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Author Topic: Dark Crystal, Age of Resistance  (Read 6642 times)

Ratman_tf

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Dark Crystal, Age of Resistance
« on: August 30, 2019, 10:21:40 PM »
Started the series tonight. After this post, spoilers, so don't read on if you don't want to be spoiled.













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Episode 1,   "End. Begin. All the Same."


First impression was really bad. I didn't like the introduction at all. I would have much preferred if the epsiode had started afterwards. Everything in it would have been much better presented during the events of the episode itself, instead of a bombastic infodump.

After that, it got a bit better. I really like the idea that the Gelflings trust the Skesis. We get to see them interact with characters we know are going to go bad. It does make me wonder how the series is going to end. We know that the Gelflings are almost all wiped out, but that doesn't mean it has to happen during or at the end of the prequel time frame.

I think a little less would have been more. A lot of the camera work zooming all over the place was disorienting. It was nice to see a lot of the vistas, when well shot. GCI post effects were gratuitous and over wrought.

Man, I could not tell you the names of each of the Gelfling characters. There's the scholar/princess, the underground girl, and the son of the castle guard. Not much to tell about them, they weren't nearly as interesting as the Skesis, who are fun and colorful characters. Still, we've got a few episodes to go, hopefully the protagonists will get some development as events progress.

So, I'll give it a C. Rough patches, good stuff, bad stuff, but worth continuing to watch for now.
« Last Edit: August 30, 2019, 10:30:49 PM by Ratman_tf »
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Ratman_tf

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Dark Crystal, Age of Resistance
« Reply #1 on: September 02, 2019, 02:03:42 PM »
Nobody else watching? Despite my criticisms, the show does have it's moments.
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GeekyBugle

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« Reply #2 on: September 02, 2019, 02:59:10 PM »
Quote from: Ratman_tf;1101898
Nobody else watching? Despite my criticisms, the show does have it's moments.

I'm at a point where I don't watch sequels, prequels, reboots anymore. Might do an exception for the Ghostbusters movie tho.
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HappyDaze

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« Reply #3 on: September 02, 2019, 04:14:54 PM »
Quote from: Ratman_tf;1101898
Nobody else watching? Despite my criticisms, the show does have it's moments.

A lot of uncanny valley creepiness for me when I look at the gelflings. It may have been there decades ago, but it didn't bother my kid self the way it does crusty old me.

Ratman_tf

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« Reply #4 on: September 03, 2019, 10:51:19 PM »
Episode 2: Nothing Is Simple Anymore

Much better. There was a minimum of intrusive CGI, the characters are coming along, I really liked the Paladin, Hup! Even the ex-guard, Rian, who started out rather bland.
I really appreciated Deet's walk through the forest when she emerged from the underground. I joked with my brother that no movie would ever have a scene like the riverboat journey in the original Dark Crystal movie, but this was pretty close. Just taking in the world and the ambiance. Very nice.

This episode got pretty close to the feel of the original movie, IMO>
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Doom

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« Reply #5 on: September 07, 2019, 11:36:12 PM »
I thought you were reviewing the whole thing, so I left when you said "spoilers."

It's ok stuff, but it's harder to be impressed with CGI than Henson's puppets. I assume there are still plenty of actual puppets, though--many of them have necks which move more like wrists, if you know what I mean.

What disappoints me? It's the same damn story as the movie. Chrissake, Henson makes this amazing new world, filled with things nobody's ever seen before. They have 30 frickin' years to come up with something new and..."let's just do the same thing as the 1.5 hour movie, but over the course of 8 hours."

I grant when they did Watership Down it was the same as the novel, but one could guess that from the title. Here they have a new title and...the same story, just fluffed out more.
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Ratman_tf

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« Reply #6 on: September 08, 2019, 03:31:07 AM »
Quote from: Doom;1102999
I thought you were reviewing the whole thing, so I left when you said "spoilers."

It's ok stuff, but it's harder to be impressed with CGI than Henson's puppets. I assume there are still plenty of actual puppets, though--many of them have necks which move more like wrists, if you know what I mean.

Hm? According to the show makers it's almost all puppets. The CGI is used for post effects and to remove puppeteers.

https://www.radiotimes.com/news/on-demand/2019-08-31/dark-crystal-age-of-resistance-puppets-or-cgi/

I think one of the most striking things is how high definition has made the images too clear and sharp, and too easy to tell that they're puppets.
« Last Edit: September 08, 2019, 03:33:55 AM by Ratman_tf »
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Bedrockbrendan

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« Reply #7 on: September 08, 2019, 12:37:18 PM »
I liked the Dark Crystal. But for me the original movie always seemed to be enough. I never felt any desire to further explore that world or the characters.

Warboss Squee

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« Reply #8 on: September 08, 2019, 09:50:55 PM »
But it's so progressive!

Doom

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« Reply #9 on: September 08, 2019, 10:30:49 PM »
Quote from: Warboss Squee;1103078
But it's so progressive!

It's funny you say that, because I play SJW Bingo with Netflix shows, trying to complete my card as they go through the obligatory lesbian/male homosexual/interracial couple/Republican talking points coming out of villain's mouth/white male subservient to black female and other common issues...generally I can shout "Bingo!" before episode 5.

I'm optimistic this won't happen in Dark Crystal, seeing as it's all puppets.  

Optimistic, but not certain...
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A nice education blog.

HappyDaze

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« Reply #10 on: September 09, 2019, 01:28:47 PM »
Quote from: Doom;1103086
It's funny you say that, because I play SJW Bingo with Netflix shows, trying to complete my card as they go through the obligatory lesbian/male homosexual/interracial couple/Republican talking points coming out of villain's mouth/white male subservient to black female and other common issues...generally I can shout "Bingo!" before episode 5.

I'm optimistic this won't happen in Dark Crystal, seeing as it's all puppets.  

Optimistic, but not certain...

Watch the CW and you'll have bingo by the first commercial break.

Warboss Squee

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« Reply #11 on: September 09, 2019, 04:17:27 PM »
Quote from: HappyDaze;1103135
Watch the CW and you'll have bingo by the first commercial break.

Still shocked Supergirl wasn't a CW show.

But if you want a bingo game, check out how many shows on CW have had either cast or crew hit with charges of sexual harrassment or assault.

Doom

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« Reply #12 on: September 09, 2019, 06:32:15 PM »
Quote from: Warboss Squee;1103156
Still shocked Supergirl wasn't a CW show.

But if you want a bingo game, check out how many shows on CW have had either cast or crew hit with charges of sexual harrassment or assault.

Ye gods Supergirl. Watched much it before the convergence was so blatant. Making a big deal out of her punching out Superman, and thus she's the strongest, was nigh the last straw, though I'm sure I watched a few more episodes past that.
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A nice education blog.

HappyDaze

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« Reply #13 on: September 09, 2019, 06:55:15 PM »
Quote from: Doom;1103173
Ye gods Supergirl. Watched much it before the convergence was so blatant. Making a big deal out of her punching out Superman, and thus she's the strongest, was nigh the last straw, though I'm sure I watched a few more episodes past that.

I liked the short-lived anti-gun effort on Arrow when half the team are blazing away with pistols and the main character skewers people with arrows every episode. Unlike Supergirl,  they realized how idiotic it was and just went back to shooting the bad guys.

danskmacabre

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« Reply #14 on: September 09, 2019, 07:49:02 PM »
I've watched the first few episodes so far and overall I really like it.
There ARE some SJW moments in there, such as they ensure the female characters pretty much lead the show and make a special point they're mentally and physically superior to male characters.

But looking past all that, The special effects and CGI are not overbearing and put in tastefully.
It felt like they tried to keep practical effects and puppets in as much as possible, which I really appreciated.

I liked how it's telling the story from a prequel perspective. I found the expanded content from the movie engaging and interesting.
I particularly liked how they tried to preserve and use the Flora and Fauna from the movie.

I don't know how far this season 1 (are there going to be more seasons?) is going to go and whether they'll tell the entire story of the Dark crystal up to where it's repaired or end it earlier, or perhaps even extend it past the end of the movie.
I guess that all depends on how successful it is.

Overall, given the times we live in ATM, it was a great series and I hope it's successful. As so far, if the quality of this current season stays consistent, I'd definitely watch another season.