The doll film Dark Crystal in 1982 was a strange fairy tale that bewitched some and did not pass the attention of others. The simplest linear quest "Come and report", which is clearly far from the execution of Tolkien, could not ensure the history of its longevity. It was in that extraordinary world, the window into which only opened for an hour and a half that had passed unnoticed, and in that yawning inefficiency that inevitably required filling. That must be why in 2019, with the participation of a group of fans of the original film and Lisa Henson, the daughter of its main puppeteer and director, a ten-part series called “Dark Crystal: The Age of Resistance” appeared.
Formally, the series can be attributed to prequels and fan fiction. Without clarifying the plot and past of the heroes of the full-length progenitor, it gives the opportunity to once again enjoy the alien landscapes of Tra and get acquainted with its exotic inhabitants. What is it? The crystal is already damaged, but the Helfling civilization has not yet died. The mysterious race, once arrived from space, has already divided into hermits-mystics and parasites-skexis. The world is in decline, but it seems to all reasonable that its life force is still at its zenith. Awareness of the near tragedy is available to the viewer and a few seers, but not the bulk of the characters. The Gelflings have learned that the divine skexis is evil and mortal, and are preparing a massive uprising. They hope that everything can be easily fixed.
Surprisingly, in the modern series, dolls are still used, as close as possible to those “muppets” and animatronics of Jim Henson. Computer graphics only added to their lives, working on facial expressions, fine motor skills, flights and battle scenes. Nice addition to the old tradition! Long-lived skexis are recognizable up to the published sounds, they are only slightly rejuvenated. All the creatures created for the 1982 film have been transferred to the series. Many new representatives of flora and fauna have been created, and most of them do not stand out from the general style. Somewhat strange look intelligent arachnid craboids, but their existence was explained in the plot. Landscapes, also improved on the computer, gained movement, depth and credibility.
Tra, deserted and almost lifeless in the old film (with the exception of rare oases and the final scene), here the variety and quirkiness of forms resembles the jungle of South America or the Carboniferous period in the history of the Earth. Some features of the structure of living things and their movements suggest that everything can happen on the bottom of the ocean or in a world with a much denser atmosphere than the Earth. Gelflings are divided into several “clans” or rather races, differing in appearance, culture and habitat. All of them are matriarchal and united on the principle of polis ancient Greece (up to the rivalry of Athens and Sparta). Podlings lost their caricature parallelism with the Slavic peoples. Skexies, mystics and Mother Ogra have moved into the ranks of acting characters.
The series features several branching and overlapping storylines tied to groups of Helflings, Mother Ogra, and Skeksis. The lines of gelflings are simple, but they cannot be called childish: they are terrible fairy tales without banknotes, in which, in addition to love and friendship, there is betrayal, curse and death. Skexy, unfortunately, is just a cliché of villains from American cartoons and comedies. Ogra's mother resembles itinerant martial arts teachers from comedy action films co-produced by the US and China. I want to note the independence of the plot and images of the series. Easily recognizable elements of cult films, book bestsellers of the fantasy genre and popular computer games. Most likely, the priority here is the detailing of the world of Tra, and the plot carries only an auxiliary function.
The story remained unfinished, shattered somewhere near the climax. The forces gathered and found polarity, the first large-scale clash took place, the world of Black and White disintegrated into shades, the secret meaning of Prophecy was revealed and the perfect weapon was created. Suddenly, the electricity was cut off and the audience was left to clap their eyes in complete darkness. The creators of the series were counting on a second season and even mentioned it in an interview, but something went wrong. There are rumors that they and Netflix have some disagreements. I want to believe that they will be settled – but experience suggests that this will not happen. So far, substitutes are being offered in the near future: video games and fan fiction. Alas, the precedent with the animated series Pirates of Dark Water: The Saga Begins (1991-1993) showed the failure of such a replacement.
In 1982, Jim Henson founded the company. Jim wanted to develop puppet animation. The same Jim Henson who created The Muppet Show.
In the same year, the puppet film Dark Crystal was released. The action takes place in a fantasy world. It is ruled by skexis - eerie creatures that resemble birds. To fight them will be the last of the race of selflings, they look like elves.
The film has a lot of fans. Animatronic dolls transported the viewer of the 80s to a fairy-tale world that did not want to leave. Especially since in “Dark Crystal” the authors left many unfinished plot moves.
Simon Pegg recalled watching Dark Crystal in the same theater as Star Wars and Indiana Jones, and the film impressed him.
For a long time, screenwriter David Odell dreamed of making a sequel. But it didn't add up. As a result, in 2017, so that the script did not disappear, it was decided to release the comic book “The Power of the Dark Crystal”, which continues the plot of the film.
In 2017, Jim Henson sold the project to Netflix. Once funding was found, it was decided to make a prequel to “Dark Crystal”.
Director Louis Leterrier insisted that if you shoot the series, it is only puppet. Drawn on a computer, the inhabitants of the magical world of Tra will erase the whole idea of Henson. After all, Jim wanted to develop exactly puppet animation.
- “I love CGI, but we won’t use it,” Louis said.
Using computers still had to resort, but only for some scenes with the flights of the Helflings and for editing.
- We want not only to please old fans, but also to get new ones, the authors of the series emphasized, children in our time have forgotten about puppet cartoons. Dolls will run, jump, fly and cry.
I must say that for almost forty years animatronic dolls have changed a lot. Now you need fewer people to control the doll, and it has become easier to move the dolls.
One of the producers was Lisa Henson, the current head of Jim Henson’s company.
For Netflix, the project was risky. Puppet animation is a step into the unknown. Here are computer cartoons love everyone, but will it be possible to win the favor of viewers from animatronics?
In 2019, the screens connected to Netflix, released “Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance”. Ten hour series.
The adviser to the Skexi Emperor was voiced by Simon Pegg. Scientist of Skexis by Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker).
The team working on the cartoon managed to preserve the spirit of “Dark Crystal”, and thanks to modern technologies, the viewer has the effect of full immersion in the world of Tra. Something similar was in "Avatar" with the Na'vi culture.
The series was well received by fans, and critics liked it. Unfortunately, there was no agreement on the second season. Netflix did not extend the “Age of Resistance.”
Brian Henson and Lisa Henson continue the work of their father. In 2021, the same Netflix will release a puppet cartoon “Pinocchio” under the leadership of Guillermo del Toro.
Jim Henson's company is one of the producers. So puppet animation doesn't think of leaving our computerized world. Henson's case lives on.
Jim Henson is another underrated animation author. 'The Dark Crystal' is something special that cannot be compared. The unique atmosphere of a fairy tale, and something so elusive, unearthly.
37 years later, the series on the cult film, the development of which is controlled by the daughter of Jim Henson. And now, while Disney dominates the remakes, Netflix allocates a budget for a really special and original project. After the authors realized that they would not be able to preserve the doll magic that surrounded the film Henson, they abandoned the computer animation that they planned to use initially, and decided to do everything entirely by hand. And Netflix went for it, providing everything necessary.
I watched a documentary about this series, and I can say that the project was put a titanic work. Animatronics, dolls, environment, graphics – all this was done at the highest level by masters of their craft. You have never seen anything like this before.
In general, the visual component here is inventive and truly breakthrough. But also about the plot, there is also something to discuss.
And the first thing that distinguishes ' Dark Crystal' from other cartoons, in addition to the visual and atmosphere, is its completely unchildish cruelty. The stakes increase with each series, and the position of the main characters gets worse and worse. Villains here cause real hatred, but in places they still look funny, you just listen to them argue with each other at the table. Disgusting and at the same time comic
Skexy is quite worthy to take the place of the best villains in the movie. The way they massacre the poor Gelflings looks very serious and not childish at all. Although on the other hand, children are now raised on too rainbow cartoons, and the creators believe that pulling a child out of the comfort zone is sometimes useful.
But in addition to the villains, in this dark fantasy there are their direct antipodes - the bright sides of Skexy - Mysticism. These are good creatures who seek to restore order in the world, and wait for the right moment to restore balance.
So the world is on the verge of destruction. And all because the Scakes exploit the Crystal for their own purposes. The Gelflings, the indigenous people of this planet, worship villains and consider them their protectors. But the main characters notice the deception and set themselves the goal of revealing the truth to their peoples, and unite everyone to fight this threat. But it's not that easy. People do not like each other, and the cult of personality makes itself felt.
Skexy, meanwhile, also weave intrigue, and at some point the plot really reminds ' Game of Thrones' which the creators were partly inspired by.
The series keeps the tension, frightening and surprising. Three little Gelflings - the main characters of this story - attracts attention from the first series. The plot is very well presented, the lines of these characters first go parallel, and then slowly begin to intertwine, about as in the new ' The Witcher' from Netflix.
'Dark Crystal' is - like Jim Henson's original project - a truly unique thing. The series retains the unique atmosphere of the film, and greatly expands the universe adding to its scale and epic.
The whole world of Tra caused me admiration and indescribable delight! The beauty of the world is simply fascinating by the elaboration of all the details.
Oh, it's kind of a unique masterpiece. A doll show with a computer. Graphics with a very well-developed world, the development of characters and a beautiful plot, heroes for whom you worry, jokes from which you laugh,
What are sled animals worth? Stingrays, fleas on high legs! And the unique wild cats-balls, Almodra, Ogra, Archer, Sacred Tree?
Skexies look frightening, but when you get closer they cause persistent disgust, but also curiosity, so their line of development was especially interesting to watch, no less interesting than the main characters. Now I know what the most disgusting, evil and disgusting creatures in the universe look like! As soon as the earth holds such creatures: power-hungry, cruel, for whom nothing is sacred, ruthless, abusing their position and power.
The world is so rich that it is amazing to imagine, the plot is partly unpredictable, there are no boring series or empty dialogues. The world of Tra has a special philosophy, touched on many themes of growing up, “fathers and children”, problems with understanding, problems of race.
The series has a rating of +7 due to the lack of blood. But in fact, this extremely dark fairy tale with elements of violence, there is a lot of drama in the form of murders and terrible scenes with torture.
Definitely Dark Crystal is the best thing that came out in 2019. No analogues. Besides, this is from the author who created the old movie Labyrinth (adored by many). Decent work that you need to pay attention to, but unfortunately designed for amateurs. She came out with Carnival Rowe and went unnoticed and underrated because of it. I'm looking forward to season two.
Another confirmation of the splendor of puppet animation
How long has the world not seen quality fantasy? Somewhere since Season 4 'Game of Thrones'. We finally got a decent new job. Which is also a puppet cartoon, which allows you to throw a couple of points in advance. But in the case of this work, it is not even necessary, because he copes with 'ura' without additional concessions;.
There is so much to say about how amazing the world is. Here even the smallest and insignificant element is thoroughly worked out and made with great love. Decorations, puppets, a variety of locations and characters, wild animals. Before the eyes of the viewer there is a huge world of Tra, which is admired throughout the ten episodes. Its beauty is fascinating. Every second, every doll is a small masterpiece.
We also have a great story. Who was there wondering where Game of Thrones escaped from 'Game of Thrones'? Most likely in 'Dark Crystal'. Palace intrigues, manipulations, a gloomy and pressing atmosphere, betrayals, distrust, danger lurking around every corner - all this is here.
What characters! Especially memorable are the cunning Treasurer with his eternal 'Hmmm...', the creepy Hunter, the brave Diet, the funny Hap, the sweet Bray. Heretic had a very vivid image. The rest are good too.
There is only one question for the series. Netflix has a rating of 7+, but the content of the episodes is very dark and depressing, everywhere the viewer is haunted by an atmosphere of loss of hope, there is a decent number of terrible scenes with torture and murder. Yes, even the images of skexis are frightening. But it's nothing. It is even more pleasing that at least someone in this world is not afraid to talk to children in an adult language.
The show is great. Definitely one of the best projects that came out in 2019. Decent work that you need to pay attention to.
P.S. And also, knowing how Tra meets us in the original film, very much looking forward to the new season and the local & #39; Revenge of the Sith & #39; with magic and dolls.
The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance — a masterpiece that will suit children and adults
Greetings to all concerned about my writings and my opinion. Today we have a unique project, about which I wrote in the collection “What to pay attention to in August”. And I did! You won't believe it, but I would never have paid attention to fantasy puppets before. But it was the dolls and the rich universe that caught my eye. In addition, “The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance” is a prequel to the original 1982 film “The Dark Crystal”, which became a cult film.
The creator of The Dark Crystal is the late Jim Henson, who, if I'm not mistaken, had a hand in the characters of Sesame Street. Well, he helped create Frank Oz. And now, 37 years later, one of the producers of the prequel becomes Jim’s daughter Lisa Henson, and the director’s chair is occupied by Louis Leterrier, who has a good track record. To all this is added a powerful acting cast, which was a pleasure to listen, if you watch in the original.
The action takes place in a magical world called Tra. At the heart of Tra is the Truth Crystal, which is the heart and source of the life of Tra. There are more than 70 different creatures on the planet, but the most basic are the Gelflings. They are divided into 7 clans and live in different parts of Tra. And then one day, from another universe, terrible creatures come - Skexy.
It may seem simple and childish (rated 7+), but it is deceptive. The puppet show was so grim and violent that I’m not sure if it’s okay for children as young as seven. Violent scenes of murder, punishment and plot drama made my heart shrink. To the classic battle of good and evil added themes of egocentrism, racial and social inequality, trust and lies.
All of this turned out to be a great satirical tale, with a slight bias towards the political part. You might even draw an easy parallel to George Orwell’s Animal Farm, if you’ve read it. Based on this, we can conclude that this puppet fantasy will be interesting for absolutely all age categories.
As for the visual part, everything looks amazing. The creators did a great job of designing dolls. Each character has its own facial expressions and its own face. They don't look alike. Due to this, by the middle of the series, it is already difficult to imagine that these are ordinary dolls that were made by hand. And about the scenery in the form of halls, different rooms and plants, I am generally silent. And it was all done by hand.
The musical component was also not ignored. The beautiful soundtrack and sounds of nature are written so harmoniously that at some point you merge with this world and feel like a full member of this world. And for the voiceover of the characters were such actors as: Taron Edgerton (Kingsman franchise), Anya Taylor-Joy (Peaky Blinders, Split, Glass), Natalie Emmanuel (Game of Thrones, Maze Runner, Furious) and many others, you can not list all. Therefore, I advise you to watch only in the original, although there is a Russian dubbing.
Of course, about all the subtleties of the plot, numerous characters and the rich world of Tra, I can not tell, because there will not be enough time, but I will give some figures. The series involved more than 170 puppets, 83 puppeteers and 59 voice actors, and over 2,500 people worked on the project. The scale is colossal, but the final result was above all praise.
Even if you're not into fantasy and dolls like me, I still recommend watching. Because there are no analogues and I do not know if there will be in the near future. But I’m looking forward to the second season and of course I’ll be watching the original film and a separate film about the creation of the series later.
10 out of 10
How long have I been waiting for a show that will surprise me? No, there are many high-quality and expensive series, but this series is a unique product. The people who created it did so with great love and respect for the original 1982 film.
I felt like I had become a doll myself. I was made to laugh at underlings, empathize with selflings, fear creepy skekxis. Now I know what the most disgusting, vicious and disgusting creatures in the universe look like! The world has not yet known creatures more power-hungry, cruel and ruthless than skexis. Even the most notorious villain of “Game of thrones” in comparison to them seems harmless child.
Despite the fact that the series was made with the help of puppets, I was able to believe in this fantasy world. All thanks to the fact that the creators were attentive to the details. Interesting flora and fauna, beautiful landscapes, philosophy of tra. All this merged into a single picture of this fictional world.
I sincerely hope there will be a second season. In the meantime, I will put the first season without any hesitation.
10 out of 10
The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance is a member of the now-dead puppet film genre. But, consonant with modern trends, it is a prequel to The Dark Crystal (1982). It makes no sense to compare them because of the time. So let's get to the details.
What a strange feeling I had all season: I wanted to forgive the weakness of the script, predictability, flaws in the graphics. Okay. Just to watch the cute puppet production and scenery. Working out all the material at an incredibly high level. It's nice to look at the handicraft foliage, the clothes of the characters, the animals, the food cups. Nowadays, when even the clothes on the characters are “put on” with the help of graphics, Dark Crystal is surprising. Even funny, once we were surprised by CGI, but now we laugh when the character's mustache is not shaved and ridiculously cleaned in post-processing. But back to Crystal. This is a cute dark fantasy with a predictable plot. The world has been worked out very well, the necessary background was already there. The background is quite long, the most important thing here is the beginning of the confrontation between the Galflings and Skexies. In the plot there was a place for many eternal themes, such as “fathers and children”. It's more complicated, like abuse of power. But don’t wait for the depth, still the work is quite easy.
Separately, it is worth noting the soundtrack: a grand title theme, light ambients, disturbing melodies. It was really good and you should listen separately.
It turned out to be a really good series and thanks to Netflix for spending on such a niche genre. I would put a 6-7 on a normal fantasy, but like I wrote above, I’m willing to forgive a lot for a puppet staging. So...