It's no secret that the Jim Henson Company and the Jim Henson Creature Shop
has been providing special effects and aliens and various other vital
components for everything from the Star Wars Saga to multiple horror films.
One has to ask, with such talent and ability, why doesn't the Creature Shop
just have it's own show to showcase the treasures they are capable
of?
Brian Henson and friends have answered that question with FARSCAPE!
Farscape has some of the best animatronics, CGI, and, yes, creatures of any
television show or theatrical release for that matter.
This alone could make for an incredible show, but they didn't stop there.
The episodes are very well written, and just suck you in each week, the
acting is unparalleled, and the attention to detail is just
admirable.
Where this could have actually succeeded as just a commercial for the
Creature Shop (Look what we can do) the producers seem incapable of such
cheap vanity. By recruiting Rockne S. O'Bannon (Twilight Zone, Alien
Nation, Seaquest DSV), and carefully selecting actors that have the feel of
being born to the roles, not to mention hiring some incredible writers, The
Jim Henson Company has created a show that could actually survive WITHOUT
the special effects they're famous for. Thankfully that's there
too!
The best part is that just when you think you have the show down and it's
about to get predictable you get surprised again. No cheap shots here...
they set up every surprise moths in advance and you get surprised because
(like us all) you have been following the wrong clues!
This show works on many levels: Action, Comedy, love story, special effects
showcase, and, lest I forget, it is a great suppository of one liners! I
love the show, and I think any one who takes the time to watch it will love
it just as much!
