Skeleton Crew

Although Skeleton Crew is aimed at kids to bring in the next generation of Star Wars fans, it surprisingly appeals to older viewers too. In this Star Wars series, four kids discover a buried starship in the woods on At Attin, a peaceful and prosperous planet hidden in a galaxy full of pirates, greed, and chaos. Dreaming of adventure-at least some of them-the kids accidentally activate the ship and end up lost on the far side of the galaxy. Thankfully, the ship comes with a run-down droid who helps guide them. But since the kids have lived a sheltered life, they often stumble into trouble.

While it's unmistakably Star Wars, Skeleton Crew feels like an 80s kids' adventure movie-think The Goonies-but set in space. For long-time fans, it's packed with nostalgic touches, from the gear and spaceships to the alien creatures, all reminiscent of the original trilogy. Hardcore fans will also love the many Easter eggs sprinkled throughout, which bring back fond memories of the franchise's early days.

I especially appreciated seeing younger versions of various alien species we know from past films. It makes the galaxy feel more connected, showing that some alien races are a constant presence rather than one-off appearances. There are also fun cameos, like a brief glimpse of a boy who looks like a young Kylo Ren. These little details keep you hooked and eager to spot more.

Jude Law, the biggest star in the cast, doesn't appear until the end of the second episode, so it's hard to judge the overall acting quality early on. The young actors, though less experienced, do a decent job. Two of the main kids stand out, reminding me of performances in classics like The Goonies or Stand by Me. One of the four kids is a non-human alien, which makes it tricky to evaluate their acting, and another wears a cybernetic visor that hides much of their facial expression, bringing to mind Geordi La Forge from Star Trek.

The production quality is top-notch, with Disney's budget clearly on display. The special effects are flawless, leaving nothing to criticize. However, the episodes are quite short, and the long end credits-over five minutes-feel excessive. With only eight episodes in the season, I worry the story might not progress much unless the pace picks up significantly.

Despite these concerns, Skeleton Crew has been a pleasant surprise. It's fun, nostalgic, and engaging for viewers of all ages. I'm excited to see where the story goes and glad that it offers something even for adult fans of the Star Wars universe.

I'm approaching this review cautiously, acknowledging that 'Skeleton Crew' appears to be targeted towards a younger audience. While children may enjoy it, I found the first four episodes quite underwhelming.

The story lacks depth, feeling more like a children's movie that jumps from location to location without much consequence. The war backdrop feels superficial, and the action sequences lack the impact they should have.

The acting, while not terrible, could be stronger, especially considering the caliber of some of the cast members. Even Jude Law, at times, seems to be phoning it in.

The production design is impressive, but it can't save a story that feels slow-paced and ultimately rather forgettable.

Perhaps the series improves later on, but based on my initial viewing, I remain unconvinced. Please prove me wrong!

As most children of the Eighties I have fond memories of The Goonies, but I would be lying if I said that's the direction I desperately wanted for new Star Wars content.

I mean, after the disappointment of the sequel trilogy and many others - all Disney live-action content except Andor, Rogue One and the first two seasons of Mando I'd rate between mediocre and bad - I'm just starving for good mature, epic Star Wars content. Give me an Andor-like show set in the Old Republic with Jedi, Sith and Nick Gillard as stunt coordinator for the lightsaber battles.

HOWEVER... to be fair I will say that Skeleton Crew is okay. It's not offensive or poorly made; not obviously cheap like The Book of Boba Fett; not aimless like Season 3 of Mando; not lore-breaking like the sequels and Kenobi; not tone-deaf like the Acolyte.

Hooray?

This is basically Star Wars Goonies, a neat little story of a bunch of kids having an adventure in the Star Wars universe. The writing is decent: effects, costumes and locations look great: the whole thing has a certain charm.

I'm guessing this, similar to Andor, is a passion project for its creators and was seen as a minor side-project by the higher-ups, who did not therefore bother to get involved, which nowadays in Lucasfilm is a blessing.

So far, so good.

7,5/10.

From the previews I thought this was going to be terrible. I have only watched the first episode and was amazed at how enjoyable it was. I have high hopes for this one. Sort of Star Wars in the style of Spielberg. It might be intended for kids, but I still enjoy this style of story telling at my advanced age. The first episode was fun and engaging, and flowed well, and it didn't take itself too seriously. There is even a little social commentary. So far it's the second best series behind Endor, but that might change upon watching more episodes. I think this series is a good direction for the Disney/Star Wars combo.

Since I know a lot of hate will be directed towards this show because of the up-and-down of recent Star Wars, I'm happy to say that this is an up. So far...

The first 2 episodes don't tread new ground, or very original, but that's not a bother, since it delivers well on everything. The cast and their acting are great, costume/set design are probably the best we've seen since Andor, the writing, especially the hilarious banter between the kids, was good. Again, nothing new, but it's intriguing nonetheless, and I'm excited to keep watching. It gives me heavy Treasure Planet vibes.

As someone who hasn't enjoyed recent Star Wars myself, I was surprised by Skeleton Crew. I do hope that everyone slightly interested, or even upset with recent shows, gives it a chance. Don't let the "for kids," talk put you off. Star Wars is made for all, and so is this.