wonder he looks so weary.

[@darrenbent7601]

You pretty much described the movie exactly as I would have (although, I loved that battle in Goblin City, I thought that it could have been longer). I too saw the movie when it was on the big screen at the cinemas in 86. I've seen it at least 100 times now and every single time, there is another new Easter Egg that I notice (although I've never seen that album cover which shows the cleaners though). For me though, it wasn't Bowie, it was Jennifer Connelly as the draw card. From this movie I developed the biggest crush on her. And I always thought that Sir Diddimus (one of my favourite characters from the movie) was based upon Basil Brush, a very comical British puppet character, but I could be wrong. I did not know about that NES game, I'll have to try to find it. Thank you for a wonderful and comprehensive review. Everything else you mention in both parts of this review I totally agree with you, and probably would have said the same thing..

[@Awakeandalive1]

Yay! You mentioned DJJ! And you're right -- I never would have let you hear the end of it if you'd failed to mention that. I was literally sitting on the edge of my seat, waiting for that. XD

[@Cyborcat]

+Awakeandalive1 LOL. Of course I wouldn't let that go. I love that guy too much =P

[@Awakeandalive1]

+Awakeandalive1 Also, you could review "Legend" if you want to review another dance/seduction scene which is...less G-rated.

[@DarkwingSnark]

Huh, I never noticed the plushy of Sir Didymus. I just assumed he was referenced in the scrapbook with the cut out of Disney's Robin Hood.

[@charlottearena]

Love this film too, thank you great review, loved it ;)

[@rogernevez5187]

it would be nice to publish the link for 'inside the labyrinth'

[@Rubaiin]

I first saw this in my Sophomore English class in highschool. It was my teacher's favorite movie and she just wanted a day where we could all watch it. Hard to believe that was already almost 5 years ago. Still haven't had a chance to see it since and actually forgot most of what goes on in it. Glad you decided to give it the ol' Dena look. Gotta rewatch it some time soon. Also kinda curious to know if you'd ever take a look at Phenomena. It's an Argento movie and I can never look at Jennifer Connelly and not think of it haha.

[@Cyborcat]

+Snarfle Don't think I've heard of that one.

[@Rubaiin]

+Cyborcat I think it was her first role? I know it was before Labyrinth at least haha. It's a pretty neat movie if you get a chance to watch it. (Though it has its issues here and there especially with some of the music choices) The first 2 Clock Tower games actually got a lot of obvious inspiration from it which is pretty awesome imo.

[@ultravioletpisces3666]

I first saw it in choir class in middle school!

[@muthesquirrel]

I still don't consider him a villain. More of a wise teacher, helping her grow as a person through various trials, simply taking the role of the villain to motivate her. At the end when he leaves I don't feel he's 'done with this', more that his job is done and his lessons have been learned.

[@Cyborcat]

+Andy Semple Could be.

[@muthesquirrel]

Cyborcat Or I could be wrong, it's just my take. But to me it's why former enemies are partying in her room at the end.

[@dennett316]

+Andy Semple I think he looks too disappointed for that to be the case. If he sort of wryly smiled, then that might be true.

[@muthesquirrel]

Paul Dennett I still feel he had feelings for her, so knowing he's no longer needed by someone he cares about would be sad.

[@MichaelAarons1701]

I don't know if anyone's mentioned this already but, did you know that in almost every scene there's a hidden Jareth face somewhere in the details or like a phantom image?

[@ChibiFighter]

As I said in the previous video, props to Bowie for having to do the fake baby sounds they sound so fake but good for him for trying.

[@wiredtardis]

One detail that's more ambiguous, but informs the character of both Sarah and Jareth is that, in Sarah's scrapbook of her mother, you can read that her mother is an actress and her being with David Bowie in the photos hint at why Sarah has this kind of fantasy. She wants to abandon her responsibilities as she felt was abandoned by her mother, and why she both vilifies and has an attraction to Jareth, but I can't say for sure if it's an expectation she wants to live up to (to emulate her mother's life by running away and falling in love with David Bowie) or if she blames the David Bowie actor that took her mother away from her. The first interpretation may be more likely as she spends her time rehearsing lines in costume in her free time, maybe to escape or maybe to become an actress like her mom. But the other interpretation isn't exactly too far off the mark either.

[@CoolG97]

The part with the Fireys (Red creatures that pull themselves apart) actually makes sense with in an earlier draft they offered to help guild Sarah to the castle, but not only were they easily get distracted, they didn't actually know what a castle was. That actually fits with the idea of a Running Gag where every-time Sarah tries to get help, aka cheat, it ends up turning her around or lost. Also, when I found that I also found that aprantly the other living door-knocking (with the ring though its ears) lead to a place known in the game (Japan only) as The Laughing Forest where everyone laugh non-stop.

[@Cyborcat]

That's interesting.

[@bobvlogbobvlog3967]

27:31 you forgot a piece missing from the soundtrack Dena there was the music when Jareth made his entrance that’s also missing

[@seanpatrickcain2]

9:36 Welcome to the boss level

[@ultravioletpisces3666]

I want to make my room like hers...

[@TheZipperDragon]

The scene with the peach kinda reminds me of snow white (Which was a book in her room) Especially with the strange comment, except Snow white said she felt strange.

[@Cyborcat]

Oh shit, how did I miss that? XD

[@TheZipperDragon]

Probably just because it's so small it could be a coincidence. I was just looking over the details, since I remembered you always mention them, & the snow white book just stuck with me, till the peach scene. Then my mind just connected them because I just watched film theory before this & he made a joke about how vague Snow white's symptoms were. Again, could be a coincidence. I might just be dumb XD

[@jonathanwright8025]

Got the movie on blue ray just to see the last part of your review in full context. Overall, I like the first half of it, but some of the bits at the end like the Sir Didymus fight with the giant and the battle sequence went on too long. And the ending is kinda...confusing, both with Bowie and at the very end in her room. But I'm still glad I saw it for the first time since second grade.

[@laurenfrey873]

Have you ever read any fanfics by Scattered Logic? I came across their stuff years ago, like, 15 years, but their stuff is still up. I recommend A Necessary Deception, I recently reread it and it still holds up very well, in my opinion. Sarah is older and sees Jareth again, and returns to the Labyrinth and meets several new residents of the Underground. It even ties in nicely with what David Bowie said regarding his character.

[@Cyborcat]

Interesting. I'll try to check that out sometime.

[@DasKame]

Thanks Dena, great Review and greetins form germany. How is it about the "Clocktower" Game series? I would really like to see your Opinion on these Series or at least one of this Game :)

[@danmorgan3685]

Their is a re-print (I think) of the novelization of Labyrinth being put out by Archaia: www.archaia.com/archaia-titles/jim-hensons-labyrinth-the-novelization/ It is described as a prose novel with illustrations. This would seem obvious but they have published short Labyrinth stories for Free Comic Book Day. They were part of the Mouse Guard offerings. If you aren't a fan of Mouse Guard yet you really should check it out. The art in the one shots is very nice too.

[@mrdoctorgilmore]

As a Doctor Who fan, I like to think Jareth is an incarnation of the Master

[@hairy_cornflake]

Eh you can't go wrong with fart humor, NEVER! I gotta say, Jennifer Connelly is gorgeous in the dance scene. But damn Bowie is so fuckin' handsome in that whole movie, what a man.

[@shmee123ful]

I read a art/lore behind the labyrinth book years ago and its explains that all the creatures in the labyrinth can't breed or aren't allowed to so they have to wait for humans to get lost in the labyrinth or taken from the normal world and if they give in to hopelessness or a tricked into staying and they transforms into one of the creatures

[@Cyborcat]

Makes sense.

[@shmee123ful]

So yes the junk creatures, those red bird cat things in the forest and Loodo, and the rest are humans that got lost in the labyrinth and became something else. Other than Jarthe I think the book said he's kind a king of the firyes or a creature of dreams or a small god that's being forgotten by the world at large and exists on the fringes of our world. It's been years since I read the book so I maybe mistaken but that's what I recall

[@Icaras]

I'm surprised you didn't talk about the Commodore 64 Labyrinth game, which was a graphic adventure adaptation by Lucasarts. (It's WAAAAYYY different than the Japanese game you mentioned...which I never knew existed until this video.)

[@Cyborcat]

+Icaras01 I mentioned it in the credits. Didn't see the point in talking about both, especially since I'm not really familiar with older PC games and didn't know if it was even possible to play it now. Plus, the video was already running long enough already.

[@orgywithpigs6]

I was lucky to grow up with both The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth

[@thewillsterpro3051]

I may just be an idiot but I didn’t know his name was Jereth I thought it was just the goblin king

[@9ansean]

Hey great too part review. One of the best I've seen of this movie and there've been a lot lately. I wanted to write to you on channel awesome on day it was posted, but wouldn't you know it that was the day my family went on of town and I just got back. Still not sure it can long in on my laptop. I noticed you often post back Cybercat. I could say just go one about this movie, but one thing I wanted to now is if you've read the novelization (all or part). I have my own thoughts on that and a few other printed adaptations if you like to hear it.

[@Cyborcat]

+9ansean I have not read the novelization. Is it good?

[@9ansean]

+Cyborcat I think so, but I haven't found a complete copy myself. I've only been able to find parts of it on google book, which unfortunately doesn't allow you to see the new features from the 2014 addition. Original illustrations by Brian Froud and journal notes of Jim Henson. That only sound make the new hard cover addition worth tracking down. I don't know how much of the promotion adaptation itself can really be considered canon thought. A.C.H Smith didn't give coauthor credit to anyone who worked on the screenplay (which itself went through multiple authors.) Unlike The Dark Crystal novelization he cowrote with script writer David Odell which has a number of names not mention in the film. It is interesting though to compare the changes from script to film to book. The most basic difference is the background details he gives to Sarah's family life. The mysterious actor played by Bowie with Sarah's mother is given the name Jeremy and were told he took to fancy plays, give her expensive gifts, and basically make her feel like an adult. The also tell you that the things Sarah gives up over the course of the story were gifts from her mother: the lipstick, the ring, the music box, but not the cheap bracelet she gives to Hoggle. BTW given the Hoggle-Hogward connection it's amusing to read her mother played Hermione in A Winter's Tale!

[@9ansean]

+Cyborcat They also give us a look into Jareth's ennui and why he wants Sarah in his life during the magic dance scene (since the obviously can't reproduce musical numbers in a book). When get a better since of principles mixed with wickedness because he think Sarah is "Too old to be a goblin, yet young to be kept by him. Damn her innocent eyes." I was fine with that character expansion, but some else the author added pissed me off. After the ballroom sequence, as Sarah wakes up from the dream not knowing where she is or how she got there we get this: [She had been at a ball, that much she could remember. Where it was and she had gotton there, and why-nothing came back to her: just the ball. She closed her eyes to the memory of Jareth, hot with shame at how she had succumbed to his charm She felt soiled by what had ensued in the ballroom. Somehow, it had all been her fault. Those men who pawed her, Jareth trying so rudely to force a kiss upon her-had she been truly innocent, they would not have behaved like toward her, would they?] Smith, A.C.H. Labyrinth the Novelization P. 163 UH, IS HE SERIOUS!? Do I even need to explain the ugly implications of older men being interested in a teenager girl, never mind pawning and trying kiss her being "all her fault?" Why would Sarah be so concerned with no being "truly innocent?" Is that they way Smith though a typical teenager girl would react to that situation? I'm just thankful in the movie Sarah's reflections were more vague. That's the main reason I was interest in your opinion on the book and why I had to go a little overboard in explaining whats in it. I do hope to one day find the whole thing for the added materials. Your thoughts?

[@Cyborcat]

+9ansean Maybe I'm missing something, but I'm not sure what's so bad about that bit you quoted. It's pretty common for a girl to think it's her own fault and feel guilty about it when she attracts the wrong kind of attention and it goes further than she expected. And since the movie is supposed to be about growing up it makes sense that she'd be conflicted about something like that. In fact, I remember in the making-of documentary, Jim Henson describes her in that scene as knowing she's too young to be at that ball and she doesn't feel quite right about being there. I dunno--I'm kind of uncomfortable with judging a single passage from a book that I haven't read--whether or not it works can depend on the context and what the rest of the book is like.

[@9ansean]

+Cyborcat Well I do think the novelization is still worth checking out. Admittedly I didn't grow up a girl, which is why I originally want to end my already lengthily post with the question for you being "Is this author off his nut or am I?" The probablm I have is that on it's own the passage just feels dangerously close to reinforcing rape myths. Yes you could argue the author was just reflecting Sarah's point of view, but that passage didn't make her seem conflicted (as you said Jim Henson did describe her that way in the movie and I did feel it in her performance). Here it seemed like she just come to the conclusion it was her fault, felt bad about ever wanting to attract attention and never reconsidered that she done nothing wrong! It seemed a little out of character to me. I have thought her reflections would be a little more mixed. I dunno-you are right about context and maybe I'm just missed something, but it's an issue worth considering.

[@RThyrring]

Hey wait... is it just me, or does the music playing during Sara’s final confrontation with Jareth sound a bit like the battle music during a boss fight in a Final Fantasy game, when the boss takes on his/her final form?? XD

[@Cyborcat]

It kinda does, now that you mention it XD

[@nathanforester5993]

There's a Mr Darling/Captain Hook ordeal with Jareth, because the man in the photo who looks like him 'Jeremy' - as he's called, is also possibly Sarah's actual father. The book 'Labyrinth: The Ultimate Visual History' also says Jareth is a bit like Satan in someway.

[@cremetangerine82]

Sincere question: am I the only girl who grew up in the 1980s in which “Labyrinth” was not a movie I watched constantly?

[@Cyborcat]

Clearly not, since it wasn't until the internet that I finally found other people who had seen it besides me.

[@cremetangerine82]

@@Cyborcat OK, it’s just surprising to me that a movie that has both David Bowie *and* Muppets in it escaped my attention!

[@Cyborcat]

Good point, it's weird that it bombed in the theaters.

[@cremetangerine82]

@@Cyborcat *And* a script written by Terry Jones and George Lucas as a producer?

[@JayWolf1985]

Highly entertaining video, as always, and I enjoy the trivia & analysis near the end. It has been a long time since I last saw the film, and I think I am about due to see it again. Curiously, what are your thoughts on the fact that there has been a possible movie sequel announced now that David Bowie has unfortunately passed. Personally, I do not see the point in pursuing it now since the person who brought one of the best aspects to it is now gone.

[@Cyborcat]

+Flowtac Entertainment I think I heard that it's been shelved.

[@alexlynn5111]

Sarah and Kirsty team up and wreck everyones shit

[@ShawnRavenfire]

I found an online version of the NES game, but all the instructions were in Japanese, so I couldn't figure out what I was supposed to do half the time.

[@MrAjaysparrow]

Danny John Jules Voices 2 of the Fire dance people... Great review

[@Cyborcat]

Thanks, glad you liked it!

[@GregDaniel78]

A few points, Labyrinth was quite a well known and loved film in Europe. It was interesting to find out subsequently it was a flop in the US. Mind you, it was filmed in the UK with one of our better known rock icons. Also, there was a *very* patchy Atari 800/Commodore 64 game, produced by Lucasarts. A very primitive introduction to verb-based actions later used to better effect in Maniac Mansion and Monkey Island.

[@ultravioletpisces3666]

We watched this for the first time in 6th or 7th grade choir class. I had no idea it was a flop. It was pretty much my favorite from the first instant. I think we also watched princess bride in the same class.

[@seanpatrickcain2]

11:11 still a classic

[@MikeDelphi1]

You know the actor who played Toby actually NAMED his son toby and dresses him in the striped pj's at the Cons.

[@ultravioletpisces3666]

Toby is a cute name

[@cyrus649]

love this movie

[@lifeofbekahh]

Labyrinth is my favorite David Bowie movie 😊

[@BigGator5]

The "creepy" creatures at the beginning of this part of the review are called the Fireys or Firedancers, depending on who you ask. I call them Firedancers myself.

[@Cyborcat]

+BigGator5 I know what they're called, just didn't feel the need to mention it since it's not stated in the movie. I've also heard them called "Fire Gang". Or even "Wild Gang" if you go by the song.

[@BigGator5]

Cyborcat Fair enough. I was mentioning this not only to you, but to views of this review. :D

[@themoviebuff1425]

26:28 what are you talking about? The opening part of Magic Dance is fine with me plus you can dance along with it

[@Cyborcat]

I think you missed the point. I was comparing the version you hear in the movie to the version they put on the soundtrack where they changed the opening to a series of beeps.

[@themoviebuff1425]

Cyborcat oh yeah I see what you mean sorry And as a treat here are the words from Sarah’s book Through dangers untold and hardships unnumbered I have fought my way to the castle beyond the Goblin City To Take Back the child you have stolen For My Will is as strong as yours And My Kingdom As Great You Have No Power Over Me

[@themoviebuff1425]

Cyborcat also they forgot the theme when Jareth makes his entrance

[@christinestrickland6217]

Where can I find labyrinth 2 at could someone plz tell me I love this movie

[@Cyborcat]

There is no Labyrinth 2. Or are you talking about the manga?

[@christinestrickland6217]

No I was talking about labyrinth 2

[@apex2000]

that soundtrack change seems weird and needless... was there some kind of clause like the soundtrack had to be a unique recording or something, so they made the modifications to make it obvious..... or maybe was just a way to make people go "hay i remember that song, but something seems different" & then theyd track down the film or album depending on where they heard it first.

[@maxsponky]

Me again haha. Not exactly what I thought I'd be doing with my Saturday night but these vids are really entertaining! I actually remember having a Labyrinth lunch box when I was 5, and nobody knew what it was. Then several years later I showed up to a college Halloween party dressed in what I thought was the most Epic Jareth costume ever......but everyone just thought I was a girl. For a kids movie it really does have those horror tones and feel to it. Makes me think about nightmare on Elmstreet, Hellraiser and sometimes Troll 2!

[@Cyborcat]

+maxsponky That's awesome, I didn't even know Labyrinth lunchboxes were a thing--I totally would have wanted one =P

[@ultravioletpisces3666]

I'm watching this with my three year old because my copy.of this stayed at my mom's house when I moved out in 1993...

[@MadScientist512]

That chair at 7:15 is most definitely Not computer generated, just a bad matte/green screen effect; it's somewhat ironic, and amusing to a dinosaur computer geek like myself, how easily a generation that grew up with CGI in movies rates something as "obviously CGI" :)

[@TeryJones]

14:16 - I would make the same Kill La Kill "Fear is Freedom" crack I've made before but I think twice is enough already so screw it.....

[@TheBeird]

I can't say I'm a huge fan of this film, but I gotta ask why the hell are they planning on making a sequel out of this? Let it be what it be. It's a moment in time of cinema, you can't replicate it. Although, that Netflix Dark Crystal show was amazing. And if they get Tilda Swinton to play the Goblin King . . . I'm in!

[@supmaidoods8753]

Hold on- there are? Yikes we both know how good that is gonna be...

[@regularshowman3208]

I think Return to Labyrinth looks so off because it's someone from America trying to do manga. It's just so clearly an American product, and all the tropes typical to manga and anime feel more like imitation than someone actually experienced with it. I'm sure if it was illustrated by a really talented mangaka it would look great. As is, it looks pretty cheap and imitative.

[@buddysmith7794]

I always found it weird that the fireys where there along with the bird head at the end.Though intersting is that in the original script the bird guy was supposed to appear a couple of times giving her misdirections.Another thing is that jareds fate was alot different he originally when she confronted him he instead turned into a little goblin to show what he really was I heard that he got toned down alot and was more creepy in the original script. Also forgot there was a point and click game for the movie.It has a boy watching the movie and then getting sucked into the movie and going through just like SaraThe Interesing thing is that it expands on some things like the two doors the other door leads to a place were people can stop laughing. I wasnt a fan of the Manga felt to fanficy.I feel it works better as a standalone movie.

[@buddysmith7794]

And I realized i spelt jarerth wrong.

[@mariarud_]

excelente video amo esta película .. lástima que no esté subtitulado para entenderlo :-(

[@johnnyhogate8707]

I have a theory about jerith last stand I don't think he gives a damn about Sara he just loved hanging out with toby

[@johnnyhogate8707]

that's why he's so sad

[@shmee123ful]

Actually Cyborcat MGN wizard of Oz made that ( real girl in a fantasy world up) aka its all in her head kind of thing. The original book along with is sequels made a distinction between the two worlds meaning that OZ was very much real, thier was a time difference and everything and not a small one eather it was a few weeks at best and a lest a month at worst. Check out your fellow reviewer The Dom " lost in adaption" ( wizard of OZ) video if you don't believe me. This has been Alaster Boneman with your truely useless fact of the day.

[@POLE7645]

By the way, I personally think that the C64 game is better than the Famicom game. It's a rather unique adventure game.

[@Razzy194]

15:44 This is why your reviews are better than lyndseys'

[@EarthboundX]

I don't know why, even though Bowie is my favorite singer, I don't like or care for any of the songs in this movie. Well I guess Magic Dance is alright, none of the others though.

[@missykerns1631]

this movie is so funny lol

[@lishyspeeds6098]

Um it is her imagination because I have been looking into the movie and a lot of people say it was her imagination but I will say that you just can’t get past the fact that jareths balls not the crystal ones always are sort of visible but to my opinion who cares it’s David Bowie so manny people would try to get in his pants any time of the day (R.I.P David Bowie)

[@RawbeardX]

I know a good reason for her to need her friends. it rhymes with "bass to bass". muahahaha... I am not proud of that one.