TV THE DARK CRYSTAL: AGE OF RESISTANCE.

• Author: Boehm, Eric

A darkness hangs over The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, Netflix's prequel to the wonderfully weird 1982 Jim Henson film.

The original movie still stands as a technical masterpiece amid Muppet master Henson's goofier, more well-known productions. The new series is even more remarkable. It uses more than 100 puppets and an impressive voice cast to tell a sprawling story that deepens the lush, creepy fantasy world invented by Henson and artist Brian Froud.

At the center of the story are the terrifying half-bird, half-lizard Skeksis, who rule the planet of Thra. They control the titular crystal, which possesses a life-giving force they've corrupted for nefarious purposes. A group of Gelflings--think half-hobbit, half-elf--revolt against Skeksis' rule.

The Gelflings' world is as beautiful as it is doomed. The heroes of the original film...