I’ve been introducing my kids to old fantasy movies. We’re talking way before CG…stuff like elaborate sets, miniatures, and puppetry. Here’s a list of some you may have missed or were before your time. Some may contain bad effects (by today’s standards) and some element of cheese but they are all fun. Here are my top 7 picks…

#1 The Dark Crystal (1982): Jim Henson (muppets) and Frank Oz did an incredible job on this movie. It’s one of the few that still looks good for it’s age. Elaborate sets and incredible puppetry are the hallmarks by which all others are judged. Must See.

#2 Princess Bride (1987): Though mainly a comedy it is still one of the best movies fantasy or otherwise. If you haven’t seen this movie then crawl out from under your rock and rent it. Eternal Classic.

#3 Ladyhawke (1985): , Matthew Broderick, Rutger Hauer and Michelle Pfeiffer. Good cast and fun movie. Rutger is always one bad dude.

#4 The Neverending Story (1985): Has some good puppetry and sets. The rock giant, wise turtle and the little gnome couple are my favorite parts. It shows its age and gets pretty cheesy at the end but still worth watching at least once.

#5 Labyrinth (1986): Another Jim Henson work in collaboration with George Lucas. It’s not bad but shows its age. David Bowe in heavy makeup and huge hair is scary on so many levels though probably not in ways intended. Good puppetry.

#6 Willow (1998): Ron Howard, George Lucas and Val Kilmer. More of a fun fantasy verses something dark. Not great but not bad either. Lots of midgets…don’t know if that is something but you get lots of them.

#7 Conan the Barbarian (1982) / Conan the Destroyer (1984): I am Arnold Shwarzenegger…arrgggg!!!! Good ‘ol Arnie! I placed this series last because I doubt very many people haven’t seen or heard of this series. I think of these movies as more action than fantasy but kick butt none the less.

80’s Fantasy Movies to avoid at all costs:

#1 Legend (1985): Ridely Scott and Tom Cruise. Uh…hmmm. Cruise as a fantasy hero…enough said. 89 minutes of my life I would never get back and would have rather spent being poked in the eyes with hot cattle prods.

#2 The Beastmaster (1982): Marc Singer and Tanya Roberts. Well if that doesn’t scare you then you watch porn movies for the plot. This movie has more cheese than a Big Mac.

#3 Dragonslayer (1981): Alley McBeal’s Peter Nichols everyone!!! Yeah he doesn’t come to mind when I think fantasy hero. He makes Tom Cruise look less gay in Legend. That is saying something. That’s like making show tunes and pink sundresses manly.

-Wes

This entry was posted on Wednesday, May 7th, 2008 at 7:04 pm and is filed under Movies, Sections, geeky excitement. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.