25/35
Featured in AniMat’s crazy cartoon cast: Silly Old Deadly Bear (2022)
Plot
Four children make a mysterious discovery on their home planet, which leads them to get lost in a strange and dangerous galaxy. Jude Law in “Skeleton Crew”; and more stars from a galaxy far, far away.. The holographic circus that entertains Neel’s little brothers is the same as Chewbacca’s family clock from the infamous The Star Wars Holiday Special (1978). While Skeleton Crew is aimed at the next generation of Star Wars fans, it surprisingly appeals to older viewers as well. In this Star Wars series, four children find a ship buried in the forest on At Attin, a peaceful and prosperous planet hidden in a galaxy full of pirates, greed, and chaos.
Luckily, the ship comes with a scrap droid to help guide them
Dreaming of adventure – at least some of them are – the kids accidentally activate a ship and get lost on the other side of the galaxy. But because the kids have led sheltered lives, they often run into 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 details, from equipment and spaceships to alien creatures, all reminiscent of the original trilogy. Die-hard fans will also love the many Easter eggs sprinkled throughout, bringing back fond memories of the early days of the franchise.
The young actors, while less experienced, do a decent job
I especially enjoyed seeing younger versions of the various alien species we know from the previous films. It makes the galaxy feel connected, showing that some alien races are a constant presence rather than isolated events. There are also some fun cameos, like a brief glimpse of a boy who looks like a young Kylo Ren. These little details will keep you hooked and eager to find out more. The biggest star of the cast, Jude Law, doesn’t appear until the end of the second episode, so it’s hard to judge the overall quality of the cast ahead of time.
The production quality is top-notch
Two of the main kids stand out and remind me of performances from classics like The Goonies or Stand by Me. One of the four kids is a non-human alien, which makes it difficult to judge their actors, and another has a cybernetic visor that covers much of their facial expression, reminiscent of Geordi La Forge from Star Trek. – notch, and Disney’s budget is clearly visible. The special effects are impeccable and there’s nothing to complain about. However, the episodes are quite short, and the long credits – more than five minutes – seem excessive.
See more in our December calendar!
With only eight episodes in the season, I’m worried that the story might not progress much unless the pace picks up significantly. 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, and I’m glad it offers something for adult fans of the Star Wars universe as well. "One Hundred Years of Solitude" is one of the biggest TV and streaming premieres this month.