Labyrinth (1986) Movie review

Labyrinth (1986) IMDB

Labyrinth (1986) movie poster

Jim Henson, Lucasfilm and David Bowie collaborated on this classic fantasy movie. A teenage girl (played by Jennifer Connelly) is angrily babysitting her younger baby brother when she wishes he would be taken away. The Goblin King (David Bowie) grants the wish and takes the brother in a classic case of be careful what you wish for. Her only way to get him back is to solve a Labyrinth in 13 hours or her brother will permanently become a goblin in this weird fantasy world. The film includes a wonderful tribute to MC Escher and tons of interesting puppets courtesy of Jim Henson, along with some musical numbers from David Bowie. The movie is a classic for a reason and if you see it while flipping channels (for those who still do that) you should stop and watch. So many interesting things to keep you interested.

The success of the movie led to spinoffs into other categories since the characters resonated so much with fans. I have reviewed the comics in this post: Maze Comic Book Reviews - Jim Henson's Labyrinth Comics. There have been 3 series from Boom! Studios in addition to the Marvel Comics 3 issue limited series from 1986. If you like the movie you will enjoy these, or if you just like comics the artwork is worth a look.

You can purchase Funko Pops of the biggest characters if that is more of your thing. Also, Jim Henson has a Labyrinth retail website that sells everything you can think of from the movie. Personally, I am a fan of the classic metal lunchboxes, but sadly, I do not need one.

I give the movie a 6.5/10. David Bowie’s hair gets a 9/10. David Bowie’s eyebrows get a 2/10.

Enjoy the MC Escher scene below, featuring David Bowie singing “Within You” along with the movie trailer below that.

Haunted Maze (2017) Movie Review

It’s time to review another Maze movie ! This one is a standard low budget horror film. Let’s get to it !

Haunted Maze (2017) (IMDB)

Haunted Maze (2017) movie poster

Clowns are scary. Unless they are in a movie that features bad acting a weak script and a low budget. Then clowns become a different kind of scary. We have all heard of b-list movies. But this one appears to have been made with an even lower budget. Maybe a d-list movie where everyone is paid in donuts for showing up each day ? Is that a thing ?

The Premise: A group of friends enter a Halloween maze run by traveling carnies somewhere in a small town in the Midwest. I feel like we have seen this before. Seems similar to The Funhouse Massacre that I reviewed previously. And it is, kind of, except without Robert Englund and with much, much worse acting. The story also takes place with a story structure that involves 2 police detectives interviewing Clancy the Clown who insists on rhyming everything he says. There is a haunted maze which got me interested in watching it. It was a mistake.

I would rate this a 2/10 with a strong avoid. Luckily it can be found for free on many streaming platforms, but take those 88 minutes and stab yourself with a butter knife instead. Or film yourself doing impossible shots or eating live bugs. Or go to the dentist. Anything but watching this. I will say that as of the time of this writing the film has less than 200 reviews on IMDB, a very low number but appropriate. Maybe we ARE all going to be ok.

The movie happens to make my list of 10 Unbelievably Bad Maze Movies to Never, Ever Watch at a very high spot.

Here is the trailer. And before watching it consider that this is supposed to get you excited to watch the other 87 minutes. This is the highlight reel of the movie…the advertising…the make them want to pay to see this….

It Chapter 2 (2019) Movie Review

It Chapter 2 (2019) IMDB

It Chapter 2 (2019) movie poster

The Losers Club is called home 27 years after their encounter with Pennywise in Derry, Maine. He seems to be in a very bad mood. Eventually we have a few characters stuck in a fun-house mirror maze with the sadistic clown Pennywise. And things get intense. Running in a mirror maze is a BAD IDEA. I’ve personally never tried running in a mirror maze, but I have walked through many, and I have walked into plenty of walls at slow speeds which I did not enjoy. This movie is all about the Losers Club facing off against Pennywise and trying to defeat him.

Based on the story by Stephen King (also author of the all-time great maze movie, The Shining). This movie is not as strong as the first installment, but Pennywise will still have you hating clowns and jumping from your seat at an unexpected moment. The ensemble cast includes Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy and Bill Hader. Of course Bill Skarsgård absolutely kills it in his portrayal of Pennywise.

I give it a 6/10.

In October 2025, It : Welcome to Derry debuted as a prequel television series on HBO Max to both It movies. Initial reviews are strong, with Bill Skarsgård returning in the role of Pennywise. The series takes place in Derry in 1962, before each of the first 2 films. It appears there will be a season 2 coming in 2027.

Check out the movie trailer:

The Labirynth (1971) Movie Review

Not to be confused with David Bowie and that sweet hair from Labyrinth. This is the animated story of the Greek myth done by Russian animators.

The Labirynth (1971) (IMDB)

The Labyrinth 1971 movie poster

This is the story of Theseus and his attempt to kill the Minotaur and then escape the maze in Crete. You might think I spelled this title incorrectly above because it clearly says The Labirynth and not The Labyrinth. That is almost the Polish spelling of the word if you drop the h from the end. Either way I checked it.

It’s odd watching Greek characters speak Russian even if you are reading the subtitles (SEE THE UPDATE BELOW). The animation is not Pixar or Disney, but I’m not sure what to expect from 1971. It’s not Hanna Barbara either. If you want a quick 20 minute version of the story….I guess it is ok, but only if your queue is empty. The real highlight comes just after the 8 minute mark when, while on the ship to Crete a Bollywood-like dance number breaks out ? Because ? Well I’m not exactly sure. It feels awkward to me in the movie. I would rate this movie a 5.7/10.

If you like this story I suggest you check out my Maze Comic Book Reviews - Theseus and the Minotaur that reviews 4 different comic book versions of the story ! There are so very good illustrations to go with the story you probably already know.

This movie is part of a series of Greek animated short films made in Russia: Prometheus (1974); Argonauts (1971); Perses (1973) and Return from Olympus (1969). Each is about 20 minutes long and well reviewed. All were directed by Aleksandra Snezhko-Blotskaya, who was born in Russia in a part of the country that is now in Ukraine….maybe. This may be a bad time to get into where this city is…

UPDATE: A version of the movie has been restored with English dubbing and is now posted onto YouTube. Notice it is titled Labyrinth and not Labirynth !! Enjoy ! I rewatched it and changed my review rating higher !