Today's the day! The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance is now streaming on Netflix.
Find out what critics are saying about the prequel.
Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter:
"Augmented by some new digital technology, but still executed by Jim Henson's Creature Shop, The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance is visually breathtaking — building on the wonderment of the movie, not bettering it — and when it comes to story and character, it's in all ways a smarter, funnier and more narratively thrilling enterprise. Whether you're watching for fulfilled nostalgia or current pleasure, this is a whimsical, fun and entertaining series."
Samuel R. Murrian, Parade:
"A prequel to the cult-classic feature film animated with puppets, Netflix’s sprawling The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance series expands and improves upon its predecessor. This is a high-fantasy masterclass that’s richer and more satisfying than we could have anticipated, an experiment on a grand scale that paid off,"
Matt Fagerholm, RogerEbert.com:
"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."
Erik Kain, Forbes:
"Whether or not you think you need a ten-episode epic fantasy about puppets in a magical land called Thra, ruled over by evil bird-monsters called Skeksis, I think you should give The Dark Crystal: Age Of Resistance a try. It's one of my favorite Netflix Originals so far, ranking way up there with Altered Carbon, GLOW, Mindhunter and Stranger Things. It never would have happened if not for Netflix, and I'm hoping that Netflix realizes this and orders another season... one of the best modern fantasies ever made for the small screen."
Richard Trenholm, cnet:
"Netflix introduces gorgeous puppets bringing to life a thoughtful new vision of Jim Henson's classic fantasy....The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance looks wonderful and its starry voice cast has something to say. In another world, in another time, this is an age of wonder."
"Age Of Resistance is the best type of YA fantasy fiction, engrossing and escapist and full of hidden depths, ideal for viewers weaned on Harry Potter and The Legend Of Zelda but not quite ready for George R.R. Martin. There is a complexity at play...There are mystical MacGuffins and blind storytelling alleys littered about, but they’re far outweighed by the intrepid thrust of the Gelfling uprising and every thought of “How did they pull that off?” For decades, bands of true believers have sung the song of Thra; now, thanks to Age Of Resistance, that melody carries with the strength, distance, and richness the Dark Crystal concept has always deserved."
Our friends over at ToughPigs weighed in as well.
Anthony Strand, ToughPigs:
"The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance is more than a worthy successor to The Dark Crystal. It’s a huge improvement on the foundation laid by the film. It’s not perfect – there are certainly some storytelling choices I didn’t care for – but it is excellent. It’s an exciting, lovely expansion of the world Jim Henson created, which might be the best possible way to honor his legacy."
As you can see, while most reviews have been glowing, there are few that didn't quite think it's story measured up to it technical achievement
Glen Weldon, NPR:
"Understand: The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance is never anything less than impressive: It's beautiful to sit and gawp at, and its narrative, compared to that of the film, is more satisfyingly detailed and nuanced. But in entrusting so much of the story to puppets incapable of adequately executing its emotional demands, the series winds up feeling strangely empty."
Josh Bell, CBR:
"Age of Resistance is like the Star Wars prequels of the Dark Crystal universe, filling in gaps that didn't need to be filled in, and focusing heavily on political machinations among rival factions. There's even a subplot about tariffs."
"The puppetry, as might be expected of the Jim Henson Company, is exquisite and, in this era of oppressive CGI, wonderfully tactile. Alas, the story and dialogue are convoluted with a vengeance."
The consensus though is that The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance is good and worth your time.
It currently has and 87% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes with a audience score of ... 100%!
The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance is available now on Netflix.
