Tonight's marathon is the beginning of a three week story arc of going on an adventure. Each week the adventures get bigger and bolder starting with this one. This weeks adventures begin with some of the most iconic adventure/fantasy films from the 1980's. The 80's were a great time for filmmaking in terms of music because the instruments they used make the sheer power of the music stand out to this day. We have on our menu for this evening:
The Neverending Story 1984, Legend 1985, The Princess Bride 1987, and Labyrinth 1986
There's a saying that goes "From the smallest beginnings come the greatest legends."That's exactly what this lineup represents, and also is a strong beginning for what's to come in the weeks ahead. The 80's handled the fantasy theme in a darker mystifying tone compared to the hardcore realism that today's adventure films represent. The first film of the evening is The Neverending Story. In this film, a troubled boy dives into a fantasy world through the pages of a mysterious book. The birth of the theme of a person going into another world in a fantasy fashion begins right here. This film is followed by Ridley Scott's post Blade Runner epic titled Legend. In this film, Tom Cruise plays a young teenager who must stop the lord of darkness from destroying daylight and marrying the woman he loves. This movie connects perfectly with The Princess Bride, which deals with a grandfather reading a book to his ill grandson. The character of Falk assures his weary romantic grandson that the book has more to deliver than just a love story. He mentions fencing, fighting, torture, death, true love, giants, and pirates. Cary Elwes gives an iconic performance that serves as a wonderful prelude to his role in Robin Hood: Men in Tights. The final film of the evening brings the first adventure night to a stunning conclusion with Jim Hensen's 1986 fantasy epic Labyrinth. One of the most iconic films of the 1980's and a star vehicle for David Bowie, Labyrinth tells the story of a young girl played by Jennifer Connolly, entering the world of her own creation to save her baby brother whose been taken by the evil king played by David Bowie. While entering the world of her first creation, she experiences her beginning awareness to love, duty, and danger. All of these films combined together show off how stylish and creative fantasy films were made in the 1980's. The visuals played secondary to the compelling stories that made audiences engulfed in thee worlds. It's a strong beginning to what promises to be an amazing month of adventure marathons.
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