46/11
Featured in AniMat Casting’s crazy cartoon: Silly Old Deadly Bear (2022)
Four kids make a mysterious discovery on their home planet that leads them to become lost in a strange and dangerous galaxy. Jude Law in “Skeleton Crew” and other stars from a galaxy far, far away. The holographic circus that entertains Neel’s younger siblings is the same one the Chewbacca family watches in the infamous Star Wars Holiday Special (1978). Although Skeleton Crew is aimed at kids to attract the next generation of Star Wars fans, it also appeals to older viewers. In this Star Wars series, four kids discover a spaceship buried in the woods of At Attin, a peaceful and prosperous planet hidden in a galaxy full of pirates, greed, and chaos.
Luckily, the ship is accompanied by a ramshackle droid to help guide them
Dreaming of adventure – at least some of them – the kids accidentally activate the ship and find themselves lost on the other side of the galaxy. But since the kids have lived sheltered lives, they often find themselves in trouble. While it’s undeniably Star Wars, Skeleton Crew feels like an ’80s kids’ adventure movie—think The Goonies—but set in space. For longtime fans, it’s full of nostalgic touches, from the gear and spaceships to the alien creatures, all of which are nods to the original trilogy. Die-hard fans will also love the many Easter eggs scattered throughout, which harken back to the early days of the franchise.
The younger actors, while less experienced, do a decent job
I particularly enjoyed seeing younger versions of various alien species we know from previous films. It gives the galaxy a more connected feel, showing that certain alien races are a constant presence rather than one-offs. There are also some fun cameos, like a brief glimpse of a boy who looks like a young Kylo Ren. These little details keep you on the edge of your seat and wanting more. Jude Law, the biggest star of the cast, doesn’t appear until the end of the second episode, so it’s hard to judge the overall quality of the acting right from the start.
The special effects are impeccable, leaving nothing to complain about
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, making it hard to judge their acting, and another wears a cybernetic visor that hides much of his facial expression, reminiscent of Star Trek’s Geordi La Forge. The production quality is top-notch, with Disney’s budget clearly on display. However, the episodes are quite short and the long end credits – over five minutes – seem excessive. With only eight episodes left in the season, I worry that the story won’t progress much unless the pace picks up significantly.
Check out our December schedule for more!
Despite these concerns, Skeleton Crew was a pleasant surprise. It’s fun, nostalgic, and engaging for viewers of all ages. I’m excited to see where the story goes next, and I’m glad it offers something even for adult fans of the Star Wars universe. “One Hundred Years of Solitude” is one of the biggest TV and streaming premieres this month.