We’re back baby! This is the most pure fun Star Wars project we’ve had since the release of The Force Awakens. Forget the Skywalker Saga, forget the Galactic Empire, forget the New Republic – Skeleton Crew follows a group of kids who get lost in the galaxy and must find their way home, sending them on an exciting adventure filled with strange aliens and dangerous planets.
While Skeleton Crew is confirmed to be set in the time period of The Mandalorian, this is the most isolated Star Wars project we’ve ever received… and wow it’s blissfully refreshing. This vibrant, whimsical series combines the best parts of Peter Pan, Treasure Planet and The Goonies to birth a spacefaring adventure full of wonder that appeals to the inner child of audiences of all ages. As a result it’s the most accessible Star Wars project for even the most casual of fans – there’s no prior knowledge required and plenty of fun to be had. For the die-hards, there’s a good number of references and hints at the goings-on of the wider universe, but it’s all so subtle and non-essential to the story that it’ll go unnoticed by anyone else. As one of said die-hards myself, I love this approach – I’ve been wanting original Star Wars stories that aren’t concerned with interconnected storytelling for a while, and now we’ve finally got that. The most noticeable benefit is that Skeleton Crew feels much lighter in not having to adhere strictly to existing lore and tie into the adventures of a Skywalker. It’s such a delight to experience a Star Wars narrative that appeals to your inner childhood with no strings attached, à la A New Hope.
Speaking of the narrative, Skeleton Crew’s adventure is a blast from start to finish – it’s fun and lighthearted, but also incorporates a few intriguing mysteries that span the length of the season. The mystery elements are a blast – they kept me going into each episode eager to learn more. From the beginning, it wastes no time in kicking off the kid-focused adventure, getting right into the action and maintaining a fast-moving pace as our characters hop between new danger-filled planets. This quick-on-its-feet approach works to eliminate any feeling of drag or repetition, moving things along when other shows might linger for too long. As much as the fast-moving action and adventure elements are exciting, it’s the character-centric beats that shine through.
Every now and then it will take a beat, pull back on the development of the core mystery and highlight the relationships of our core characters. This is where so much of the series’ heart and wholesome energy comes from. As the kids open up and become more comfortable with their fears and insecurities, we learn more about them and connect with them on a deeper level. These moments are essential in making this group of kids feel more like a tight-knit “skeleton crew”. There’s a wonderful balance between the action beats and the character-focused moments, and it maintains that the whole way through.
The face of the series is Jude Law, who makes his Star Wars debut as Jod Na Nawood, a force user who joins the crew on their quest to get home. Not only do I love everything the writers do with this character, but I love the cool suave with which Law plays the role. As you get to know the character more and more, the depth of his personality comes to light and reveals a layered, complex individual. Law brings a level of charm and this carefree vibe to the series, blending well with the younger cast while giving the series a slightly more mature edge. He’s an intriguing character, and Law does a great job bringing him to life. As much as Law is great, it’s the child actors that are the heart of the show. Ryan Kiera Armstrong (Fern), Ravi Cabot-Conyers (Wim), Kyriana Kratter (KB) and Robert Timothy Smith (Neel) are all wonderfully cast and share chemistry that leaps off the screen. They each get their moments to shine in the narrative – moments of fun and awe but also moments of vulnerability and learning. Across the series we see them interact in different pairs and help each other grow, each bringing a different quality to the crew dynamic.
The parent characters are neat, but they’re tossed to the side in order for the bulk of the series to focus solely on the kids. They usually get a scene or two to bookend the episodes, but overall they don’t exhibit too much growth and we don’t learn a whole lot about them. On the other hand, one supporting character who makes an immediate impact and becomes a beloved part of the crew is SM-33, a droid played by none other than Nick Frost. Frost brings so much life and personality to the droid through his voice alone that he lights up every scene he’s in. It’s always great when a Star Wars property can get you to care about the wellbeing of a droid, and this series does so impressively well.
In the end, Skeleton Crew is nothing short of a bundle of fun. It captures the heart of what is means to be a kid, exploring lands unknown and becoming exposed to the wonders of the world around you. It’s lighthearted and whimsical, with fun action sequences and adorable team-building moments aplenty. To put it simply, it’s a pirate adventure within the Star Wars universe… and that should be enough to get you on board. If you like The Goonies, or Treasure Planet or Peter Pan, this captures that same level of awe and wonder that will have a smile on your face throughout.
8.7/10
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