Labyrinth 35th Anniversary 4K Ultra Edition: Should You Buy It?
Released in 2021, the Labyrinth 35th Anniversary Edition comes with a lot of balls bells and whistles. Should you add yet another copy of the Jim Henson classic to your library?
Yes, I’m a little late to the party, but thanks to the mask wearing event we were all forced to attend, one without Goblin Kings or drugged peaches, I got a little behind.
The Great
The DVD case looks exactly like Sarah’s copy of “The Labyrinth” that she carries with her in the beginning of the film. Inside, you get more than the discs.
The book really is a book, featuring script pages and Brian Froud’s artwork.
The picture quality on the 4K blew me away. I’ve seen this movie over 300 times (yes, I’m that big of a fan) and I was seeing details I never noticed before; it’s that much sharper.
The movie is even glittery-er than you thought.
You’ll find more ties to Sarah’s room via small details and topiary
The color is gorgeous; the ballroom scene is even more sumptuous, for example. Sarah’s dress is even more amazing, too.
There are also original theatrical trailers, and documentaries galore.
You can also view commentary as picture in picture.
The Even More Great
There is additional, lost and never before seen footage in the Special Features!
Viewers can choose to watch these scenes either with or without Brian Henson’s commentary.
Do watch both versions.
And tjere are screen tests from other actresses for the role of Sarah.
Let me just say thank God that Jennifer got the role.
The Not So Great
To see the additional footage and screen tests, you must have a 4K Ultra HD™️ compatible player. It is only available on that disc, although the standard Blu-Ray does have the rest of the extras. I wasn’t aware of this when I ordered it.
Of course, I also wasn’t aware that my Panasonic player was a 4K, either, until I dejectedly ejected the standard Blu-Ray via remote, after scrolling through the menu and not seeing the additional footage listed, and looking down on my player and actually seeing the 4K logo as I took the disc out.
(Here’s a tip-if you, like me, want to watch your Blu-Rays on repeat, Panasonic is the only brand I’ve found that has that feature.)
This edition is getting harder and harder to find; buying it right now is the surest way to not miss out, or pay crazy prices on the secondary market.
So, Is It Worth It?
That’s going to be a resounding yes, if you’re anywhere near the fan I am, or just a movie nerd that likes to know everything about how movies like Labyrinth are made.
It should go without saying that this is also a must for any Jim Henson, David Bowie, or Jennifer Connelly fan-but I’m saying it anyway.
Even without owning a 4K, this is still a great buy; as I mentioned before, there are plenty of extras on the standard Blu-Ray.
Happy viewing!
Oh, and should you wish yourself into solving a Labyrinth, just remember:
- Go in the opposite direction any tea swilling worms tell you to go(or at least ask why not go in the direction he tells you not to)
- Don’t accept peaches from helpful Hogwarts Higgles Hoggles.
- If the Helping Hands ask you “Which way,” GO BACK UP
- The line you keep forgetting is “You have no power over me”
- Or just stop and get me; I’ll probably be helpful.
