The Thousands

Although it was initially overshadowed by ET in its cinema release, THE DARK CRYSTAL has enjoyed a rare longevity. With the classic struggle between good and evil played out by a cast of Jim Henson’s MUPPETS, this dark fantasy has some of the best animatronics technology of its time. Admittedly that time is 1982 so it’s not Pixar-slick, but even the odd glimpse of a puppet string doesn’t detract from the spot-on characterisation of Henson’s creatures. Looking for another good reason to see it? You can smoke on the balcony, there’s free popcorn and word has it that the sequel’s due out next year. – JG