The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance Review: A Beautiful and Brilliant Return

As a prequel, The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance comes as a known quantity: we know how it all ends, based on the 1982 fantasy film. But it is the journey that proves the most potent, the personal story of who is affected by Skeksis rule, where the main thrust comes.

The world of Thra finds itself at the height of its rule by the Skeksis with the Gelflings serving them willingly and happily. But with power comes the need for more power, and a small group start to discover not all is as it seems with the Skeksis.

It’s this jumping off point where the show tells a story of survival and standing up for one’s people when all hope feels hopeless. The Gelfling characters at its heart, Rian (Taron Egerton), Deet (Nathalie Emmanuel), and Brea (Anya Taylor-Joy), all find themselves working against tradition, responsibility, and prejudice, where long-held beliefs and the status quo must not be shaken, despite the evidence.

It’s a fascinating angle for the series to take, the political intrigue that can usually stifle some shows becoming a great backbone for what these characters are fighting against, along with their enemy.

Some characters stand out more than others (like Hup the Podling), but the voice cast is talent after talent that help elevate already compelling scenes. There are returning characters from the movie, like the Chamberlain (this time voiced by Simon Pegg) and Aughra (Donna Kimball), who continue to be endlessly entertaining as odd and unique personalities.

The amount of love and care put into every puppet design and location, the smallest of details producing life and a lived-in world, all add up to a production that is second to none.

Every living thing has personality, from the small creatures in a single shot to the main characters. Every frame is teeming with life and excitement and creativity, leaving itself well worth rewatches to simply take in the world and some of the work being done in the background.

The action sequences are surprising and awe-inspiring, as the direction, headed by Louis Leterrier, and the work of the Jim Henson Company, combine to pull off dynamic moments of dazzling chase sequences and daring escapes. They are used sparingly and with great effect to portray the characters’ heroism and desperation to save their friends and their future.

The show is unafraid to tread into darker territory, showing that bravery can come at a cost and that while not all battles are winnable, it’s the attempt and the will to fight another day that proves the most rewarding. This darkness also comes with the show being unafraid to tackle death and torture, taking on mature themes missing from recent family series that refers back to the 80’s movies it’s coming from.

The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance becomes this strange and quirky series that is full of heart, its secret weapon the world it creates. There’s nothing like it on television, the level of detail and expertise put on display something to marvel over. That it also has a strong story and a next-level voice talent to support it helps The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance become one of the year’s very best.

 

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The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance streams on Friday, August 30 on Netflix.

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