THE DARK CRYSTAL 1982 SERIES

As in “Rogue One,” the tension lies not in the plot’s predetermined outcome, but in the fate of new characters whom we grow to care about deeply.

THE DARK CRYSTAL 1982 SERIES

Set many years prior to the events of Henson’s original story, the series takes us back to a time when the Gelfling population was abundant and prosperous, with female leaders guiding its seven kingdoms (the girl power on this show is off-the-charts). Though superior to the emotionally hollow “Star Wars” prequels in every sense, “Age of Resistance” does evoke “Rogue One” in how it builds suspense for viewers, even those familiar with the 1982 picture. It’s clear that Henson had desired to craft a classic with a sprawling scope on the order of “ Star Wars,” and that dream has now been fulfilled by his daughter, who was a production assistant on the original film.Įxecutive-produced by Lisa Henson, “The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance” is, quite simply, one of the all-time great fantasy epics, as well as the masterwork of puppetry most closely aligned with Jim Henson’s humanistic philosophy since his son Brian helmed 1992’s holiday perennial, “ The Muppet Christmas Carol.” It’s only fitting that a fable illustrating the circular nature of life and death would turn the past into the future, as these episodes enable Henson’s 37-year-old film to serve as its grand finale. Yet it was such a departure both in tone and content from Henson’s previous lighthearted offerings that audiences and critics alike didn’t know what to make of the film upon its initial release. I saw it last year on a 70mm print and was blown away by the level of detail occupying every corner of the frame. Though Henson was best known for his work on “Sesame Street” and “The Muppet Show,” the project closest to his heart was “The Dark Crystal,” an awe-inspiring, wildly audacious fantasy populated entirely by cutting-edge puppets. Two years after their triumph with “Julie’s Greenroom,” a sublime children’s series championing arts education, Henson’s daughter Lisa has re-teamed with Netflix to create a ten-part series that serves as a prequel to her father’s most personal project.

The dark crystal 1982