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Reviews
The Dark Crystal (1982)
Magical puppetry
A simple, classic story of good versus evil - essentially the two sides of every sentient being - is only strengthened by the skilled puppetry of Jim Henson's creature team.
The world of the Dark Crystal is very immersive, though it may be a case of style over substance for those seeking a really meaty story. Despite some plot flaws (mainly just simplicity), the puppet characters seem more real than ordinary actors would have been. There's a distinct flavor to a world that is populated entirely by puppets, with no humans in sight (unlike the similar Labyrinth). Although, it could be that this lack of direct identification with any one character - while the main characters are the most human, they're still not quite - is what distances some viewers.
Nonetheless, Dark Crystal is a pleasant fantasy with enough action to satisfy kids who have grown up on the Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, or Star Wars prequel movies.
Batoru rowaiaru (2000)
Great character study
This film has been touted as a horror movie and a satire. While there is a fair dose of horrific action between the high schoolers, and the film attempts some commentary on society, what I found most interesting are the different reactions of the students to their predicament. The film becomes a character study, and a pretty successful one, at that.
There was not a single character that I didn't like (or like to hate), and each of them had different motivations beyond just survival. It was also an interesting touch to equip each character with a different tool/weapon. Many of the characters were eventually equated with their tools.
The film is very violent, and it is unapologetic in its violence. But it accentuates the horror of the students' situation. It doesn't always satisfy on a story level, but the characters are almost always engaging.
Galaxy High School (1986)
Very 80s but still very cool
Nearly 20 years after I saw the first episode on television, I still enjoy this cartoon. The characters - both main and supporting - are colorful, and while some of them are more defined than others, none of them is perfect. Doyle could be conceited and petty, and Aimee could be jealous and easily impressed. But that's what made these characters so much fun. They were not the goody-goods that seemed to populate many cartoons of that (and this) era.
Favorites of the series include "Dollars and Sense", where Aimee is swept off her feet by rich playboy Reggie Unicycle; "The Beef Who Would Be King", a standout funny episode that's mostly an examination of the rivalry between Doyle and school bully Beef; and "Beach Blanket Blow-Up", something of a takeoff of the old Frankie Avalon/Annette Funicello beach party movies.
The show isn't about accurate science (there's hardly any), and while it sports a synth-heavy 80s soundtrack, it's not about music, either. It's really about alienation - of Earthlings in an intergalactic school, of teenagers among adults, and of girls among boys (and vice versa).
It's a shame there are so few of these episodes, and that there's no DVD release. My tapes are getting pretty worn.