In a far-flung world not so dissimilar from our own, disparate peoples from isolated kingdoms must overcome their differences if they hope to defeat powerful, unified, evil forces and save themselves--and their world--from destruction. That's a solid if rather general fantasy story synopsis. It's so familiar in fact that it could apply to anything from classics like The Lord of the Rings and The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe to contemporary fantasy favorites like Game of Thrones. So what's the one thing that separates these iconic stories from the incredible tale told in Netflix's new series The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance? In a word: Puppets.

Netflix knows that this is the one aspect of their 10-episode fantasy series that's going to make it or break it. It's also impossible to separate the puppets and their miniature world from the late Jim Henson and his ground-breaking 1982 film The Dark Crystal or the superlative work by The Jim Henson Company that brings the denizens of the world of Thra to life, then and now. It just wouldn't be the same without them; it wouldn't be The Dark Crystal at all. So if you loved the original film and are anxious to see the puppet characters return, I'm happy to say that they're better than ever, from the delightfully macabre and grotesque Skeksis, to the wonderfully sentient potato-like Podlings, to the heroic humanoid Gelfling. If you struggle to empathize with puppets but can find something to appreciate--like the remarkable technical prowess and artistry on display, the jaw-dropping production value, the compelling characterization and voice-cast performances--you'll find this story is worth the journey. But if you opt to skip The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance altogether simply because of the puppet factor, I feel sorry for you; you're missing out on one of the greatest fantasy stories of our time portrayed in a fashion that's both a facet of a bygone era and a timeless manner of storytelling.

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Image via Netflix

Theater, cinema, and television is all smoke, mirrors, and misdirection. Traditional actors dressed head to toe in costumes and make-up; puppets and the performances of puppeteers and voice actors; and motion-capture and performance-capture artists turned into comic book creations through a blend of live action and VFX wizardry; they're all a variation on a theme, that of the trained actors and effects teams attempting to trick the eye and entertain the hearts and minds of the audiences. It's suspension of disbelief whether you're watching Shakespeare or Star Wars. If you allow yourself to be drawn into the world of Thra, you'll experience a ride like no other. And this throwback to a heavily practical, tactile, and textured form of filmmaking is a welcome balm in this increasingly digital age.

Because of the high production quality and the advent of modern technology, you feel almost transported to the alien world of Thra thanks to the ability to see just about every detail in every scene. You can count the strands of hair in the luxurious locks of the Gelfling, squirm at the sight of the oozing pustules on the Skeksis Collector's beaky nose, and be buoyed up by glee as the Podlings get all scrubbed up in the annual cleansing ritual, The Deterg. (Now's a good a time as any after that pro-puppet rant to say that this review will be relatively spoiler-free since the story simply must be experienced for itself.) That's the real magic of The Dark Crystal, the feeling that you can reach out and touch the characters and risk being pulled directly into their world. You just don't get that same sense of weight, of gravity, of flesh and bone and dirt and stone, in even the most advanced CG creations. This show is something special and increasingly so because it's a rare gem.

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Image via Netflix

When it comes to the story, it's a perfect entry point for newcomers to the fantasy genre, though the beats may be familiar to those steeped in sword-and-sorcery storytelling. However, it's the little moments between those beats--the introductions of characters and their deepening relationships, the exploration of new locales in the vast land of Thra, the diversions to witness a Podling's morning ablutions or a Gelfling ceremony or a Skeksis dinner party--that really sell the story. It makes the characters feel alive. And that's paramount whether you're dealing with celluloid, or latex foam, or CG creations. The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance excels because their creations are real, just unusually so. But everything you want in a fantasy story is here: Magic and mythology, deceit and political intrigue with heart-breaking acts of betrayal, surprisingly intense scenes of action and combat that put puppets in peril, along with tragic loss and the kind of knife-twists and backstabbing turns that made Game of Thrones such a tense pleasure to watch. But unlike that very adult and increasingly dour show, The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance is ultimately a story you can watch with the family, because even at its scariest, it's still safe, it's still hopeful. And it just so happens to have everything you want in a classic fantasy story, just with a lot more puppets.

The characters may be given life by the puppet departments and the puppeteers themselves but it's this all-star cast that delivers some top-notch voice performances to give them personality. Taron Egerton, Anya Taylor-Joy and Alicia Vikander get the toughest tasks as the straight-laced "everyman" Gelfling characters Rian, Brea, and Mira; Nathalie Emmanuel is an absolute stand-out as the diminutive Deet, who's going to be an Internet sensation. Everyone else gets to shoot for the moon with their characters, especially those playing the Skeksis. Simon Pegg absolutely nails the Chamberlain and channels the (still living) spirit of Frank Oz, who previously brought the character to life. Jason Isaacs scowls and growls with delight as the Emperor, while Benedict Wong brings an imposing presence to the General. Awkwafina, Mark Hamill and Andy Samberg practically turn their Skeksis characters into cartoons in the best possible way. Outside of the super-dramatic Skeksis and the charms of the Gelfling, Donna Kimball carries on the wizarding ways of The Dark Crystal exceptionally well as the mysterious Aughra, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson brings gravitas to his performance of the Archer, and Victor Yerrid is destined to be a fan-favorite as the Podling paladin, Hup. The only pieces of the casting puzzle that didn't quite work for me, and actually pulled me out of the story more than anything else, were Andy Samberg's Heretic and Keegan-Michael Key's Ritual Master; sometimes funny folk don't translate all that well to voicework, even if it's not their first time doing so. The rest of the cast, top to bottom, brought their A-game.

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Image via Netflix

The only other places that The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance gets knocked down a peg is in its lack of a theme song (composers Daniel Pemberton and Samuel Sim do a bang-up job of establishing atmosphere and mood in a dynamic way, but man I would have loved a catchy intro tune), and the fact that I need a Season 2 immediately. These 10 episodes expand the mythology in ways that fans of the original movie and ancillary lore have always wanted, but it also leaves the door open for much, much more. Age of Resistance gives us a satisfying conclusion in supplying backstory and connective tissue to The Dark Crystal while also allowing for plenty of room to play should more seasons be ordered. And I for one hope they are.

Enjoy The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance for what it is, a masterpiece of expertly crafted puppet-driven fantasy, and do it while you can. It's not just a new Netflix series, it's an event, and you don't want to be left out.

Rating: ★★★★★ Excellent

The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance arrives on Netflix August 30th.

For more of our extensive coverage on The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, check out the links below, and be sure to stay tuned for more insider access:

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