An Ode to Vintage Fantasy

Jen learning from the Mystics in The Dark Crystal

I am in love with 1980s fantasy movies. There was a quality to 80s fantasy that was unique, that held an almost surreal quality that made a huge impression on me as a child. From Willow's story of courage and hope to the Dark Crystal's fight against decadence; 80s fantasy rocked!

I don't know why the 80s produced so many classics. Perhaps it was due to film makers' desire to really tell a story without relying on the flashy magic of CGI. Perhaps it was the tangible nature of movie sets and the raw talent present in sculpted and fabricated movie creatures. Personally, I liked the darkness, the way films pulled on your heart strings with an alien familiarity. I like the fact that I was both terrified and intrigued while watching Labyrinth and tearful when Atreyu's horse Artax met his demise in The Never Ending Story.

 I miss artistic genius in movies and can only wonder what master puppeteer and Muppet creator Jim Henson could have brought to the current fantasy film industry. His masterful story telling skills and quirky character development was genius. Just think what Henson could have done for The Hobbit? Or how that film could have benefited from less CGI and better singing, less bloviating and, well, better acting. I am going to stop myself now before I go off on a tangent on just how much I hated Peter Jackson's attempt at retelling one of my favorite stories of all time. Ugh! Getting back on track now.  Here is a list of my absolute favorite 80s fantasy movies. Check it out and let me know what you think. Cheers!

10). Secret of Nihm

9). Dragonslayer

8). Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind

7). The Last Unicorn

6). Conan the Barbarian

5). Labyrinth

4). The Never Ending Story

3). The Princess Bride

2). Willow

1). The Dark Crystal