Star Wars media has returned to the cultural forefront since the release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens in 2015. A film trilogy and several television shows later, the franchise has become a norm within the entertainment media landscape. Unfortunately, such an extensive array of content has not had the impact some had hoped for. Specific viewers have felt severe fatigue whenever a new piece of Star Wars IP arrives. That sensation sets a relatively high bar whenever new material is released. Disney+’s latest Star Wars: Skeleton Crew hopes to change that trend.
Star Wars: Skeleton Crew tells the story of four young children living on a unique home planet. After a mysterious discovery, the kids are lost across a galaxy far, far away. In an attempt to find their way home, they find help from a stranger (Jude Law) who has more to him than meets the way. Unlike what some viewers may expect, what follows is a unique angle in the Star Wars universe. That feeling can be attributed to showrunners Jon Watts (the director of Tom Holland’s Spider-Man franchise) and Christopher Ford.
The Star Wars franchise is imbued with a childlike sense of wonder. It existed as a series that took the audience across the stars. That feeling helped make the story stand the test of time. Skeleton Crew takes that perspective and applies a clever wrinkle to the franchise. Watts noted the show takes its inspiration from Steven Spielberg’s 1985 classic film The Goonies. When I first heard that sentiment, it admittedly left me scratching my head before I saw it. After seeing these three episodes, I realized that such an idea made perfect sense on screen.
Firstly, credit has to be given to both Jon Watts and Christopher Ford in their narrative mapping. At the story’s core, you can tell both men’s love for Star Wars and 80s coming-of-age stories. There’s a vibrant sense of both place and detail that makes the world feel original in the more prominent IP. Watts and Ford understand that audiences seek a fresh way into this universe. Finding a way in through the lens of 80s-esque nostalgia, the results are often infectious. This includes an array of well-known directors such as David Lowery (The Green Knight, Pete’s Dragon), Bryce Dallas Howard, and The Daniels (Everything, Everywhere, All At Once).
Watts directed episodes one and two, while David Lowery directed episode three. While it is easy to see Watts’s passion in episodes one and two, episode three keeps that same passion. Keeping that quality shows a level of love that all involved have for this material. By the time episode three ended, I was simply left wanting more. As someone who has never finished some of these Disney+ shows (The Acolyte, Ashoka), I find it exciting to feel such joy on screen. Instead of feeling like the product, Skeleton Crew feels like something made for fans. That feeling can also be attributed to the cast of Skeleton Crew.
Our four central stars are Ravi Cabot-Conyers, Ryan Kiera Armstrong, Kyriana Krater, and Robert Timothy Smith. These actors, as their characters, never once feel like fake caricatures within the Star Wars canon. Each one feels like a real person but in an intergalactic and larger-than-life setting. It’s a perfect counterbalance to Jude Law’s performance as a stranger the kids meet along the way.
Half the fun of Law’s character is the mystery that surrounds him. To say more about that mystery would ruin the enjoyment of his performance. What can be said is that Law’s performance shows a relatively new side of the actor. He exudes a fun swagger that lets him play perfectly against the kid’s wide-eyed innocence. It’s a welcome addition that delivers some delightful cast interplay. My biggest problem with Skeleton Crew might not even be considered a “problem” in the traditional sense.
I have only seen three episodes, so it’s hard to tell how effective the story setup is. The mystery and intrigue being established have not fully grabbed me. Everything in this story has more to it than meets the eye. However, whenever these episodes focus on the plot, it’s significantly less interesting than the characters. Some pieces tease more grand ideas the series will eventually tackle. That idea feels less interesting than seeing this young cast (especially when they cross paths with Jude Law) interact. With the season being eight episodes, time will tell if that sentiment may change. That is the only red flag of the series that comes to mind after these three episodes.
For years, I was plagued with Star Wars fatigue from too much content. Like many, that oversaturation felt like Star Wars had lost its former glory. This is why It makes me incredibly happy that Star Wars: Skeleton Crew left me with a smile from ear to ear. I cannot say that Skeleton Crew has reinvigorated the genre with only three episodes, but the apparent passion for the material is on display. Add in rich attention to detail, and I was left wanting more by the time the credits rolled on episode three. Time will tell if the series sticks the landing, but now I can happily report one thing. For the first time since 2019’s The Mandalorian, I am now eager for new Star Wars content.
Star Wars: Skeleton Crew is now streaming weekly on Disney+.
Learn more about the show, including how to watch, at the Disney+ website.
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