29/40
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Four kids make a mysterious discovery on their home planet that lands them lost in a strange and dangerous galaxy. Jude Law stars in "Skeleton Crew" plus more stars from a galaxy far, far away. The holographic circus that entertains Neel’s young siblings is the same as Chewbacca’s family hour in the infamous The Star Wars Holiday Special (1978). Although Skeleton Crew was made for kids to bring in the next generation of Star Wars fans, it surprisingly appeals to older viewers as well. In this Star Wars series, four kids discover a buried starship in the Attin Forest, a peaceful and prosperous planet hidden in a galaxy full of pirates, greed, and chaos.
But since the kids live sheltered lives, they often get into trouble
The kids—some of them, at least—dream of adventure and accidentally activate the ship, ending up on the other side of the galaxy. Luckily, the ship is accompanied by a defunct droid to help guide them. While it’s clearly Star Wars, Skeleton Crew feels like an ’80s kid’s 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 reminiscent of the original trilogy. Hardcore fans will also love the many Easter eggs scattered throughout that bring back fond memories of the franchise’s early days.
The young actors, while less experienced, do a decent job
I especially appreciated seeing younger versions of the alien species from the previous films. It makes the galaxy feel more connected, showing that some alien species are a constant presence rather than a one-off. 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 hooked and make you want to see 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 early on.
The special effects are flawless, leaving no room for criticism
Two of the main kids stand out, and their performances are reminiscent of classics like The Goonies or Stand by Me. Of the four kids, one is a non-human alien, which makes it difficult to judge the acting, and the other wears cybernetic goggles that obscure most of their facial expressions, reminiscent of Geordi La Forge from Star Trek. The production quality is top-notch, with Disney’s budget clearly visible. However, the episodes are quite short, and the long ending – over five minutes – feels excessive. With only eight episodes in the season, I’m worried that the story won’t develop much unless the pace picks up significantly.
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Despite these concerns, Skeleton Crew was a pleasant surprise. It’s entertaining, nostalgic, and engaging for all ages. I’m excited to see where the story goes, and I’m glad that it has something to offer even adult fans of the Star Wars universe. "One Hundred Years of Solitude" is one of the biggest TV and streaming premieres this month.