The Adventures of Tintin (TV Series) The Seven Crystal Balls: Part 1 (1992) User Reviews

Yuck

[bevo-13678 · 10/10 · 16 December 2020]

I wonder if captain haddock ever found out what they were doing to his whiskey

Oddly unfocused Tintin adventure is a mere set-up for its sequel

[Leofwine_draca · 5/10 · 22 December 2016]

Unlike the other reviewer on this site, I found THE SEVEN CRYSTAL BALLS to be one of the lesser Tintin adventures. Somehow I found the story to be somewhat lacklustre, as it doesn't really add anything or go anywhere, merely to set up the second story, PRISONERS OF THE SUN. It's a shame that the tale feels so unfocused and long-winded, because there are some truly great set-pieces here, not least the bit in which Calculus is attacked by the glowing ball which is so good it made it into the opening credits.

The plot set-up seems to have been inspired by the Curse of Tutankhamen, with a group of professors attacked one by one after discovering an ancient Incan mummy. There's little of the globetrotting stuff for Tintin to partake in - except at the climax - although the humour between Haddock, Calculus, and the Thompson Twins continues to work well. I look forward to finding out how the story progresses in PRISONERS OF THE SUN.

The Seven Crystal Balls (Part 1 of 2)

[lost-in-limbo · 5 April 2007]

After a group of seven scientists discovered the tomb of the Inca King, Rascar Capac in the Andes. When they returned home. One by one, they are falling into a coma. Right near their bodies, happens to be broken crystal ball. After trying to stop this happening to the scientists and there is only one left uninfected, Professor Tarragon. Who actually has Rascar Capac's mummy at his house. Since Calculus is a good friend. He, Tintin and Haddock decide to go and stay there to protect Tarragon from the curse. Though one night the mummy disappears, when a fireball enters from the chimney and causes it to disappear. Later that night Tintin, Haddock and Calculus have an identical dream involving the mummy and for their concern of Tarragon. They find him in a comatose state with shattered crystal particles by his bed. Although he suddenly awakes screaming in a fit of terror to everyone's confusion, but they encounter an intruder who eventually escapes.

"The Seven Crystal Balls" is writer and illustrator Herge's thirteenth comic strip album of "The Adventures of Tintin" and the third episode (part 1 of 2) of Season 3. For this adventure Tintin goes off the beaten track into the superstitious ancient believes of the Incas. This is a nice change to the formula and is actually one of my favourites, if not it and the story would go onto continue in "Prisoners of the Sun". The whole mystical air drummed paves way for incredibly tight suspense, memorably dark flourishes and a gripping mystery piece that favourably works towards the bigger picture. The thoughtful dialogues can actually raise some important questions. During few sequences a feverishly jungle tone makes its way into the musical score and provides a touch of atmosphere. What makes this one enjoyable too, is that many of Tintin's cheery friends or acquaintances pop up in some humorously light-hearted touches. These are the opera singer Bianca Castafiore, General Alcazar who's out of power and is now a knife thrower, insurance salesman Jolyon Wagg as part of an audience and of course what's an episode without the Thompsons. Plus now Professor Calculus is living with Haddock at his estate, which ensures plenty more funny exchanges between the two. What begins as quite an odd outing, makes way for a well arranged and colourful detective yarn.