“Skeleton Crew is a series that puts the fun back into Star Wars. It brings a refreshing perspective expanding this universe in exciting new ways. This series has compelling characters and Jude Law fits just right in. At its heart, it’s a love letter to children’s adventure films from the ’80s.”
Star Wars is back with a brand new live-action series. Skeleton Crew is set during the same time period as The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett and Ahsoka. It’s created by Jon Watts (the MCU Spider-Man trilogy) and Christopher Ford. The series is also produced by Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni. It stars Jude Law, Robert Timothy Smith, Ravi Cabot-Conyers, Ryan Kiera Armstrong, Kyriana Kratter, Jaleel White, Nick Frost and Kerry Condon. The 2-episode series premiere is now streaming on Disney Plus. Episodes are released weekly on Wednesdays in the UK at 2 a.m. and on Tuesdays in the US at 6 p.m. PT.
AN AMBLIN ADVENTURE
The New Republic era keeps expanding with a fourth series. And this one feels completely different than the others we’ve seen before. Indeed, Skeleton Crew features a cast of young characters. It is a story about kids from a peaceful planet who find themselves lost in the galaxy. So, this gives a new and refreshing perspective of how the Star Wars universe is explored. George Lucas actually created Star Wars for kids. Undoubtedly as kids, we’ve all grown up with these films imagining ourselves having adventures in this galaxy far far away. And this is exactly what this series gives us. These characters are having the adventure we were hoping to have as kids. After a serious series like The Acolyte, it feels great to have a series that puts the fun back into Star Wars. Skeleton Crew is a fun adventure.
Yes, it’s about kids so obviously kids will be interested in it and feel a deep connection to these characters as they’re the same age. But anyone who loves Amblin adventures will love this one. Adults will definitely feel like being a kid again. This series is inherently a love letter to children’s adventure films from the ’80s like The Goonies and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. Unquestionably, it has the same sense of wonder and excitement that fully immerse you into the story.
Since it’s a series, it takes its time to fully introduce the characters and the world they live in before sending them into the unknown. It allows the audience to get a taste of a normal life in the Star Wars universe and to connect with them. They are ordinary people like us who end up experiencing something extraordinary. And like any good Amblin adventure at the heart of this story is friendship.
WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF PIRATES
Moreover, pirates have always had a role to play in the Star Wars universe. Hondo Ohnaka is a fan favourite character who appeared in The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels and even on the Smuggler’s Run ride at Galaxy’s Edge. And more recently, we’ve seen pirates in The Mandalorian season 3. But, it’s the first time we get a series that fully dives into the world of pirates. Setting this series during the New Republic era is a smart choice. Indeed, it’s the perfect time period to explore their world. Even though Thrawn is coming back, it’s a period of peace with the New Republic in power, so it’s a time when pirates can thrive in the dark. There is no war in the middle of all that.
I think it’s exciting to have pirates as the main threat in this series. Firstly, we get to know more about them. Secondly, it feels like the right kind of threat for such an adventure. It’s the right setting for plot twists and surprises. The pirates aesthetic in Skeleton Crew clearly draws inspiration from actual pirates but with the Star Wars vibe.
CAST AND CHARACTERS
The cast of young actors are all sweet in their respective roles. They are into their roles and give the best of what they can do. Each character has their own distinct personality and brings something to the overall dynamic of the group. However, I think everyone will agree that Neel is the real scene stealer among them. Everyone loves a cute little alien.
Furthermore, seeing Jude Law in Star Wars is a dream come true. He just fits right in. When you bring an actor like him into this universe, you don’t just give him a one sided character but you give him the full package. Jod Na Nawood is a multi-layered character. There is so much more to him than it first appears when you see him. Without any doubt, he will become a fan favourite. It’s compelling to have a character like this. As an audience member, you just want to know more about him.
VISUALS AND SOUNDTRACK
Skeleton Crew innovates in terms of visuals. It doesn’t give us a simple new desert planet or forest planet like the Sequels have done. In fact, it brings on the table visually rich new locations. At Attin is inspired by suburban America with its residential area. It’s a type of setting we’ve never seen before in Star Wars. It’s refreshing to see something different. At Attin also has a big city center that draws inspiration from American cities. I always love when Star Wars gives us big cities locations. That’s something the Prequels knew how to do. And Skeleton Crew does exactly that. Star Wars is a big universe, it would be boring if all we had was always desert planets. There are a lot of people in this galaxy so planets need big cities too.
On top of that, the pirate spaceport is visually refreshing too. It’s something new we haven’t seen before while also having the Star Wars DNA. There is so much to love about this series and the visuals have a lot to do with that. This series is filled with brand new locations and plenty of aliens. There are new species and some we’ve already seen before. It does a great job at worldbuilding. Skeleton Crew expands the galaxy in exciting new ways. There’s been a lot of love and care put into creating all of this.
Finally, Mick Giacchino has a very different approach to Star Wars music than what his father did with Rogue One. Obviously, it makes sense because these are two very different stories. For Skeleton Crew, Mick has composed a score that feels very much like Star Wars while also taking inspiration from adventure films. It’s an energetic score that transports you into the heart of the journey.
VERDICT
Skeleton Crew is a series that puts the fun back into Star Wars. It brings a refreshing perspective expanding this universe in exciting new ways. This series has compelling characters and Jude Law fits just right in. At its heart, it’s a love letter to children’s adventure films from the ’80s.
The 2-episode series premiere of Star Wars: Skeleton Crew is now streaming on Disney Plus.
Collectables and Anime Editor for Future Of The Force.
Star Wars expert and Japan connoisseur.
