DARK CRYSTAL: Netflix Offers Up RESISTANCE
Netflix really knows how to get our summer started. Last week they released pictures from the upcoming series The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance. Today they have dropped the official teaser trailer.
You can hear the Chamberlain’s “mmmmmmm”.
Literally.
The photos reinforced the beauty of what we expect from The Jim Henson Company and Brian Froud, the creative designer for the 1982 film. Now this trailer showcases the detail they are putting into the 10 episode series to remain faithful to the original film while updating carefully for the digital age. It’s understandable that today’s technology allows the special effects to be a step above the film. The trailer shows that the film makers are using computers to enhance special effects, but it also shows the human puppeteering of the Gelflings, Skeksis, and Mystics instead of the ever so popular CGI. Even the full body action shots of the Gelflings appear to be live actors just like the film. If what they show is a true representation to the remaining 9 hours and 57 minutes of the series, then we could have another beautifully crafted work of art that Jim Henson would be proud of.
In December, they announced the cast of voice actors for the Gelflings, Skeksis, and Mystics which included Tarin Egerton, Mark Hamill, Helena Bonham-Carter, Jason Isaacs, and Simon Pegg to name a few. It was also announced that Donna Kimball would replace Frank Oz as the voice of Aughra, which we hear in the trailer, vaguely prophesying the future that lays ahead for Thra.
The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance takes place “many years” before the movie. The world of Thra is dying, and at the heart of Thra is the Crystal of Truth, a source of untold power. It is damaged, corrupted by the evil Skeksis, and a sickness spreads across the Land. When three Gelfling discover the horrifying secret behind the Skeksis’ power, an adventure unfolds as the fires of rebellion are lit and an epic battle for the planet begins.
The Jim Henson Company is producing with Louis Leterrier (The Incredible Hulk) directing and executive producing with Rita Peruggi and Henson’s Blanca Lista. Jeffery Addis, Will Mathews, and Javier Grillo-Marxuach lead the writing team.
There’s a strong creative mix between Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, Froud creative past, Leterrier’s storytelling, and the quality viewers have come to expect with Netflix shows. Each time we have been presented with a new preview of the show, I have not been disappointed. I’ll remain cautious because of my love for the movie but I’ll also admit the wait for August 30 is nothing to be easy. After today’s look at the teaser trailer, I’m excited to see a full length trailer and see more of what is in store for us.
