Star Wars: Skeleton Crew (TV)
This review covers the first three episodes of “Star Wars: Skeleton Crew,” which went out for review. The running time reflects these three episodes.
When “Star Wars” leans into George Lucas’s claims that it is, first and foremost, “for kids,” that can be a slippery slope for fans. Ewoks seemed a bridge too far for a lot of people. (I was 5 at the time, so I’ll always support the little furball warriors.) Kid Anakin and “wizard?” Yeah that was a pass for me. And when “The Clone Wars” series began, I’ll be honest I just wasn’t gelling with it; it wouldn’t be until years later, and giving it more time, that I would love it. “Skeleton Crew,” the new series from Christopher Ford and Jon Watts (the Tom Holland “Spider-Man” films), is a new look at how to engage kids in the “Star Wars” universe, and it might be one that is the most successful at engaging the kid in a lot of older fans, as well.
In a way, the basic idea behind “Skeleton Crew” feels similar to “Stranger Things,” not just in the basic premise- teenagers go on an adventure- but the vibe in general. Both feel like they are inspired by the family adventure films we got in the 1980s, not just “The Goonies” but films like “Flight of the Navigator,” “Time Bandits” and “Space Camp.” If you enjoyed films like those, where the fantasy was light but energetic, I think you’ll enjoy “Skeleton Crew.” I hope the remaining episodes keep up this feeling beyond the first three, because it might be a favorite series from this universe, if so.
The main thrust of the story involves Wim (Ravi Cabot-Conyers), whose best friend is Neel (Robert Timothy Smith). Wim has to prepare and study for his test, but he has ambitions to be someone who helps the galaxy, not unlike the Jedi. The test they are preparing for is for his career assessment, but he gets sidetracked on the day when he finds what he thinks is a Jedi Temple. When he and Neel go the next day, they also see Fern (Ryan Kiera Armstrong) and KB (Kyriana Kratter). Fern is the daughter of Fara (Kerry Condon), who is an important person in the community; Fern was with Wim when he told his dad (Tunde Adebimpe) about what he saw, so she’s hoping to take credit for the find. The four go in, and it turns out to be a spaceship, which Wim makes one move, and all of the sudden it takes off, taking them off planet. They might be further from home than they realize, and they might not be as aware of what their planet is to the rest of the galaxy.
Don’t worry- most of that last paragraph is just the first episode, directed by Watts. It’s interesting to see this side of a “Star Wars” planet, but it very much feels like something out of “E.T.”, which you’ll either be fine with or want it to end as soon as possible. I liked it, but it definitely does not have the juice of the next two episodes, which are directed by David Lowery (“The Green Knight”). Those are basically space adventures, with the young crew first having to figure out how to steer the ship, and finding an unexpected stowaway in SM 33 (Nick Frost) on board. He gets them to an outpost that is basically a truck stop mixed with the Tatooine cantina, and leads to them being imprisoned. That is where they meet Jod Na Nawood (Jude Law), who’s not far from them in another cell, but is able to get them all out using the Force. Law seems to be relishing this role, which is a rakish character not unlike Han Solo, but whose motivations might be even more ambiguous than the beloved pilot. One of the things the second and third episodes do well is continuing to flesh out the child characters while also leaning into the more famous cast member’s characters to drive the story. It’s a slight of hand that is quite successful.
I’m quite excited to see how “Skeleton Crew” plays out in the remaining five episodes. I hope the adventures keep coming in exciting ways- the action scenes are quite well-directed, so far- and we get further exploration into different sides of this galaxy far, far away. Oh, and Mick Giacchino- son of Michael- got his father’s talent for creating something familiar for “Star Wars,” but also unique to this story. Between this an “The Acolyte,” this might be my favorite year of “Star Wars” television thus far.
