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The Dark Crystal

(1982, Rated PG, Fantasy, Starring Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Dave Goelz)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 5, age appropriate for kids over 7; suggested age 7.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    A fantastic, but more intense Muppet adventure.

updated 07.04.08

Why We Rated This on for Ages 7 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    The skeksis sure are sloppy eaters. The story encourages children to persue their dreams despite obstacles. Kira is shown as a strong female character.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness :

    Fighting and occasional killing, mainly among bony nonhumans; sweet little gelflings are threatened repeatedly with death and/or zombification. Monster attacks and menace in abundance. The evil skeksis strap down benign "pod people" and turn them into zombie slaves.

  • Sexy stuff :

    A romance develops between Jen and Kira, but it's treated innocently.

  • Language:

    Not an issue.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Dark Crystal

Parents need to know that this movie is quite dark. This Henson puppet creature feature is no Muppets Take Manhattan. Instead, it's a dangerous otherworld where dark forces have taken over and human-like beings called gelflings are rounded up, strapped to chairs with big needles, and drained of their "essence" for decrepit, dinosaur-like skeksis (pretty scary creatures, but also big buffoons). This movie isn't for everyone, and surely not for sensitive little ones under 7, but for the right kid just getting into fantasy books, this will rock their world.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about how Jen accomplished his goals with the help of others, including Kira. How hard or easy is it for each family member to accept help? What would they have done in Jen's place? How is this story a hero's journey? What other stories follow the same formula?
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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer
    Age 8
    Ela Chavez
    Lives in California
    I rate this title off for age 2 and give it 0.0

    I HATE the Dark Cristal!

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Has useful details | Read my mind
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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 0-9

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