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roses_are_rosa's review against another edition
5.0
This book is stunning! I love the illustrations and the copies of memos and drawings that are taped onto pages. Also there’s so much information and behind the scenes about the movie and its creation. Absolutely loved it
constant_reader's review against another edition
5.0
Wow! I love behind the scenes books. So much work went into Labyrinth. There is a lot of beautiful art by Brian Froud. I even got teary eyed during the last chapter.
a_chickletz's review against another edition
5.0
I adore Labyrinth. It has been a part of me since I was little before I even saw it. I admit I was in the camp that saw The Dark Crystal first as a young one and then Labyrinth when I was older. Since I am now near my thirties, I feel a bit sad that I didn't get to grow up with Labyrinth.
However, from being into it the last ten years, I feel that what I've gotten to know over the years puts me on par with the rest of the fandom.
I knew the stories about making it but I am a sucker for behind the scenes pictures and more Jim Henson treasures. This book has all that and more. I loved reading new ancedotes from the cast and crew, and seeing George Lucas talk about it after all these years.
The last chapter was a bit heart-breaking and I blame that all on Golez and his two paragraphs recounting how he told Jim Henson in little to no words that the movie was a dud. It wasn't until after Jim died and he got to watch it again that he finally understood and wishes that he had the chance to apologize and tell Jim how much he treasures to be a part of it. I guess that seems to happen to so many people.
This book clearly shows that Labyrinth was something special: it was ahead of it's time but it has always been there when we need it, and still it will remain.
However, from being into it the last ten years, I feel that what I've gotten to know over the years puts me on par with the rest of the fandom.
I knew the stories about making it but I am a sucker for behind the scenes pictures and more Jim Henson treasures. This book has all that and more. I loved reading new ancedotes from the cast and crew, and seeing George Lucas talk about it after all these years.
The last chapter was a bit heart-breaking and I blame that all on Golez and his two paragraphs recounting how he told Jim Henson in little to no words that the movie was a dud. It wasn't until after Jim died and he got to watch it again that he finally understood and wishes that he had the chance to apologize and tell Jim how much he treasures to be a part of it. I guess that seems to happen to so many people.
This book clearly shows that Labyrinth was something special: it was ahead of it's time but it has always been there when we need it, and still it will remain.
vaderbird's review against another edition
4.0
5 star - Perfect
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
lillythebluepaladin's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
4.5
I got this books as a Christmas present, after having had a 17 year old obsession with this movie, and just Jim Henson generally.
I loved this casual read! I have always wondered how they did the owl at the beginning of the movie, and how they created the giant metal puppet and Ludo, so that was fun to learn about.
Also, the lovely messages about both Jim AND David Bowie at the end of this was a touching and great detail.
So yeah, if you LOOOVE the movie, and you have an hour or two to spend, this can definitely be recommended.
I loved this casual read! I have always wondered how they did the owl at the beginning of the movie, and how they created the giant metal puppet and Ludo, so that was fun to learn about.
Also, the lovely messages about both Jim AND David Bowie at the end of this was a touching and great detail.
So yeah, if you LOOOVE the movie, and you have an hour or two to spend, this can definitely be recommended.
dtaylorbooks's review against another edition
5.0
OMG talk about an excellent find at Changing Hands. And I was totally meant to find it too. I was in a section of the store I NEVER go in (the TV/movies section, it’s just never on my radar) and this beautiful book is just sitting there, all wrapped in plastic and waiting for me to grab it. At first I’m all like, wait, what? Labyrinth? THAT Labyrinth? I grab it, see what I’m holding, and don’t put it down until I’ve paid for it. I vaguely knew the book existed, but I certainly didn’t expect to find it on the shelf at my local bookstore. Surprise! Early birthday present for me!
And it’s glorious. Just absolutely glorious. All the drawings and the photos and the behind-the-scenes information. I love seeing everything it took to create Labyrinth, the sheer amount of time it took just to get the story together. There’s this one sketch of the Sarah character lying on a bed and the caption indicates that it’s in Jareth’s room in his castle. MIND BLOWN. I always know that David Bowie’s codpiece and the tight pants and the “is it sexual/is it not” vibe going on in the movie was very much intended. I just didn’t realize HOW intended. (very, very intended) Jim Henson took great pains to delicately approach this because he knew that it wouldn’t take much to push it over the edge into inappropriate.
And the number of people who auditioned for Sarah. Marissa Tomei, Alley Sheedy, Sarah Jessica Parker, Laura Dern, and then some. Can you imagine??? And the men who were considered for Jareth? Mick Jagger, David Lee Roth, Ted Nugent, among others. I can’t even. I really can’t.
Plus the fact that the Creature Shop worked on the puppets for literally YEARS before the movie even went into principle photography. They basically had ideas and started putting things together and melded those creations with the movie practically seamlessly. It’s amazing. And watching the story itself evolve from this high fantasy epic to what it is today. The number of incarnations it went through is mind-blowing.
LABYRINTH: THE ULTIMATE VISUAL HISTORY is a must-have for any Labyrinth fan. If Jim Henson was as big of a part of your life growing up as he was mine, you’ll adore his behind-the-scenes notes, you’ll smile when you read about what he was like on set, and how much he believed in Labyrinth and how sad it was that he didn’t live to see it grow into the beloved film it is today. Luckily there are plenty of people still left to keep the love alive.
5
And it’s glorious. Just absolutely glorious. All the drawings and the photos and the behind-the-scenes information. I love seeing everything it took to create Labyrinth, the sheer amount of time it took just to get the story together. There’s this one sketch of the Sarah character lying on a bed and the caption indicates that it’s in Jareth’s room in his castle. MIND BLOWN. I always know that David Bowie’s codpiece and the tight pants and the “is it sexual/is it not” vibe going on in the movie was very much intended. I just didn’t realize HOW intended. (very, very intended) Jim Henson took great pains to delicately approach this because he knew that it wouldn’t take much to push it over the edge into inappropriate.
And the number of people who auditioned for Sarah. Marissa Tomei, Alley Sheedy, Sarah Jessica Parker, Laura Dern, and then some. Can you imagine??? And the men who were considered for Jareth? Mick Jagger, David Lee Roth, Ted Nugent, among others. I can’t even. I really can’t.
Plus the fact that the Creature Shop worked on the puppets for literally YEARS before the movie even went into principle photography. They basically had ideas and started putting things together and melded those creations with the movie practically seamlessly. It’s amazing. And watching the story itself evolve from this high fantasy epic to what it is today. The number of incarnations it went through is mind-blowing.
LABYRINTH: THE ULTIMATE VISUAL HISTORY is a must-have for any Labyrinth fan. If Jim Henson was as big of a part of your life growing up as he was mine, you’ll adore his behind-the-scenes notes, you’ll smile when you read about what he was like on set, and how much he believed in Labyrinth and how sad it was that he didn’t live to see it grow into the beloved film it is today. Luckily there are plenty of people still left to keep the love alive.
5
hobbes199's review against another edition
4.0
Some marvellous insight into possible one of *the* 80's movies. Structured, and comprehensive (but not to techy) the detailed accounts of each character, be they human or puppet, are accompanied by some wonderful pictures from the archives.
Interviews with those involved (some for the novel, others archive) make it clear that this was a project loved by all.
I would heartily recommend this to any fan of the movie or Henson.
(Edition note: Cannot give a full 5* as due to the formatting of the review copy, some pages were unreadable. Also, many illustrations were missing. Therefore I cannot review as if a complete edition)
Interviews with those involved (some for the novel, others archive) make it clear that this was a project loved by all.
I would heartily recommend this to any fan of the movie or Henson.
(Edition note: Cannot give a full 5* as due to the formatting of the review copy, some pages were unreadable. Also, many illustrations were missing. Therefore I cannot review as if a complete edition)