Jim Henson has created some of the most amazing film of modern fantasy history. While he's known for creating Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy, he has made a significant contribution to advancing fantasy in film using his Muppets.

The Muppets are easy characters to use in fantasy films because they can look like anything. Who can forget the giant Ludo in Labyrinth or the Gelflings of the Dark Crystal. Henson may have created some of the most beloved characters in children's television, but stories like Dark Crystal are steeped with themes made for an adult.

Labyrinth was a mix of both. It was fun and adventurous, but also had some complexities that a child wouldn't understand. Kids are laughing at the cool characters and fun songs. Mom loves David Bowie's exaggerated package and dad thinks its just fun.

Henson always had a flair for fantasy in such creations as Fraggle Rock and The Storyteller series. All of these were based on an elaborate fantasy environment where the main characters were mostly Muppets. It didn't matter if they had basic looks like Fraggles or intricate and obviously expensive looks like those in Labyrinth.

When he died, his son tried to continue to tradition and has made many films using classic Muppet Characters, but non have rivaled the depth and obvious love for the genre like his father. There is another Dark Crystal under development and I can't help but wonder how it will stack up against the original.