Films for Breakfast

Note: This is a review of episodes 1-3 of the series

I don’t think it’s controversial to say that the Star Wars brand has had a massive dip within audience trust and interest over the last few years – and this is coming from someone who enjoyed two of the most largely detested entries in The Last Jedi (a masterpiece) and The Acolyte (messy, but fun in spades). The Skeleton Crew provides the franchise with an opportunity to shy away from the general Skywalker Saga-era and to completely avoid characters we know and love, and hopefully create something new. The show follows four kids who make a mysterious discovery on their home planet, which leads them to get lost in a strange and dangerous galaxy, with their paths crossing with a mysterious man (played by Jude Law).

One thing that is abundantly clear about Skeleton Crew from the moment it starts is that it is less concerned with trying to fit into the canon and lore of Star Wars but instead being a throwback adventure show akin to something like The Goonies. Creators Christopher Ford and Jon Watts (director of Tom Holland’s Spider-Man) trilogy have been very vocal about their intentions and influences with the show, and from the moment it begins, you can feel that vibe within the character interactions and how it presents the characters. It’s immediately more concerned with getting you acquainted to this band of misfit kids than it is in trying to show you things you remember or that may connect to the larger franchise.

Within any show that is led by child actors, it’s imperative that they actually deliver solid performances. In the case of Skeleton Crew, the kids here have reliably entertaining and believable chemistry with one-another, even if they don’t deliver the most impressive of performances. The first episode is very introductory to not only this cast of characters, but also the tone of the show in general. And for my money, it is easily the weakest link of the three episodes I saw – the world building is a little too meandering and the moments between the kids feel a bit too artificial to make them standout.

However, after the second episode starts, I feel like the show truly finds its groove within the story its trying to tell. Namely due to a mysterious stranger played by Jude Law, who immediately adds a lot of gravitas and weight to the show. It also helps that he plays off the kids well, making for an entertaining camaraderie between them all. The introduction to Jude Law’s nameless character also helps drive the story forward, as the first episode feels as if it is simply running in place and trying to coast off its own charm. As the show hits its third episode, it feels like it truly finds its stride as the cast of kids work well together, Jude Law plays off them well, and there is a fun droid in the mix named SM-33 (played by the great Nick Frost). On top of that, the third episode actually leans into the adventure elements that were promised when the show was conceived, and it fully leans into throwing these kids into a dangerous and crazy situation, while also paving way for a potentially interesting and larger story than I initially anticipated.

From a visual standpoint, the show is a bit of a mixed bag. There are some amazing practical sets on display and gorgeous makeup within the creatures, but also some truly cheap looking costumes and makeup on other characters. I feel like this is a pretty common issue with the Disney+ Star Wars series, as they feel massive in scope but fail to feel as detail-oriented and grainy as the films do. This leaves us with a digital, glossy feeling and aesthetic that feels rather artificial rather than tangible and visually interesting.

By the time I got to the end of the third episode, I found myself mildly entertained by how weightless the plot felt and how the three episodes breezed by. With that being said, I can’t say it feels like the shot to the heart that Star Wars desperately needs at the moment. I understand this is mostly a kids show and shouldn’t have massive expectations behind it, but to me, it simply feels like another middle of the road entry to the canon. I’m sure kids will love it, but as it stands for me, it purely works as mindless and light entertainment but won’t stand up against the first two seasons of The Mandalorian or Andor.

3/5