Labyrinth 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		5.0
Overall		3.0

Labyrinth 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf January 22, 2025

In 1982’s “The Dark Crystal,” co-director Jim Henson took a chance on fantasy storytelling, going somewhat severe in a masterfully crafted endeavor that brought out the best in his puppeteering vision. A more lighthearted take on unreality is ordered for 1986’s “Labyrinth,” which carries an inviting mood of adventuring and relationships to help welcome audiences to another stunning display of creature design and puppetry. The humans aren’t bad either, as star Jennifer Connelly offers an earnest take on teenage combustion, while David Bowie goes all sinister and uncomfortably seductive as Jareth, a most determined Goblin King. Henson creates a musical and an odyssey, aiming for brightness in the feature, achieving such creative goals with exemplary technical credits. Perhaps “Labyrinth” isn’t as commanding as “The Dark Crystal,” but themes resonate and a sense of humor is welcome, turning the picture into a highly amusing viewing experience. It also provides another reminder of Henson’s special brilliance.

For additional information and analysis, please read the 2009 Blu-ray review, and UHD reviews from 2016 and 2021.

Labyrinth 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Screencaps are taken from the Blu-ray.

"Labyrinth" was previously issued on UHD in 2016 and 2021. Now it returns to 4K in 2024, with Shout Factory trying their luck with the title. Significant upgrades are elusive here, as the previous releases did well with the rich visual presence of the feature. Unfortunately, the release has a significant flaw, finding a brief but explosive encoding failure at 21:31. Beyond this noticeable glitch (which isn't present on the Blu-ray), the Dolby Vision viewing experience delivers appealing textures throughout the film, picking up in the roughness of stone, boggy muddiness, and furry companions. Detail is excellent, exploring skin particulars on human and puppet creations, and costuming is fibrous. Fantasy world depths are preserved, surveying expansive labyrinth views, and interiors are loaded with decorative choices open for inspection. Color remains nuanced, observing the hazy skies of the kingdom and the stone maze. Creature fur is also vivid, and clothing carries vibrant primaries. Blacks are deep, securing dark encounters and shadow play. Highlights are tasteful, handling the brightness of the setting and elaborate lighting displays. Grain is fine and film-like. Source is in good condition.

Labyrinth 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

"Labyrinth" returns with what appears to be the same 7.1 Dolby TrueHD mix as before, joined by a 2.0 DTS-HD MA track (the 5.1 DTS-HD MA on previous releases has been dropped here). "Labyrinth" offers a slightly immersive viewing experience, prioritizing dialogue, finding exchanges remaining clear as various humans and creatures compete for screen time. Scoring supports with sharp instrumentation and synth emphasis. Soundtrack selections are also crisply defined with slightly elevated vocals. Musical moods explore the surrounds, joined by decent atmospherics, highlighting weather changes and community bustle. Low-end emerges during moments of rock-rolling action and pop beats. Sound effects are appreciable.

Labyrinth 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

UHD:

• "Fan Event Q&A" (33:32, HD) travels to the Jim Henson Company headquarters to capture queries about "Labyrinth" with actors Brian Henson and Toby Froud. The genesis of the picture is tracked, along with story points and casting, as a rock star was a priority find for Jim Henson, eventually connecting to David Bowie and his sexually potent ways. Bowie's presence on the set is remembered as well, happily participating in the shoot, which offered a nice break from the grind of the music world. Contact juggling achievements are celebrated. Baby tales are shared by Froud, who jokes that he "peed on David Bowie," while Henson offers a more in-depth understanding of Froud's experience during the shoot, with the child never far from his mother. Technical achievements are identified, including the "Helping Hands" sequence and the actual stench of the "Bog of Eternal Stench." Henson also provides memories of his father at work and at home.

• "Contact Juggling Tutorial" (12:46, HD) spends time with Rewi HoopHooligan, who offers a small gathering of "Labyrinth" fans a display of his talents and answers questions about the physical art. Some members of the audience are pulled into the demonstration, trying their luck with glass orbs.

Blu-ray:

• Commentary features conceptual designer Brian Froud.

• "Reordering Time: A Look Back at 'Labyrinth'" (9:31, HD) is a 2016 making-of, featuring interviews with The Jim Henson Company CEO Lisa Henson, Center for Puppetry Arts founder Vincent Anthony, Jim Henson Foundation president Cheryl Henson, Jim Henson Company chairman Brian Henson, and actress Jennifer Connelly. While more of an overview of production achievements than a true examination of the picture, interesting thoughts are still shared, including the idea than Jim Henson wanted to return to the bright side of his storytelling ways with "Labyrinth," mixing "Dark Crystal" and The Muppets. BTS footage from the movie is included.

• "The Henson Legacy" (10:36, HD) is a 2016 appreciation piece, featuring interviews with The Jim Henson Company CEO Lisa Henson, Center for Puppetry Arts founder Vincent Anthony, exhibition director Kelsey Fritz, conservation technician lead Russ Vick, Jim Henson Foundation president Cheryl Henson, Jim Henson Company chairman Brian Henson, and actress Jennifer Connelly. Memories of life alongside Jim Henson are shared, with most the interviewees experiencing family days with their dad, trying to articulate his behavior and work ethic. The featurette heads to The Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta to explore the Jim Henson galleries, which are filled with meticulously restored displays, including objects from "Labyrinth."

• "Remembering the Goblin King" (4:48, HD) is a 2016 appreciation piece, featuring interviews with Jim Henson Foundation president Cheryl Henson, Jim Henson Company chairman Brian Henson, and actress Jennifer Connelly. The work of David Bowie is celebrated here, noting his enthusiasm for "Labyrinth" and his playful presence on the set. Connelly discusses her relationship with a music superstar, too young at the time of production to really understand it. Archival conversations featuring Jim Henson and David Bowie are also included.

• "25th Anniversary Q&A" (41:24, HD) joins moderator Adam Savage as he interviews performers Brian Henson, Shari Weiser, Dave Golez, and Karen Prell. Thoughts, experiences, and memories concerning the making of "Labyrinth" are shared with a very enthusiastic audience. Questions from the crowd are presented in the second half of the interview.

• "Inside the Labyrinth" (56:28, SD) is a 1986 making-of, providing a deep dive into the world of the picture and the labor required to bring it to life. What's wonderful here is extensive BTS footage, visiting almost all facets of the production. It's a chance to watch Jim Henson and his team work on scenes, which is tremendous fun, and interview time with the late director (and David Bowie, in full Jareth makeup) is just as illuminating. This special is fantastic.

• "Kingdom of Characters" (27:57, SD) is a 2007 featurette exploring the creation of "Labyrinth," featuring interviews with creature designer Brian Froud, puppeteers Dave Goelz and Karen Prell, puppet designer Jane Gootnick, executive producer George Lucas, puppeteer coordinator Brian Henson, and Jim Henson assistant Mira Velimorivic. The focus here is on characters, identifying the labor put into the creature building process, as Jim Henson utilized various puppeteering techniques to bring this world to life. And there's an understanding of the thematic push of "Labyrinth," exploring tender days of female maturation while also keeping up with comedic asides and fantasy elements. Also included is BTS footage from the picture and early puppeteering tests.

• "The Quest for the Goblin City" (30:03, SD) is a 2007 featurette exploring the creation of "Labyrinth," featuring interviews with creature designer Brian Froud, puppeteers Dave Goelz and Karen Prell, puppet designer Jane Gootnick, executive producer George Lucas, puppeteer coordinator Brian Henson, choreographer Gates McFadden, and Jim Henson assistant Mira Velimorivic. The focus here is on the production, putting Froud and screenwriter Terry Jones on a quest to flesh out the cinematic world, filling it with all sorts of characters. Casting is explored, celebrating the work of Jennifer Connelly and David Bowie. Puppetry and visual effects are analyzed, putting the crew to the test as they labored with a few elaborate creations.

• "The Storytellers" (101:02) is a picture-in-picture track that adds information about the making of "Labyrinth," including interview snippets.

• Deleted and Alternate Scenes (26:04, SD) are offered, and they can be viewed with or without commentary from actor Brian Henson.

• T.V. Spot (:32, SD) supplies one commercial for "Labyrinth."

• And Theatrical Trailer #1 (2:12, SD) and Theatrical Trailer #2 (1:24, HD) are included.

Labyrinth 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Labyrinth" is more of a candy-coated film for Henson, getting him back into Muppet-y moves, mixed with some Monty Python-ish comedy from screenwriter Terry Jones. It's definitely out to please, boasting a lively soundtrack and colorful characters, with a few downright lovable (Ludo, I'm looking at you). It's an interesting chapter in Henson's absurdly limited directorial career, watching him try to engage a wider audience but also retain his love for emotional complexity and nuanced takes on good and evil. "Labyrinth" is an impressive endeavor, loaded with spirit and outstanding craftsmanship.