The '80s were a special time for cinema, as moviemakers could easily get away with producing fantastical stories that were also nightmare fuel for kids. Jim Henson, creator of The Muppets, did exactly that with The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth. If you're interested in revisiting these weird but enchanting masterpieces, Walmart has opened preorders for exclusive limited-edition 4K Blu-ray versions for both films. The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth release November 19 and cost $29 each.
This isn't the first time that these films have been available as 4K Blu-ray editions, but Walmart is offering them with very cool steelbook covers. The Dark Crystal's steelbook cover features a gorgeous illustration of one of the key locations in the movie.
Jim Henson's The Dark Crystal
$29 | Releases November 19
The Dark Crystal originally released in 1982 and was directed by Jim Henson and Frank Oz. Henson created the story concept, and Muppets writer David Odell penned the script.
The Dark Crystal featured incredible puppeteering, and the plot revolves around the characters Jen and Kira, two Gelflings on a quest to bring balance back to the world of Thra by restoring a powerful crystal that overthrowing the evil Skeksis who rule the land. This was essentially Final Fantasy before there even was a Final Fantasy.
This is a two-disc set. The 4K Blu-ray disc contains the film, audio commentary, and a new Q&A from a fan event with The Jim Henson Company CEO Lisa Henson (Jim's daughter).
A second, standard Blu-ray disc has the film and a bunch. of other special features. Here's everything you'll find on the two discs.
The Dark Crystal Special Features
- 4K version of the film
- Standard Blu-ray version of the film
- Fan event Q&A with Lisa Henson
- Audio commentary with conceptual designer Brian Froud
- The myth, magic, and Henson legacy feature
- The world of The Dark Crystal documentary
- Reflections of The Dark Crystal: Light on the path of creation
- Reflections of The Dark Crystal: Shard of Illusion
- Picture-in-picture storyboard track
- Original Skeksis language scenes with introduction by screenwriter David Odell
- Deleted scenes
- Photo galleries
- Theatrical trailers
Jim Henson's Labyrinth
$29 | Releases November 19
Labyrinth was first released in 1986. The final feature film directed by Henson, the movie mixed live-action with puppets, and featured stars like Jennifer Connelly as 16-year-old Sarah and David Bowie as Jareth, the Goblin King. It was sadly a box office bomb at the time, but in the decades after it was released it has received glowing reviews and a devoted fanbase. The film follows Sarah as she embarks on a quest to rescue her infant brother Toby from the center of an enormous maze after she wished him away to Jareth.
Like The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth is dark fantasy that strays very far away from your typical Muppets movie, and this 4K release also comes in a steelbook case, featuring an illustration of Toby surrounded by goblins. There's also an impressive selection of bonus content to watch.
The special features are split across the two-disc set, with most of them appearing on the standard Blu-ray disc. The 4K disc has the film, audio commentary, a fan event Q&A, and a video that teaches you how to Contact Juggle like David Bowie.
Labyrinth Special Features
- 4K version of the film
- Standard Blu-ray version of the film
- Fan event Q&A with Brian Henson and Toby Froud
- Contact juggling tutorial
- Audio commentary with conceptual designer Brian Froud
- Reordering time: Looking back at Labyrinth
- The Henson Legacy
- Remembering the Goblin King
- Anniversary Q&A
- Inside the Labyrinth documentary
- Journey through the Labyrinth: Kingdom of Characters
- Journey through the Labyrinth: The quest for the Goblin City
- The Storytellers: Picture-in-picture track
- Deleted and alternate scenes, including audio commentary with Brian Henson
- Theatrical trailers
Both of these films have been expanded on in books and comic books over the years, and if you're looking to read them, Amazon has some nice deals up for grabs. The selection includes prequels and spin-offs, as well as a definitive guide to the world of Labyrinth and Tarot card decks themed around both movies.
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