Labyrinth
Posted by David N. Guy | June 30, 2010 | Comments Off
Part of BBC 4′s current Summer of Remakes series, this re-imaging of the popular 1980s childen’s film is strangely disquieting. Although not the most mis-judged of their remakes (Steptoe and Son featuring Matt Berry – as Son – and Brian Blessed – as Steptoe – takes that accolade), there is something wildly inappropriate about the whole endeavour.
Replacing the controversially extravagant sexuality of David Bowie’s Goblin King with a strange stop-motion-esque performance by Radiohead’s Thom Yorke removes much of the tension and subtext of the drama, leaving us with nothing much beyond the glossy but superficial surface of the story about a girl entering a maze in search of her younger brother Toby, a midget who has been given a Muppet head to wear.
Labyrinth is broadcast at 9PM on BBC 4 tonight, and is also repeated throughout the week.