Student Film Reviews

Film reviews from theaters, couches, and film festivals

Home | All Reviews | Festival Courses | Film and Media Studies | SBCC | | Log in

1. Matthew Sessler 02.02.16 / 11am

   I have not seen this movie but your excellent review makes me want to watch it as soon as I can. You did a great job with the background summary and I felt as if i could follow along very easily. I like how you describe the changing meaning of the movie as you age, as i have definitely experienced this same sort of feeling viewing other movies. I will be putting this movie on my watch list, and rest in peace David Bowie.
2. Leanna Nolan 02.02.16 / 7pm

   It has been quite a while since I have seen Labyrinth, and I have been meaning to rewatch it for the last few years. It is interesting that you see a coming of age story hidden under the prominent children’s fantasy aspect of the film. When I am able to rewatch the film, I will have to keep an eye out for the sequences you name and see if I see the same underlying meaning. I’ve always loved the fantastical element of the film and the way it was so unique. Now it will also hold the nostalgia of childhood as well.
3. Gillison Bryan 02.20.16 / 1pm

   You have found the right words. This film means so much to me and my life, my mother introduced me to it at a very young age. It’s sad to hear it was a commercial flop, it’s the most epic thing. We are all in mourning of the loss of David Bowie, thank you for helping me remember one of his most influential, and exciting moments in entertainment.
4. Ashley Sherritt 03.01.16 / 7pm

   I loved your review, and thought that the timing of your desired response couldn’t have been at a more perfect time. The film labyrinth is one of my all time favorite films, for reasons you have mentioned in your review. I too watched this film as a child and as you said “One of the things I love most about this film is that when you watch it as a child, the adventure captivates you”, I feel the same way. I remember wathching those kind of scary puppets in amazement, when they were dancing around with I believe fire, and that giant kind friend of Sarah’s. Remembering my reactions as a child is fun.
   I like how you mentioned how, “David Bowie was casted for his allure”, he is such an amazing eccentric actor, and I don’t think that the film could have ever been as great as it was without him.
5. Shannon Hare 03.04.16 / 2pm

   When I saw Labyrinth when I was a child, it honestly terrified me. All the goblin creatures were scary and David Bowie had such a huge presence in the film that it kind of intimidated me. Watching it over and over throughout the years growing up, I have come to absolutely adore this film. It is still a kind of fantasy film that I haven’t seen anyone be able to create since this. Like you said, it’s captivating and creative. I have a deep interest in art and this film has such a surrealist vibe to it. To me, Labyrinth is a perfect example of art cinema where the actors really became their characters.
6. Rachel Tims 03.07.16 / 9am

   I remember watching Labyrinth as a child with my friends and thinking that the storyline of this movie was so cool, but I was also terrified because I couldn’t bare the fact of being trapped in a giant maze and trying to find my way out! I love how you mentioned the things you noticed as a child and also as an adult. I agree with you that this movie is able to interest a child, and give you a completely different adventure feel, then as an adult, give you the aspect of recognizing the true essence of the film. A young girl coming of age and trying to find herself as a woman, but still holding onto some of her childish ways. Overall, I really enjoyed reading this review and reminding myself of this incredible movie!
7. lwetzel 03.11.16 / 11pm

   I have never seen the film The Labryinth before but your review on it makes me really want to watch it. I have seen Dark Crystal before when I was little and I really loved the costumes and animation of Jim Henson so it sounds like the costuming and animation is the same in Dark Crystal as that film. I agree that David Bowie during that time was right for the role and almost the ideal rock star crush for Sarah. When I watch it I’m going to look for the things you said in the review especially about it being a coming of age story underneath a child fantasy adventure.
8. Victor M. Tamayo 08.30.16 / 11pm

   Being a huge David Bowie fan, I wanted to like Labyrinth more than I did. I remember when it first came out, but being a teenager in 1986, it did not have much of an appeal to me, other than featuring Bowie, who I saw later that year in concert. I viewed Labyrinth at the theater but my only recollection was being underwhelmed. Fast forward three decades and I thought I’d give it another go with my 9 year old daughter, who I thought would love it. After seeing the stellar reviews, I figured I must have missed something because it seems that everyone loves it. I still feel like I’m missing something. The storyline was good, but the mid-80’s effects and costumes didn’t hold up for me. It seems dated and corny. Even Bowie, who I idolize, was cringe worthy in some of the musical numbers. That may seem sacrilegious, seeing how iconic his role is, but try as I may, I just don’t see the greatness in Labyrinth.
9. Kelly Adams 06.04.17 / 5pm

   This was an amazing review of Labyrinth, a movie that is hard to describe and appreciate with words. I love your recall of your feelings of it as a child, and how they developed into mature appreciation as you became an adult. I had similar experiences with the movie, but they did not begin with much appreciation for the film. I first watched it when I was around 8 and other fantasy adventure movies I was watching at the time mostly included Disney fairytales. These films were high definition and brightly colored. When I watched Labyrinth I was slightly frightened by the goblins, and David Bowie’s ornate, eccentric appearance. Also the idea of being trapped in a maze did not aid in my appreciation of the film. However, one element of the movie stuck with me for the rest of my life and led me to watch it again later as an adult when I really came to appreciate it. The song “Magic Dance” was so catchy and fun and loved by all of my sisters. It would always be quoted by my older sisters and because I didn’t know many of the movies they watched it was fun to be included in the fun. When I watched the movie as an adult I too had a much more mature appreciation of the film and the wonder and creativity involved with it.
10. Berkelly Gonzalez 03.11.18 / 2pm

    Labyrinth is such a fun film, and like you say, it can be enjoyed both as a child and as an adult. One of my favorite aspects of the film is that the fantasy world that Sarah finds herself transported to is so lively due to Jim Hensen’s wonderful puppets. The plot and setting might be a little creepy, but the puppet designs do a fantastic part of balancing that out and keeping the film fun for younger audiences. In addition to the puppets, as an adult I have also come to appreciate the coming of age aspect of the movie that you mention, it helped the movie stay interesting as I grew older and could relate with the transition to adulthood that Sarah was going through. I had no idea that the movie had been a flop, that’s a little sad to hear as it really is fun to watch.
11. Colton Ingraham 11.08.18 / 11am

    I love Labyrinth, and your review does it justice. The captivation that you experience in this film is incredible; the sense of wonder and excitement is unparalleled. Yet you also do a really good job of describing the deeper elements of a coming of age story hidden in a nonsensical fantasy tale.
12. Shayla Adam 07.09.22 / 2pm

    Your review was written fantastically. Labyrinth is a great, imaginative movie. My mother grew up in love with the film, and shared her admiration for it with me as a child. I never knew the film actually lost profit; I had always assumed it was a high-concept film that many enjoyed. Your interpretation of the plot- Sarah growing up and leaving her childhood behind- is something I’ve never considered, but makes so much sense. I’m glad the director’s fantasy world of Labyrinth has been continued on in other sequels, although I haven’t seen them myself. It is nice knowing that their target audience has been reached, because the storyline really has so much to love about it. My favorite scene would have to be when Bowie is singing “Magic Dance” to baby Toby.

Home | SBCC | Class Schedule | Film and Media Studies

Contact: Prof. Nico MaestuCopyright 2007-24 Log in