A Lighter DARK CRYSTAL

Article first published as THE DARK CRYSTAL AGE OF RESISTANCE Review on Seat42F.

Jim Henson’s The Dark Crystal film has quite a cult following. Many, many fans love the movie, and have watched it dozens of times a piece. Growing up, while I found it equal parts disturbing and boring, I certainly had more than my share of peers who told me I was wrong. And whether you like the story or not, there’s certainly plenty to appreciate in the sheer amount of work that goes into such a fully-realized puppet-driven world.

THE DARK CRYSTAL: AGE OF RESISTANCE is better than the movie. That is an opinion, of course, so agree or not, that is your choice. There are several things that stand out to me in forming this opinion.

One, the settings are so much richer and more beautiful. The original was post-apocalyptic, and that is a valid choice for the story being told. By setting AGE OF RESISTANCE as a prequel, the creators get to show us the beauty of Thra in its prime, and it is breath-taking. There are several distinct zones of habitat, each more impressive than the last. Setting plot aside, it has an Avatar-esque quality of something never seen before, and that’s worth watching.

Two, the voice cast is amazing. With no offense to the originals intended, as they did a fine job with their task, big talents lined up to be part of such a storied franchise. Returning and new characters alike boast big names along the lines of Jason Isaacs (Harry Potter), Sigourney Weaver (Alien), Eddie Izzard (Ocean’s Twelve), Helena Bonham Carter (Les Miserables), Caitriona Balfe (Outlander), Lena Headey (Game of Thrones), Natalie Dormer (um, Game of Thrones), Nathalie Emmanuel (yet another Game of Thrones), Toby Jones (Captain America), Theo James (Divergent), Taron Egerton (Rocketman), Gugu Mbatha-Raw (Belle), Awkwafina (Crazy Rich Asians), Alicia Vikander (Ex Machina), Simon Pegg (Shawn of the Dead), Benedict Wong (Doctor Strange), Keegan-Michael Key (Key & Peele), Andy Samberg (Brooklyn 99), Bill Hader (Barry), and Mark Hamill (Star Wars). And that’s not even a complete list.

Third, it feels like a fully realized story. It’s clear the writers have firm direction, partly because we already know the ending. But even if we didn’t, it’s clear this is well thought out, carefully crafted with rules that the series sticks to and a sense that it knows what it’s trying to do.

That is a bit of a downside, as well. After all, while would-be hero Gelflings strike out on quests to save their people from the ruling Skeksis, it’s well known that they will fail. The best these main characters that viewers are going to care about can hope for is noble martyrdom. The movie sets up only failure, and everything good in this place should be gone by the end of AGE OF RESISTANCE.IN ITThat isn’t an argument against watching DARK CRYSTAL: AGE OF RESISTANCE. After all, everyone knew the Titanic sank, and yet they flocked to the theatres to see the film of the same name. There’s a bit of a dread hanging over the story here, too, but it’s also hard to keep that in mind when it’s so easy to root for the Gelflings.

AGE OF RESISTANCE hasn’t won me over and made me a DARK CRYSTAL fan… yet. But by the time I finish it, it just might. It may take all ten installments to decide if the project was worth it, but it definitely expounds upon the universe in new and interesting ways. Had this come before the film, I’d probably have been more invested in the original follow-up. But the Star Wars prequels, this is not, and if you have even a slight bit of curiosity, I recommend checking it out.

THE DARK CRYSTAL: AGE OF RESISTANCE is streaming on Netflix now.

MOB CITY a Dark, Intriguing Place

Article first published as MOB CITY a Dark, Intriguing Place on TheTVKing.

Not long after AMC kicked showrunner Frank Darabont off of The Walking Dead, a show he developed, rumors swirled that he would make a television comeback. For fans of the zombie series or the movies Darabont has made, which include greats like The Green Mile and The Shawshank Redemption, it's with great satisfaction that we tune into his newest creation, Mob City, which premiered this week on TNT.

Like The Walking Dead, Mob City is an experiment. Six episodes are being produced for the first season as TNT tests the waters with something totally unlike its normal slate. Mob City is a period piece, mostly set in the late 1940s with flashbacks to earlier times, that explores the world of crime in Los Angeles. It's a serial drama, weaving many characters together with interesting, twisty plots. It's also done a bit in the noir style, which you don't see a lot of on television today.

Overall, I'd say this experiment works. The first two instllaments (the initial season will air over three weeks in two hour blocks) are very good, introducing us to characters who we quickly come to care about, but aren't always sure of their motivations. There's a healthy level of mystery to the plot that will draw viewers in, even before they decide if they like the program or not.

Mob City is a little slow-paced, but not as much as, say, Boardwalk Empire, another period piece that does decently well over on HBO. There are a few shootouts and dead bodies in the first night alone, with more to come. The danger and threat level, especially for a limited show, is relatively high, even if several of the main characters are based on real people whose ending may be known. At least those historical figures aren't so famous that everyone knows their tale before the show can tell it.

The cast is truly excellent. Darabont keeps a few of his Walking Dead buddies, with Jon Bernthal playing the lead, Joe Teague, a mostly-good cop who has connections to the mob world, Jeffrey DeMunn as Hal Morrison, head of the task force tracking the mob, and Andrew Rothenberg in a recurring part working for Hal. Robert Knepper (Prison Break, Heroes) does what he does best, playing demented villain, while Gregory Itzin (Covert Affairs, 24) tackles a familiar part as a crooked politician. Neal McDonough (Justified, Desperate Housewives) proves he can do hero as well as he has done bad guy in the past, and Milo Ventimiglia (Heroes, Gilmore Girls) meshes well as Joe's war buddy, now working for the other side.

Believe it or not, while those are the most familiar faces to me, that isn't even all of the wonderful actors starring in this show. Edward Burns (Saving Private Ryan) and Jeremy Luke (Don Jon) play infamous mobsters Bugsy Siegel and Mickey Cohen, respectively. Alexa Davalos (Reunion, Angel) is perfect as the token girl in the cast, a strong woman who tempts Joe to cross the line. Jeremy Strong (Zero Dark Thirty), Mekia Cox (Undercovers), Mike Hagerty (Wayne's World), Daniel Roebuck (Lost), Ernie Hudson (Ghost Busters), and comedian Dana Gould also have recurring roles. With such a deep bench, all of them fantastic, there will be no shortage of wonderful character moments, even after a few of them tragically die.

In the first episode, Joe is approached by a stand up comedian named Hecky Nash (Simon Pegg, Shaun of the Dead, Star Trek), who wants Joe to protect him as he tries to blackmail the mob. Joe agrees, but upon learning a key thing about Hecky, which I won't spoil because it takes awhile to come out, turns on him, a fact Joe is not able to reveal to his bosses, even as he tells them everything else. Yet, Joe isn't about to get himself onto the mob's payroll, and they don't appreciate his refusal, thus beginning a delicate dance between the two sides, with Joe in the middle.

I really like the flashback stuff. In episode one, we see the origins of Bugsy and Sid. While their scene doesn't really inform too much in the present storyline, it is pretty cool. Better, the second hour gives us insight into McDonough's William H. Parker, which is much more relevant. Taking that break, giving us the back story, is useful when used sparingly in this manner.

Now, there are a few gratuitous scenes. The aforementioned opening to the pilot, "A Guy Walks Into a Bar," involves some violins and a baby carriage that make the moment memorable, but don't necessarily scream realism. Later, there's a bit with Sid in a confessional booth at a church that seems purposely designed to shock and offend. Maybe these aren't necessary, but they do put off a tone and style that will set Mob City apart, and do fit the comic book-noir mashup that seems to be happening.

Overall, I really enjoyed the first two episodes, and I look forward to seeing what Darabont and his highly talented team will do with the rest. It's definitely already the best series on TNT. Mob City airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET.