10 Favorite Fantasy Films
JB's Fantasy Movies
Sep 26 '03
The Bottom Line There really should be more Fantasy
movies that feature wizards, witches, fantastic cities in the sky.
When I think of Fantasy, I think of Magic. But I guess it does
not really have to be magic; some people would put Star Wars and Dune to be
Fantasy, but for me they are more Sci-Fi due to the spaceships and advance
technology. It's a fine line sometimes I think. Ok, here goes ... another list
... bent towards Fantasy.
Not in any order of merit:
1) Lord Of The Rings (all 3 of them, including the one not shown yet): 3 parts
of 1 great story. I remember reading the books all at one go, through the night,
when I was a teen. The movie versions are thankfully good. I think they have
managed to capture the essence and spirit of the books. A wonderful cast,
beautiful settings, wonderful sets, great FX.
2) Ladyhawke: A great love story. The premise of lovers always together but
forever apart. Michelle Pfeiffer is the hawk by day and woman by night, and
Rutger Hauer the man by day and wolf by night. Matthew Broderick does a comic
turn too. In the end the curse gets broken and the lovers get their revenge.
Sighhhhh.
3) Labyrinth: Before her stellar turn in A Beautiful Mind, the luscious Jennifer
Connelly was in this with David Bowie, who plays a goblin king. She has to
rescue her baby brother from his clutches. I love this movie because it has
oodles of imagination. It borrows lots of ideas, from Escher, from fairy tales,
children stories etc., but they all work well. My only gripe is a muppet song
sequence featuring fiery demons; I didn't like it.
4) The Dark Crystal: A Jim Henson movie. Not a human in sight, but colourful and
imaginative creatures. In the end good and evil come together in a most
interesting way and balance is restored.
5) The City Of Lost Children: Jean-Pierre Jeunet. A visual treat. Such
interesting characters. Assassin fleas. There isn't spells and magic in this
one, but it is certainly fantastical.
6) Harry Potter: I liked the both the movies and the books. Some have criticised
J.R.Rowling for borrowing heavily from fairy tales and children classics, but
who cares?!! She has pieced together a world where people fly around on
broomsticks, wave wands and fight mystical creatures, plus a cool story of a
geeky kid becoming a powerful wizard. Something us less-than-beautiful people
can identify with.
7) Naked Lunch: Boy, this movie is a mind-trip. Not surprising considering the
book was written in many a drug-induced haze. There's plenty of sexual innuendos
in there, though homophobes be warned, you may want to skip this one. But if you
can put aside prejudices, it's surprisingly endearing.
8) The Company of Wolves: I remember this as The Company of Werewolves, perhaps
they have changed the title. It's an interesting movie that borrows from tale of
The Little Red Riding Hood, but cleverly mixes in legends of werewolves and
fairy tales. The cautionary tale against straying from the path is expanded into
a tale of growing up, finding yourself, taking risks, losing your virginity.
Sensual, with stunning visuals.
9) Conan The Barbarian / Conan The Destroyer: Arnold, rippling muscles, in a
loin cloth: not a pretty sight. Nevertheless he was right for the role. The
first had a black villainous warlock that can turn into a snake. The second had
the beautiful and regal Sara Douglas as an evil queen. Lots of magic and special
effects.
10) Krull: Simple story, but I like the characters. Favourite is The Widow Of
The Web, an old crone who resides in a ball of spiderweb guarded by a giant
spider. She becomes young again when her true love visits. Pity about the music.
Others who should be on the list (and is sometimes, depending on my mood):
Willow: My problem with this one is that I always have to be reminded about the
plot!
Jason & the Argonauts: an oldie but goodie. A re-run that you can stomach.
Clash of the Titans: Great special effects. Harry Hamlin sexy as hell. Medusa
"improved" with a snake's body.
Dragonheart: A great story. Great visuals. A hip dragon.
The Wizard Of Oz: Flying monkeys!!!!
Babarella: This might be Sci-Fi to some. But I'm going to sneak this in. The
labyrinth in this is kinda wild.
