Skeleton Crew

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.

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.

Watched the first two episodes and while there is a clear effort to create a "goonies in space" show here, what is so wrong with that? This is a much different take on a story existing in the Star Wars universe. I enjoyed the look and feel of what a suburban town looks like in this world because we have never really seen that. The town they come from reminded me more of the neighborhood from E. T. then anything we had seen recently in shows. The 4 main characters are typical but enjoyable, they each have their clearly defined roles in the group and are acted well by the actors. The pirate vibe isn't necessarily something we have seen played out before and adds a slightly spooky element and an atmosphere of danger. If this was a movie from the 80s it would have fit right in. Enjoying it so far for the new story telling elements in the Star Wars universe, the hints of nostalgia of movies of my childhood, and the fact I can share this Star Wars experience with my kids. Well done!

I cannot for the life of me understand why Obi Wan and The Acolyte look cheaper than this show. From a production standpoint Skeleton Crew has been the first Star Wars show in a while that feels expansive, full and fun.

For all the lack of passion that's been felt as an audience member of Star Wars for some time, the last place I'd expect to feel this IP redeem itself was a kids series. My favourite Star Wars films/shows have always been the darker ones, Episode 5, 3, Andor, some parts of Rogue One and the Mandalorian. But Skeleton Crew captures a perspective that's been sorely missed from Star Wars - kids.

I feel a sense of wonder, adventure and stakes I've not enjoyed from this universe in some time. It's also, rather exhaustingly, the only thoughtfully directed show they've put out besides Andor and a decent handful of The Mandalorian. There's actual scenes, actual character growth, mis en scene that's telling story instead of just looking 'Star Wars.' Star Wars has always been for kids as much as adults - the irony is it took them to make a kids show remind us that basic story telling craft still exists as Disney. Please keep making shows like this for kids, and please keep making shows like Andor for adults. It's the riding the middle that's continuously tanked the tone of other entries - Obi Wan is a perfect example. It had no idea who its audience was, and committed poorly to trying to fit in everyone. Boba Fett is another example that springs to mind.

Kudos to the showrunners for bringing something fresh to Star Wars. Sure, heavily influenced by the kids on bikes era - but a fresh take in this universe joyfully received by myself and my partner.

I think the series is great so far, but there is one problem that really annoys me: the running time. When I saw the first episode, I was so happy that it was about 40 minutes long. Then came episode two: if you include the flashback and the credits, it's not even 25 minutes. If I get 25 minutes of the series every week, I have to watch what happened the week before last. As soon as you can't really lose yourself in the universe, you've warmed up to it, it's already over. Incredibly unsatisfying! I'm probably not going to watch it for months and try to avoid all spoilers so that I can see the whole thing next year. As for the actors: my God, they're children. It's clear that they didn't have years of acting training. Nevertheless, the protagonists are likeable, the music fits and the action isn't too child-friendly. After two episodes, I'm excited to see what happens next, but unfortunately I won't find out until next year.