The Platform 2 (2024)

 

 

Streaming Service: Netflix 

Movie Name/Year: The Platform 2 (2024)

Genre: Horror, Sci-Fi, Thriller

Length: 1h 39min

Rating: TV-MA

Director: Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia

Writers: Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia, Pedro Rivero, David Desola, Egoitz Moreno

Actors: Milena Smit, Hovik Keuchkerian, Natalia Tena, Óscar Jaenada, Ivan Massagué, Zorion Eguileor, Bastien Ughetto, Armando Buika, Pedro Bachura, Antonia San Juan, Alexandra Masangkay, Emilio Buale, Albert Pla, Gorka Zufiaurre, Ken Appledorn, Hoji Fortuna, Mariamu Toure, Sesinou Henriette, Patty Bonet, Tadashi Ito

 

Metacritic Blurb: As a mysterious leader imposes their rule in the Platform, a new resident becomes embroiled in the battle against this controversial method to fight the brutal feeding system. But when eating from the wrong plate becomes a death sentence, how far would you be willing to go to save your life?

 

 

Selina’s Point of View:

What do I think of The Platform 2? I think my back is killing me.

 

I didn’t move a muscle during the entire film. I’ll be honest, I’m not even sure I was breathing. It had the same achingly impressive suspense that The Platform (2019) did. In fact, it was completely up to the level of the original film. For a sequel to do that is impressive.

 

The social commentary was also on point. It shined a light on how a law that looks good on paper could be seen as unfair. It also showed how bad enforcement of a law could be just as detrimental as if it did not exist in the first place. It was superbly done.

 

 

I didn’t remember much about the first film. After all, it was from the pre-COVID era and the whole world changed shortly after. Never-the-less, I remembered enough to be shocked when I realized it was a prequel. It’s possible I knew that from the trailers, but it’s been long enough that it completely slipped my mind. I was expecting a more sequel-esk plot. That little twist was interesting. It really brought out the differences between the loyalists and the barbarians.

 

There’s also a short scene after the start of the credits that ties everything together in a way I never expected. I’m still a little confused by it, but not in a bad way.

 

I loved The Platform 2. I’ll follow the story as far as they want to take it.

 

 

Cat’s Point of View:

The Platform (2019) may not have been one of my favorite movies, but it certainly stuck with me after we watched it for review in April 2020. I suppose you could say that it was on our “Pandemic Watch List,” even though it was at the very beginning and before things really got wonky. In my review, I pondered whether or not Netflix would revisit the story and provide a sequel. Now I have my answer – even if it wasn't all that I was hoping for.

 

I'll clarify that statement a little.

 

I noted that I wasn't just interested in revisiting the concept, but instead was hoping to learn more about the world or time period that brought about “the pit” and the human social experiment that went with it. Alas, that was not what happened.

 

My mild disappointment aside, that didn't really impact my viewing experience for this sequel. When I watched the trailers, it was clear that The Platform 2 was going to be approaching the story a little differently. Initially, I wasn't even sure if it was going to be tied to the original film. During my watch-through, however, it clicked that I'd seen one of the characters before. By the end, the connections became more clear. Some of the ties that bind the 2 films are more overt, but there's also a more subtle thread that weaves them together – both explanations of which would be spoilers.

 

 

The Platform 2 doesn't have as much mystery as the first film, because we know how the titular platform system works by the time we reach this second experience. (If you haven't watched the first movie, this may all just be more confusing. I'd recommend watching in order.) There's definitely more brutality and shock-value here than examined in the first installment.

 

This story was clearly another slap-in-the-face social commentary. There were a few Uncanny Valley moments that were a little disturbing, but the take on how the extreme enforcement of laws without examination of mitigating circumstances allowing flexibility was clear. It also gives us a hard look at the dark side of those with the power to act on a savior complex and fanatical zealots.

 

I'd have to say that out of the 2 films, the first had more impact. It's even worked its way into culinary arts pop culture. Network television has a reality cooking competition show with Gordon Ramsay (MasterChef USA, Kitchen Nightmares, Hell's Kitchen) called Next Level Chef (2022-). It features the central platform of food that travels through 3 levels, giving chefs on the top first pick and those on the bottom are stuck with whatever's left. (Let me tell you, I cackled when I saw the first preview ad for that show because I instantly recognized where they got the idea.) While I really enjoy the cooking show, and in hindsight I would give The Platform a higher rating, I can't say the same for this sequel.

 

That doesn't take away from the fact that this new film was just as expertly put together and well-executed as the first. It does have its strengths, and I was on the edge of my seat throughout.

 

The Platform 2 went to some really bizarre places and just ultimately left me feeling unsatisfied and unsettled. At the same time, if they decide to turn this into a trilogy, I'd still watch in hopes of learning more about the lore of the twisted Pit and any further connections between those trapped in it.

 

 

Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score – 35%

Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score – 25%

Metascore – 45%

Metacritic User Score – 4.2/10

IMDB Score – 4.9/10

 

Trust the Dice: Selina’s Rating – 5/5

Trust the Dice: Cat’s Rating – 3.5/5

 

Movie Trailer:

Prey (2022)

Streaming Service: Hulu
Movie Name/Year: Prey (2022)
Genre: Action, Drama, Horror
Length: 1h 39min
Rating: R
Production/Distribution: 20th Century Studios, Davis Entertainment, Disney+, Hulu
Director: Dan Trachtenberg
Writer:  Patrick Aison, Dan Trachtenberg, Jim Thomas, John Thomas
Actors: Amber Midthunder, Dakota Beavers, Dane DiLiegro, Stormee Kipp, Michelle Thrush, Julian Black Antelope, Stefany Mathias, Bennett Taylor, Mike Paterson, Tymon Carter, Skye Pelletier, Harlan Blayne Kytwayhat, Corvin Mack, Samuel Marty
 
Blurb from IMDb: The origin story of the Predator in the world of the Comanche Nation 300 years ago. Naru, a skilled female warrior, fights to protect her tribe against one of the first highly-evolved Predators to land on Earth.
 

Selina’s Point of View:
I like the Predator (1987) series. Maybe for a different reason than most, though.
 
The first Predator (1987) was a good movie, but very ‘of its time.’ I’m not saying it doesn’t hold up, because it does, but it’s just very much an 80s film. It had the same campy tone as most of the action films that were put out in that decade – and the 80s/early 90s feel just got amped up in Predator 2 (1990). Anyone who watches either flick is going to know exactly when it was made.
 
I believe that, alone, the movie might have had a following, but it wouldn’t have remained this big if they’d have stuck to a normal sequel setting.
 
Predator 2 was not as beloved as the original. Taking the antagonist to the city is not what I mean. I mean that they turned the series into a kind of anthology. The big bad remains the central theme, while the settings and protagonists change from movie to movie. It allows us to get close to the story, without putting all our connection into a single set of protagonists. It’s an expansion of the world/universe, instead of a deeper examination of one story.
 
Not only does that keep us invested, but it makes pulling in new viewers easier. You don’t need to see any of the films that came before Prey to get just as deeply involved as someone who’s been watching the story unfold for the past 35 years.
 
I believe that’s why the Predator series has as much staying power as it does – and why it will continue well into the future.
 
This is also the exact reason why I 100% support utilizing newer voices for the direction and writing of Predator sequels – like Prey.
 
Director Dan Trachtenberg (10 Cloverfield Lane, The Boys, Black Mirror) has done a few episodes of random TV shows (and one full-length feature), while Patrick Aison (Treadstone, Kingdom, Wayward Pines) has similar credits to his name. Neither of them are big enough to have any kind of hardcore following yet. As a result, no one could have possibly known what to expect from them. This may not be an anthology film, but as an anthology series – I think it has the exact same kind of benefit.
 

Going into Prey all we knew was that there would be a Predator antagonist, and that it was a prequel. Trachtenberg and Aison took those facts and built up a film that absolutely crushed any expectations anyone could have had. They may not have had a hardcore following before this, but that’s definitely changed. Anytime I see either name in the credits of future films, it’s going to increase my excitement ten-fold.
 
I’m not afraid to say that Prey is the best film in the series. Including the first.
 
In fact, I couldn’t point out a flaw if I tried. The story was on point. The setting felt right. The sound design was just as iconic as ever. Even the characters had a depth to them that those in the other films lacked.
 
I can’t even say enough about the acting.
 
Amber Midthunder (Hell or High Water, Legion, The Ice Road) is new to me, but she has got some serious talent. Whether her character was fighting the Predator or interacting with her tribe, I believed every second of her performance. Her name is going to stick out in my mind, and I will be looking for her in the future. I think I’ll even look up her past performances.
 
Equally, Dakota Beavers felt just as perfect for his part. They all did, but Midthunder and Beavers stood out the most.
 
If you haven’t seen Prey, you need to. Especially if you’re a fan of the series, but even if you’re not.
 
As of right now, Prey’s my favorite movie of the year.
 

Cat’s Point of View:
The original Predator (1987) was a great blend of action, sci-fi, and monster movie genres. It holds a special place in my heart as one of the first few R-rated movies I watched as a kid. The sequels that followed didn’t really catch the same vibe as the original. They were fine but just didn’t share the same spark of the original film.
 
Prey was a game changer for the franchise. I felt a similar thrill to the original Predator with this new prequel.
 
I understand there was talk about Prey retconning the events from the Alien vs. Predator (2004) crossover movie. Aside from having a bad-ass female lead, that production really didn’t have a lot going for it anyway.
 
The cinematography for Prey was stunning. I loved the natural settings used as both elements of the story and backdrop.
 

I also appreciated that the production team did a great job of casting an appropriately diverse cast with actors of indigenous heritage for the primary roles. I was actually shocked to learn that this was Dakota Beavers' feature film debut. He apparently has an extensive background in performing in a musical setting, so I’m sure that helped a lot with the transition. I couldn’t tell that this was his first big gig. Hats off to him on that. I would be remiss if I didn’t also mention Amber Midthunder. Her role in Prey was so physical and she aced it like a true warrior. I loved that her character was intelligent and resourceful as well as strong-willed. She was exactly what the story needed, and she delivered.
 
If I had to pick one thing that bothered me a little about Prey, I would have to scramble to come up with something. Perhaps it would have been cool to have English subtitle translations for the indigenous speech and the small amount of French dialogue in the movie, but honestly, that’s splitting hairs. You didn’t need to know a literal translation to understand perfectly what was going on. It’s a mark of skillful storytelling of the production team as a whole – cast and crew – that everything made sense.
 
All told, if you don’t already have Hulu, or the Disney+ bundle that includes it, Prey is absolutely worth the subscription for this exclusively streaming release. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Prey to fans of the franchise – or even those who might want to try it for the first time.
 

Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score – 92%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score – 83%
Metascore – 70%
Metacritic User Score – 6.3
IMDB Score –7.2/10
 
Trust the Dice: Selina’s Rating – 5/5
Trust the Dice: Cat’s Rating – 5/5
 
Movie Trailer:

The King's Man (2021)

 

Streaming Service: Hulu
Movie Name/Year: The King’s Man (2021)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy
Length: 131 minutes
Rating: R
Production/Distribution: 20th Century Studios, Marv Films, Marv Studios, Forum Hungary, HKC Entertainment, Ukrainian Film Distribution (UFD), Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Argentina, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Finland, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, Disney+
Director: Matthew Vaughn
Writers: Matthew Vaughn, Karl Gajdusek, Mark Millar, Dave Gibbons
Actors: Gemma Arterton, Ralph Fiennes, Matthew Goode, Stanley Tucci, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Rhys Ifans, Daniel Brühl, Olivier Richters, Charles Dance, Tom Hollander, Djimon Hounsou, Harris Dickinson, Alexandra Maria Lara, Alison Steadman, Neil Jackson, Robert Aramayo, Branka Katic
 
IMDb Blurb: In the early years of the 20th century, the Kingsman agency is formed to stand against a cabal plotting a war to wipe out millions.

Selina’s Point of View:
If you’ve been reading for any length of time, then you know I’m a huge fan of The Kingsman (2014 -) series. That return to a more ridiculous spy characterization is right up my alley. So, I have been looking forward to this prequel for a long time.
 
There was minimal doubt that I would like The King’s Man. Aside from the possibility that the director might opt for a different tone, or the new cast might alter things too much, it was going to happen.
 
I love this series for all the reasons a more serious critic would hate it. I love that caricature aspect. The over-exaggeration of the action/spy genre is something I just adore. I grew up on all the shows, and movies, that offered up the near-invincible spy with the fancy-ass gadgets. Bringing that into modern times and mixing it up with new filming techniques and exceptional fight choreography is a total win in my book.

 
The convoluted conflict at the core of a plot that seems basic, but subverts expectations at the most random moments, is a bonus to me. The villains supporting their mostly anticipated motivations with their insane and absurd plots makes it fun. How many times do we have to see the same plan with the same reason behind it before it’s acceptable to see something a little preposterous to counteract it?
 
Kingsman films are top-tier escapism to me. There are enough scenes that dip into seriousness to make them feel like anything but a parody, while still giving off that ‘turn your brain off and enjoy’ flair.
 
The King’s Man was exactly all of that. It had moments of glory that sent a chill down my back, huge shocking moments that caused me to exclaim out loud, and great fight choreography. All of it was surrounded with just enough of that caricature feel to make it fit in with the series.

 
I did find Rasputin to be a bit more cringe than I had hoped for. I don’t know if what went down with that character was the director’s choice, or the actor’s, but the performance did dip a bit more into parody than I’d have preferred.
 
That was my only issue, though. The whole film did an amazing job explaining core reasons for the existence, and content, of Kingsmen. It was a phenomenal movie, and it did what it needed to as a prequel.
 
I’m happy to say I’ll be watching The King’s Man again as part of my rewatching of the series. I’ll also be keeping an eye out for the next film, set to be released sometime in 2023.
 
I will be a Matthew Vaughn (Kick-Ass, Stardust, X-Men: First Class) fan for life.

 
Cat’s Point of View:

The King’s Man landed squarely in the Top 10 of both Selina and my December 2021 Top 20 lists. In fact, our placements only varied by 1 spot. Following so many delays (mostly due to the pandemic), it was such a relief that this production finally hit screens large and small. I was doing internal cartwheels when it became available on Hulu and Xfinity’s On Demand.

 
I’ve always been a fan of the action spy-thriller genre. Cool gadgets, suave and quick-witted spies, and choreographed mayhem just does it for me. The Kingsman series just settles gloriously into that comfort zone. With this particular franchise, I adore the tailor shop front and all the references to the legends of King Arthur.
 
The 2^nd movie had a little bit of a wobble with fan service over substance, but I still enjoyed it.

 
That brings me back to this particular installment. The King’s Man is a prequel telling us how the Kingsman Secret Service came to be. So much was packed into 2 hours that I am, frankly, surprised it wasn’t much longer. I honestly wouldn’t have minded. The King’s Man kept me so thoroughly invested in what was going on, I didn’t notice the passage of time. That’s a rare thing for my squirrelly ADHD and MS-addled brain.
 
Aside from the peek into the Kingsman’s history, the cast of this production was a real draw for me. I have been a fan of Ralph Fiennes (Spectre, Holmes & Watson, The Dig) since long before he lost his nose and waved a wand around. I was a freshman in college when The English Patient (1996) hit screens and caused an excessive need for tissues. His portrayal of the Duke of Oxford was everything I could hope it would be.

 
I’m also always excited to see Djimon Hounsou (Air, Captain Marvel, A Quiet Place Part II), Gemma Arterton (Murder Mystery, How to Build a Girl, Summerland), and Charles Dance (Johnny English Strikes Again, Godzilla: King of the Monsters, Iron Mask). I didn’t even realize ‘til I looked at the credits that Tom Hollander (Tulip Fever, A Private War, Bird Box) played King George, Kaiser Wilhelm, and Tsar Nicholas. Bang-up job, there.
 
Though, I will say I was floored by a particular action sequence by Rhys Ifans’ (Serena, Official Secrets, Spider-Man: No Way Home) character of Rasputin. Who would have thought that such a despicable and horrible historical figure would be the center of one of my favorite scenes in this movie?! I’m dying to know if he actually performed the stunts or had a stand-in. I digress.

 
Some history buffs might have had their eyes twitching at the creative license taken with the story. I actually loved the blend of real-world elements and fantasy – spinning a conspiratorial web around the time of World War I and the horrors of that conflict.
 
The production value alone for The King’s Man was off the charts. This film was flat-out gorgeous.
 
I would recommend The King’s Man in a heartbeat. You don’t even have to see the other movies in the series before watching it – but after you do, you’ll probably want to.

Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score – None

Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score – None
Metascore – 44%
Metacritic User Score – 5.1/10
IMDB Score – 6.3/10
 
P.S. – There is a short additional scene in the middle of the credits.
 
Trust the Dice: Selina’s Rating – 5/5
Trust the Dice: Cat’s Rating – 5/5
 
Movie Trailer:

Army of Thieves (2021)

Streaming Service: Netflix
Movie Name/Year: Army of Thieves (2021)
Genre: Action, Crime, Horror
Length:  127 minutes
Rating: TV-MA
Production/Distribution: Pantaleon Films, The Stone Quarry, Film United, Netflix
Director: Matthias Schweighöfer
Writers: Shay Hatten, Zack Snyder
Actors: Barbara Meier, Guz Khan, John Bubniak, Jonathan Cohen, Matthias Schweighöfer, Nathalie Emmanuel, Noémie Nakai, Ruby O. Fee, Stuart Martin, Trent Garrett
 
Blurb from IMDb:  A prequel, set before the events of Army of the Dead, which focuses on German safecracker Ludwig Dieter leading a group of aspiring thieves on a top-secret heist during the early stages of the zombie apocalypse.

Cat’s Point of View:
Army of Thieves had me fairly giddy. When we first saw the trailer, I knew it was a sure bet that this movie would be entertaining, but it exceeded my expectations.
 
Of course, a large part of why I’m over the moon about the production is the attention it’s bringing to some really stellar pieces of classical music. Okay, maybe not the majority of why – but it’s still something pretty spectacular. Everyone has heard snippets here and there from Richard Wagner’s (1813-1883) work – especially The Ring Cycle (or The Ring of the Nibelung, as it’s referred to in this film). It’s a set of four epic operas connected in mythology, theme, and story – and most people have heard at the very least bits from “Ride of the Valkyries,” which even features as background to globally famous cartoons and the like. My inner choir geek had a squee. Moving on.

 
The fabled safes the story of Army of Thieves is woven around are fictional but their concept, story, and execution were so brilliant, you’d think it’s plausible they could be real. They added some great nuance and plot layers to the story that helps this film tie directly into Army of the Dead (2021), which Thieves is the prequel to.
 
Prequels can be a little tricky if you’ve watched the movies in release order – because you already know what’s going to happen after the fact. It gives you an idea from the get-go how things are going to turn out. If characters don’t make it out of the situations they found themselves in with the prequel, how could they have been in the original film? Filmmakers have to walk a tightrope to avoid paradox and fan outcry. Thankfully, Army of Thieves navigated that well.

While there weren’t any zombies at the forefront of Army of Thieves, the fact that they existed in the world was definitely well noted. They served for several plot points, though the undead was certainly not the primary focus here.
 
My favorite character from Army of the Dead was Ludwig Dieter. I loved that Army of Thieves celebrates this neurodivergent, quirky character. I related with him more than I expected I would and I suspect that some of the disparity in both critic and audience reception may stem from the same societal gap between those who “get” atypical personality types and those that don’t.

 
Not only did Matthias Schweighöfer (100 Things, Resistance, Hinterland) bring Dieter to life as an adorkable but brilliant safe-cracking savant, he also directed this installment of what is to be at the very least a trilogy. That’s right. Planet of the Dead has been announced, but Zach Snyder (300, Sucker Punch, Man of Steel) and Netflix do not have a prospective release date. We’ll be looking at 2023 at the earliest due to other projects ahead of it in line.
 
Aside from Dieter, I love this story’s ringleader, Gwendoline, played by Nathalie Emmanuel (The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, Die Hart, Maze Runner: The Death Cure). Emmanuel won me over as Missandei in Game of Thrones (2011-2019) and hacked her way into speed-freak culture with her role as Ramsey in the Fast Saga, starting with Furious 7 (2015). Here she was in fine form again with this ensemble cast. I’ve enjoyed her characters that highlight assertiveness, intelligence, and wit.
 
Army of Thieves is definitely worth the time if you have access to Netflix. Dieter has bumbled his way into the hearts of many; and if you loved him in Army of the Dead, I have a feeling you’ll enjoy Army of Thieves, too. 

Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score – 71%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score –76%
Metascore – 49%
Metacritic User Score – 6.8/10
IMDB Score – 6.4/10
 
Trust the Dice: Cat’s Rating – 4.5/5
 
Movie Trailer:

Seoul Station (2016)

Streaming Services: Shudder

Movie Name/Year: Seoul Station (2016)

Genre: Animation, Horror, Thriller

Length: 92 minutes

Rating: NR

Production/Distribution: Finecut, Movic Comics, Studio Dadashow, Broadway, Clover Films, Copiapoa Film, Golden Village Pictures, A Contracorriente Films, Finecut, N.E.W., Splendid Film

Director: Sang-ho Yeon

Writer: Sang-ho Yeon

Actors: Seung-ryong Ryu, Franciska Friede, Joon Lee, Sang-hee Lee, Eun-kyung Shim

Blurb from IMDb: Several groups of people try to survive a zombie pandemic that unleashes itself in downtown Seoul.

Selina’s Point of View:

Back in 2018, Cat and I reviewed Train to Busan (2016). If you look back at that article, you’ll see that we were both absolutely in love with the film. We were using a slightly different format for choosing the movies for our reviews back then, so we had to wait for the prequel to come up randomly for us. By the time we altered the format, we’d forgotten about it. At least, until we started poking around Shudder.

I was super looking forward to seeing this film, and I’m pretty happy with what I got. It wasn’t as good as the first one, but it was still pretty decent.

The first thing I have to note is that I don’t like this style of animation. Let me be clear, I love anime. It’s not that. I just don’t like this particular style. To be fair, I’m simply not going to factor the style into my overall opinion.

We knew what the plot was going to be going in. Even more-so than just through blurbs and trailers. It’s a prequel to a zombie apocalypse story so, it was easy to figure out that we’d be following someone through the story of how it all started. I made some assumptions, also, based on the start of Train to Busan and who we followed there.

Even with that said, Seoul Station had some tricks up it sleeves. There were twists that I never saw coming – though I see the foreshadowing when I look back. I was really shocked that this film came with so many surprises, despite the fact that we know what comes next.

I was also impressed with the subtle social commentary. Since elementary school I’ve taken an interest in the needs of the homeless population. It’s absolutely criminal the way the homeless are dehumanized. It’s very easy for people to forget that few bad months could put them in similar situations. Or maybe it’s hard to forget, and that’s why people rail against them so hard: misplaced fear and anger.

Either way, this film does a good job of showing the way the homeless are ignored, yet still blamed for things.

Seoul Station was a very thrilling zombie story. It never got into the science behind why zombies came about, and we never actually see patient zero, but it still served as a commendable story in the Train to Busan universe. I think it’s a worth a watch.

Cat’s Point of View:

Train to Busan (2016) is one of my favorite zombie horror movies. With that said, you can imagine that I was rather excited to get a chance to watch the animated prequel. While Train to Busan is said to actually be the live-action sequel to this animated film, Seoul Station wasn’t released until after the live-action film hit screens.

Honestly, I don’t think it matters what order they were released in. It works, regardless. Seoul Station is an excellent setup for the events in Train to Busan, and vice versa. Of course, one reason that works both ways is the same feel for the story carries across both due to sharing the same writer/director, Sang-ho Yeon (The King of Pigs, The Fake, Psychokinesis). I’m even more impressed with Train to Busan after learning it was Yeon’s first live-action film.

Let’s get down to the actual review.

Seoul Station had everything one could expect from the zombie genre. It had a slow but steady build until the story reached critical mass – then the edge of my proverbial seat became my perch until the final credits. The relentless desperation of the characters scrambling for their lives in the face of classist discrimination and a zombie horde was palpable. 

Like most offerings of the genre, it showcased both the best and worst humanity had to offer.

This story was crafted so well, I am nearly at a loss for words in explaining its impact. I was invested in the characters and even felt irked that I was rooting for the ones I didn’t even like very much. Then there’s a twist that just had me staring at the screen with mouth agape in shock.

The only remotely negative thing I have to say about the film would be that it was a little annoying that the subtitles didn't translate whatever was shown as plain text on the screen before the animation started. Since I don't speak Korean, I couldn't tell if it was simply the pre-movie credits extended or if it was prologue text. Even without knowing what it said, it still doesn't change my opinion about the film over-all.

I will likely want to re-watch both this animated movie and the live-action before the next movie in the series, Peninsula (2020?), is released. Unfortunately, due to the current pandemic’s effect on cinema releases, it’s unclear when that will actually hit screens – but I can’t wait.

Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score – 100%

Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score – 36%

Metascore – None

Metacritic User Score – None

IMDB Score – 6.1/10

CinemaScore – None

Trust the Dice: Selina’s Rating – 4/5

Trust the Dice: Cat’s Rating – 4.5/5

Movie Trailer:

But I Digress... Crystallized Nostalgia

By Cat

The Dark Crystal (1982) is one of my earliest movie memories. It was both terrifying and awe-inspiring; and I credit it as one of the heavy influences of my life-long love of the fantasy genre, things darkly beautiful, and even odd fuzzy creatures. Needless to say, the original movie is very near and dear to my heart – and highly placed in my list of top favorite movies of all time. 

I don’t claim to be a ‘superfan,’ however. I haven’t scooped up every bit of memorabilia or even kept up with the sequel published in graphic novel format, etc. My knowledge of the story ends with the closing credits crawling along the screen following the 1982 classic. That being said, I have been both vastly relieved that Hollywood’s reboot bug hadn’t claimed this property thus far; and also highly curious as to what something of that nature might look like, given today’s technology. 

Following The Jim Henson Company’s announcements that began back in May, I seem to be getting my cake and eating it, too. Not only is Henson revisiting The Dark Crystal property with a prequel series for Netflix, they’re promising to stay true to the heart of the original tale by relying heavily on practical effects while taking modern movie magic to elevate it rather than entirely attempt to recreate the original lightning in a bottle. 

The new series is titled The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, and is slated for an initial 10 episode run as a Netflix Original. There is no current release date at this time, though the company’s press release indicated that they would begin filming ‘this fall.’ 

Skeksis surrounding the Dark Crystal. (c) The Jim Henson Company

Fans of the original shouldn’t worry about this series tinkering with the existing cannon lore or aesthetics, however. The May 18^th, 2017 press release announcing this new venture was clear that this story will be taking place decades before the events of the 1982 movie. As Henson is working with the original concept designers, the Froud family, the goal is to remain thematically consistent.

“[Director] Louis Leterrier is passionate about the world of The Dark Crystal and has an incredible creative vision for the series. He brings this passion to every facet of the production as he leads the talented team of artists and writers that are bringing this entire universe to life... Netflix has a deep respect for my father's original work and the many people it inspired. They are the perfect partners to create this next epic chapter in The Dark Crystal story for new fans and the loyal fans who have waited so long for more adventures from this world." -Lisa Henson, CEO of The Jim Henson Company.

May and September of 2017 were very busy in the world of Henson. Not only did they release the news of the upcoming series on the 18^th of May, but also announced pairing with McFarlane Toys to release action figures for several of their classic properties, including The Dark Crystal. 

The very next day, Henson released the news that they’d entered into licensing agreements with BOOM! Studios for a 5-year publishing deal for new graphic novels for at least 4 classic brands, including The Dark Crystal. It’s unclear at this time what the story content of the new publications will be, but things are certainly heating up around the land of Thra. 

(C) 2017 The Jim Henson Company, you can find the book on amazon here.

But wait, there’s more! September brought the unveiling of a new book for fans of the original, partially in celebration of the movie’s 35^th anniversary. The Dark Crystal: The Ultimate Visual History includes much behind the scenes information from the beloved movie, and should be quite the treat. That’s not what I’m most excited about from September’s news, however. 

September 2^nd, 2017, Henson announced a contest centered on the new Netflix series. Everyone is invited to create and submit their own creature for the Dark Crystal universe, and the winner will get a small monetary prize as well as a chance for their creation to be brought to life by Jim Henson's Creature Shop and a potential cameo in the new series. The deadline for the contest is November 22, 2017 so fire up your creative juices if you’re interested.

Click here for contest details. Image (c) Jim Henson Company

I’m really excited about all of this news; though, I am likely the most excited about the new series. I can’t wait to see what they bring to the screen and a chance to revisit the both horrifying and enchanting land of Thra as the rebellion against the Skeksis begins. 

Here’s what we know so far about the new Netflix production:

Production Companies: The Jim Henson Company, Netflix

Executive Producers: Lisa Henson, Louis Leterrier, Jeffrey Addiss, Javier Grillo-Marxuach, Blanca Lista, Will Matthews, Halle Stanford

Director: Louis Leterrier

Writers: Jeffrey Addiss, Javier Grillo-Marxuach, Will Matthews

Special Effects: Brian Froud, Jim Henson's Creature Shop

IMDb blurb: "The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance" returns to the world of Thra, where three Gelfling discover the horrifying secret behind the Skeksis' power and set out to ignite the fires of rebellion and save their world.

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