Labyrinth

I loved this movie. And really what is there not to like. David Bowie, puppets, musical numbers, a fantastical quest, all very fabulous.  The spiritual education genre is defined as tales that are meant to instruct and enlighten typically younger audiences.  Sarah, the female protagonist of the film does go through a spiritual journey and is educated about growing up along the way. She first is shown as this selfish young girl giving up her baby brother for her old life back and then ends up being proposed to essentially by David Bowie’s character, as she becomes a young adult.  The educational journey is literally riddled with puns and puzzles that push her in either the right or sometimes very wrong direction. Misconceptions and judgments guide her decisions at first around the Labyrinth until she takes charge her self of where she is going and starts to get a bit more creative in her thinking.  Labyrinth is a film that can be enjoyed by both the younger generation as well as the older, who can appreciate the innuendos and references to adult life more (such as drug use etc.) Jim Henson does a wonderful job at conveying the different creatures in all areas of the journey be them sinister or otherwise. Often we notice that the creatures simply appear confused or bewildered as to what they are meant to be doing. It is not necessarily their fault that they are not adept enough to help Sarah find her way. Also we see the fear that governs character like Hoggle, controlled by the Goblin King. Spiritual Education often has a theme of control and how it has to change hands for the protagonist to complete their Journey. Sarah is initially helpless and confused but becomes strong and determined. She is able to play the game so to speak and we see this when she and Ludo are attempting to cross over the bridge and the bridge master says something along the lines of no one can pass here with out my permission. To which Sarah responds can we have your permission? And it is granted.  Sarah’s spiritual education is concluded with the return home along with her younger brother after having grown up and learned her lesson along the way. Be careful what you wish for.