Each few months, Disney+ invitations us again to a galaxy far, distant. Whereas we haven’t gotten a brand new Star Wars film since 2019, we’ve gotten a plethora of content material set on this well-known franchise. The latest addition? Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, which is a coming-of-age present that follows 4 youngsters who find yourself on an journey to make their means dwelling after being misplaced within the galaxy. Very like with the MCU, Disney+ has been a platform for franchises to experiment with many various kinds. This new present is nothing like The Mandalorian, The E-book of Boba Fett, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Andor, Ahsoka, or The Acolyte.
The primary three episodes of Star Wars: Skeleton Crew promise a enjoyable, low-stakes journey into the galaxy we all know and love. Those that have seen the trailers could also be apprehensive a couple of present that doesn’t really feel very very similar to Star Wars. And whereas Jude Regulation portrays a Drive-wielder, the present positively has a really totally different really feel all through. The purpose is much less to make an epic blockbuster however extra to make a traditional ’80s journey. Within the vein of outdated Amblin motion pictures like E.T. the Further-Terrestrial and The Goonies, we’ve got a gaggle of children residing their peculiar lives earlier than discovering the extraordinary.
Set after Return of the Jedi, this collection reimagines the Star Wars galaxy by the eyes of kids. It’s an attention-grabbing take as a result of it seems like a childlike journey that solely occurs to be set in a world we all know and love. Once we’re first launched to our essential characters, they don’t seem to be too accustomed to every little thing we’ve seen from the galaxy. Wim, performed by Ravi Cabot-Conyers, needs to be a Jedi and is amazed when he believes he has found a Jedi temple in his small city. Nevertheless, his father is preoccupied with work and doesn’t imagine him, which leaves Wim to research together with his buddy Neel (Robert Timothy Smith).
A toddler’s have a look at the world affords optimism that not each Star Wars protagonist has. They’ve a marvel to them that additionally comes with totally different priorities and dangerous choices. Whereas most Star Wars motion pictures and reveals are about political battles, oppression, and crime, this present has characters nervous about being late for varsity, taking exams, and looking for enjoyable in an unremarkable place. It’s a brand new taste that Jon Watts brings right here, just like what he did with the Spider-Man motion pictures he directed for the MCU. This present is created by Watts and Christopher Ford, who had beforehand collaborated on Clown, Cop Automotive, and Spider-Man: Homecoming. They bring about a brand new taste to Star Wars that feels welcome to the franchise.
We’re much less targeted on Jedi, Sith, the Empire, and the Insurrection on this present. However Star Wars: Skeleton Crew doesn’t want it; we’ve got house pirates, blasters, and the Drive. That is undeniably a Star Wars present, even when many scenes and conditions really feel new. The pacing all through the primary three episodes is great, and the present picks up increasingly as we introduce new characters. A flaw that Skeleton Crew has early on is that the protagonist, Wim, is consistently making dangerous choices that propel the story ahead. It is smart as a result of when your character is a toddler if and so they see a flashing gentle, they’re going to be curious sufficient to press it; that’s what number of youngsters are.
However it may be irritating, particularly when supporting characters like Fern (Ryan Kiera Armstrong) are a lot smarter than him. Beginning within the second episode, the present begins to introduce new characters, like a droid named SM 33, voiced by Nick Frost, and a mysterious Drive-wielding stranger performed by Regulation. From right here, the present turns into a way more entertaining ensemble piece, even when it seems like the event of the kids involves a little bit of a standstill. The present spends extra time creating its story and background of their world than it does creating every of the youngsters as folks. Nevertheless, this problem could hopefully be addressed in later episodes of the present.
Whereas Star Wars: Skeleton Crew can really feel low stakes in comparison with the remainder of the galaxy, it is a present a couple of group of misplaced youngsters who have to return dwelling. You will discover your self getting extra invested within the hazard since you don’t need to see dangerous issues occur to those youngsters, and so they usually discover themselves in environments that put them in danger. This present manages to be lighthearted and entertaining, not aiming for the best of highs and as a substitute aiming to be a enjoyable present meant for the entire household. It’s positively a extra grounded take that each one audiences can watch quite than a darkish have a look at the seedier points of the galaxy. It’s a present that younger youngsters can take pleasure in, however adults can take pleasure in it simply as a lot.
SCORE: 7/10
As sondramedia’s evaluate coverage explains, a rating of seven equates to “Good.” A profitable piece of leisure that’s price trying out, however it might not attraction to everybody.
Disclosure: sondramedia acquired screeners for our Star Wars: Skeleton Crew evaluate.