Classic 80s fantasy film...
598594
As good as I remembered it! Watch it with my 10years old son and he also loved it. "Never give up, and good luck will find you" - Falkor
4155243
I originally saw this movie in the theatre with my [young] daughter in 1982. At the time, it represented a technical triumph of some significance. Others have discussed ad nauseum the story line... which, as a fantasy buff, I do find satisfying. However, as a movie collector, this film represents first use technology and technique... it is an important addition to any collection from this perspective alone.
4041384
Fantastic childhood classic - dark, gorgeous, very 80's. If you loved the Neverending Story, Labyrinth, Ladyhawk - you're going to love this.
Pacing is a little slow at times (everything seems to have been slower in the 80's:) but very mesmerizing and atmospheric.
3249575
A well done (for TV) video version of the classic fantasy book by Madeleine L'Engle.  Do read the book first!
1412077
Story, acting and camera work still hold up. The soundtrack however is unpardonably 80s and makes it seem a bit dated. Still, a classic.
2442980
What word do you use when "classic" just doesn't quite cut it? Whatever it is it must be used to describe this film. Sure, its dated, made in the early 80's when both Debbie Harry and Cheap Trick were at their zenith (if you say you're a Cheap Trick fan these days people either look at you with blank faces, having not heard of them, or they laugh, ridiculing your taste in music...even so, I'm proud to admit they're my all-time faves). Of course, this movie isn't about them, or even "made" by their musical appearences, but it would have been so much poorer without them, as well as Lou Reed, Iggy Pop and Earth, Wind and Fire. What I'm trying to say in a round about way is, if you like animated film as opposed to cartoons, and ones that are very different to the norm, you just have to see this one. Heck, its a great story of the battle between Good and Evil too, what more do you want? Original too.

I first saw this movie way back in the late 80's...now, I live in Australia so even today only the single-disc version is available (and its region 1 which is odd as we use region 4!) I loved it from the first viewing, vowing to tape it next it was on. Needless to say, due to the time it was shown (usually around 2am) I never managed to do that. It had been about 10 years since  I last saw it to when it arrived in my mail box after ordering it on Amazon...and it went straight in the DVD player!

It wasn't quite as fantastic as I'd remembered it, but what is? It still grabbed me, just not as strongly. And I had a great feeling of accomplishment, that I finally had it! And the 2 disc edition too!

Now, if you're trying to decide which edition to spend your hard-earned on, well it depends on one thing...if you just wanna see it again, or if you're a bit of a completist and have to have the other, original version (which is of fairly poor quality due to the fact the original negatives were destroyed some years ago). If its the latter, buy the 2 disc, there's some great bonus stuff. If the former, the 2 disc would be good for you but isn't needed.

Yes, it is dated. Yes, its a little primitive, though it does feature some remarkable animation techniques for its time and budget...not to mention that just the fact it was released at all is testimony to the determination of its creative and production teams. The world would have been much poorer without it.

For parents wondering if its suitable for their younguns...well, no....sure, while there is no swearing or real violence, it is an adult concept, and would therefore be fairly boring for kids.....just as some animated movies are today (the Incredibles for example, nothing really bad in it, just not aimed at the child audience - though you wouldn't know it from the merchendising), in other words its aimed at us, the big kids.

If you can handle listening to classic 80's rock performers, have a distaste for the generic disney style of animation, and have a love of the genre....GET THIS MOVIE! You will not regret it!
4866487
I don't think there can be any doubt that this movie perfectly captures the essence of what it means to have been a child of the eighties.  Here in abundance are the spunky characters, the bright colours, the deliciously cheezy music and the bright-eyed idealism that characterized so many eighties cartoons.
Adorable heroine Rainbow Brite is on a mission- to defeat the Dark Princess (a villainess characterized by her terrible vanity and selfishness, as well as a dislike for children), who is out to steal the diamond-planet Spectra, the very light of the universe.  The resulting adventure is a cheery, kid-friendly version of the classic fantasy- the quest, the small-but-determined heroes, the wise mentor, the struggle of good versus evil- that crosses the universe and brings together an impressive array of heroes and villains, both big and small.
All of the well-loved characters from the television series are here, from Rainbow's faithful horse Starlite to lovable bumbling badguys Murky and Lurky, as well as all of the colour kids, Twink the sprite and Earth-boy Brian, plus an assortment of terrific new characters.
An old favourite of all eighties children, the re-release of this movie couldn't have been timed better.  We're all on the verge of being grownups now, and hungry for reaffirmation of the things we once believed, the things that, somewhere inside, we believe still- that we really can defeat evil with only imagination and teamwork as our weapons, and that we can deal with anything in the world, so long as we have light and beauty around us.
Not only a nostalgia piece, Rainbow Brite and the Star Stealer is filled with all of the adventure, music, and imagination that make a great children's movie- even for those who are too young to remember the cartoon.
3040218
Well, way back in 1977(pre-Peter Jackson/Lord of the Rings),came this great Ralph Bakshi tale of good vs. evil in a post-apocalyptic world of fairies, dwarfs, mutants and a pair of polar opposite brothers- Wizards: Avatar and Blackwolf... Avatar "The Great" along with the help of a small band of trusted followers try to defeat the evil Blackwolf(a very mutated and "Hitler-esque" dictator) who trys to destroy what's left of civilization to make his mutants,monsters and ghastly army control over Montagar- the only good land left on the planet. This entertaining and at times,quite humorous view of the human condition is a fun view for anyone who enjoys animation or the whole "Lord of the Rings" vibe ! This film has a great supporting cast/voices, most notable is the very sexy fairie Princess Elinore, as well as assasin robot Necron 99, whom Avatar captures and renames Peace !  This movie is quite nostalgic for me personally, and I hope you give it a chance... I highly recommend this one !!!  A++++
1720682
Cool sci-fi flick, family friendly, lots of work was put into the set and costumes. Cast, acting, dialogue, visuals and plot are quite interesting, but only for someone who enjoys fantasy films. No blood, no nudity, no cursing, clean for daytime TV, offers some philosophical perspectives. Fun to watch for teens and adults who can still feel like a kid.
158022
my sister and I loved this film as children... as any Disney film it teaches positive values to anyone watching... granted the verbiage is a bit outdated, but it's from 1946!!!! ignore the possibibility of political incorrectness and allow future generations to enjoy this movie for what it is.... nothing more than a wonderful fantasy tale that teaches and entertains!!!
1103413
This 1986 Disney film was inspired and one of Disney's best from the 80s.  The film is loosely based on Eve Titus's book "Basil of Baker Street," which recounts the adventures of a mouse living just adjacent the domicile of the incomparable Sherlock Holmes.  Disney concocts a bona fide mystery with a couple of stellar talents to voice the characters.

Professor Ratigan (voiced by veteran Vincent Price) has developed a plan to replace the Mouse Queen (Eve Brenner).  However, Ratigan needs the abilities of Hiram Haversham (Alan Young) to make his plan work.  When Fidget (Candy Candido) kidnaps Hiram Haversham, he overlooks young Olivia Haversham (Suzanne Pollatschek).  Olivia attempts to engage Basil (Barry Ingham), who is much like Sherlock Holmes, to find and save her father.

Basil and sidekick Dr. John Watson (Laurie Main) are soon on the hunt, aided by a hound and Olivia.  Basil and company soon discover Ratigan's evil plot in a rousing adventure that is sure to delight nearly every member of the family.

This movie is quite interesting.  I enjoyed the voice cameo by the late Basil Rathbone, who many consider the definitive Sherlock Holmes.  This movie maintains a quick pace and is sufficiently mysterious that even mystery buffs may enjoy it.

I did have one problem with this movie.  Basil smokes.  I realize that in that era many people did smoke, but when I saw Basil smoking, particularly in a Disney movie, I realized how much times have changed in the decades since this movie was made.  Perhaps you should watch this movie with your children and remind them that smoking is an unhealthy habit, and people in those days had yet to realize how nasty it was.

Other than that one difficulty, I highly recommend this movie.  Enjoy!
923612
I remember this film from when I was a kid.  Why the outrageous price?!?!?  Dont be silly.  It'll be on DVD soon, so be realistic.

Okay.  We have another Lovecraftian tale.  Not a true adaption by any means, mind you, but a close shave, all the same.  It hints at a pre-human earth ruled by evil creatures, who have tried to control modern man with telepathy.  That's sure HPL stuff I ever heard it.

Aside from having cheesy old-school effects, the story is very strong and most defintely worth a watch.

I'd wait until the pirce comes down before buying though.
990898
Ok sooo my brother and I used to watch this move some 23 years ago almost every weekend at a community rec center.  By sheer chance the idea of this movie popped into my head and after a short search I am glad to have found this copy.  Do NOT be alarmed by the cover art- as others have said, it has nothing to do with the movie.  The film is Japanese animation from the 70's and as can be seen by the classic style.

 Also let me say this- the first 2 minutes the video tracking and sound are screwy... BUT this is from the master copy as my brother and I CLEARLY remember the VHS tape doing the same crap back in 1987-88.  The rest of the movie is pristine and what is missing at the beginning is not needed to enjoy the rest of the film.

 I bought this so that my niece and nephew could see a fun cartoon and at the same time allow myself a nice walk down memory lane.  Well worth the minimal coin I had to shell out.
4252776
I saw this movie as a young teen when it was brought back to the big screen in the 80's.  It's such a beautiful classic!  Maybe the story is not the modern woman image I want to impress upon my granddaughters, but I'm a sucker for a true fairy tale.  It still opens talking points for mothers and stepmothers to relate to their daughters.  Still just as visually stunning as more modern CGI movies, but with the softer hand drawn touch.  The little girls in my life still want to feel like princesses and drive four wheelers and do gymnastics and whatever comes into their adrenaline junkie heads.
2454026
Ms Cooper wrote a classic. An enchanting tale, very magical and although pure fantasy it had an inner logic. With many pointers to old legends, myth and lore, it was a great story of good versus evil and wisdom versus ambition.

I still believe that this series is a perfect script for a trilogy of movies, but somehow, in trying to make it a single movie and more "modern", the director managed to lose almost all magic.

It still has good moments and it's perfectly capable of entertaining a family for a couple of hours, but the odds are that this isn't a film you will remember fondly.

The action scenes are quite weak and the characters are substantially different than originally imagined...but this could be forgiven if it benefited the story. But unfortunately it became much more childish and nave.

There are fine interpretations, a fine Viking raid (the reenactors are very good), very good scenery and on location props, good FX, decent featurettes...it has so many merits that it would be so easy to make this film memorable. But it is just...average...without magic.
2429177
For a cheesy early 80's film, it is pretty good.  Michael Ironside is a very underrated actor.  He is always so good.  I've been wanting this movie for years and finally bought it.  It is a very good premise for a movie.  If you can get past the dated-ness of the movie, it is a keeper.
101967
Such a sweet movie from the 80's!  Excellent fairy tale about two lovers who struggle to overcome an evil curse.  The soundtrack is fantastic set against the icy backdrop of the woods and mountains.  Matthew Broderick is great in all his adolescent cuteness, and craftiness.  Rutger Hauer is great as the mysterious, black-clad chevalier as he ardently seeks to break the curse that prevents he and his beloved lady (Michelle Pfeiffer) from being together in love and harmony.
I'm glad I purchased this movie