TV Review: ‘Star Wars: Skeleton Crew’

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(L to R) Wim (Ravi Cabot-Conyers), Jod Na Nawood (Jude Law), KB (Kyriana Kratter), Neel (Robert Timothy Smith), and Fern (Ryan Kiera Armstrong) in Lucasfilm’s ‘Star Wars: Skeleton Crew’, exclusively on Disney+. ©2024 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.

Launching with its first two episodes on Disney+ Monday, December 2nd, ‘Star Wars: Skeleton Crew’ is Lucasfilm’s latest attempt to spark success with a series set in the galaxy that George Lucas created.

Here, ‘Spider-Man’ trilogy director Jon Watts and regular collaborator Christopher Ford have concocted a fun romp that sends a group of young characters on an adventure beyond the borders of their mundane suburban planet.

Does ‘Star Wars: Skeleton Crew’ Launch Well?

(L to R) KB (Kyriana Kratter) and Fern (Ryan Kiera Armstrong) in Lucasfilm's 'Star Wars: Skeleton Crew', exclusively on Disney+. ©2024 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.

Getting new ‘Star Wars’ TV series off the ground can be a dicey affair these days –– for every ‘Mandalorian,’ or ‘Andor,’ there’s a ‘Book of Boba Fett’ or ‘The Acolyte,’ which don’t enjoy the same level of impact or fan embrace.

‘Skeleton Crew’ benefits from charting its own course, being recognizably set in the universe of ‘Star Wars’ but also injecting plenty of its own personality. Focusing on younger characters in search of adventure –– one needs a power convertor for something but is far less whiny than the young Luke Skywalker –– brings a much-needed level of charm and infectious, youthful energy.

Script and Direction

(L to R) Kyrianna Kratter, Ryan Kiera Armstrong and Jon Watts on the set of Lucasfilm's 'Star Wars: Skeleton Crew', exclusively on Disney+. ©2024 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.

Creators Jon Watts and Christopher Ford co-wrote all eight episodes, with Myung Joh Wesner assisting on two. And that consistent tone and feel through the show means that ‘Skeleton Crew’ stays entertaining.

The writers have crafted some appealing characters here, and also layered in more than one mystery without coming across as some frustrating puzzle box overpowering everything.

Watts, who handles the first episode (and the last), has assembled a batch of heavy hitters to direct the various other episodes, including ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ duo Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, Bryce Dallas Howard (an old hand at ‘Star Wars’ TV at this point, ‘Twisters’ Lee Isaac Chung, ‘Beef’ helmer Jake Schreier and ‘The Green Knight’s David Lowery.

While only the first three episodes were given the press, the show has a style all of its own already, especially given the starting point on a colony world that has its own secrets, but whose appearance puts you in mind of movies such as ‘E.T.’ and, as previously referenced, ‘The Goonies.’

Once things go off-world, the show still maintains a unique vibe, crammed full of pirates and other disreputable types as one of the first stops is a hive of scum and villainy (no, not that one, a space port with its own identity). And the first episode is nimbly edited by Andrew S. Eisen, who brings a sense of energy and helps define the tone of the show early on.

Performances

(L to R) Jod Na Nawood (Jude Law) and Neel (Robert Timothy Smith) in Lucasfilm's 'Star Wars: Skeleton Crew', exclusively on Disney+. ©2024 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.

Jude Law might be the star name here, but the focus is also on the young performers, and they all acquit themselves well.

Ravi Cabot-Conyers as Wim

Wim is our initial anchor point, a young man who is struggling with future plans (as in, he’s not sure he has many, aside from a wistful dream of becoming a Jedi) and has an oft-absent father (played by Tunde Adebimpe’s kindly but busy widower) who, along with his nervier best friend Neel, is often getting into scrapes.

Cabot-Conyers brings him to life in entertaining fashion, without ever coming across as being annoying.

(L to R) Neel (Robert Timothy Smith) and Wim (Ravi Cabot-Conyers) with hoverbikes in Lucasfilm's 'Star Wars: Skeleton Crew', exclusively on Disney+. ©2024 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.

Robert Timothy Smith as Neel

Neel, Wim’s best friend, is an appealing, sweet character who resembles a young Max Rebo from ‘Return of the Jedi’ (but is reportedly his own species), and a bundle of nerves who is nevertheless loyal to Wim.

Smith, playing the part with the help of some complex prosthetics and CG, is a superb sidekick and works well as a character.

Ryan Kiera Armstrong as Fern

Armstrong brings spirit and some sly humor to the tomboyish character of Fern, who loves nothing more than racing speeder bikes and pushing back against her officious mother (Kerry Condon).

Kyriana Kratter as KB

Fern’s best friend, KB has her own technological secrets, but is also a great addition to the foursome. She’s careful and logical, but willing to go along with their schemes.

Jude Law as Jod Na Nawood

Jod Na Nawood (Jude Law) is closely examined by security droid eyestalks while his young partners stand back in Lucasfilm’s ‘Star Wars: Skeleton Crew’, exclusively on Disney+. ©2024 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.

Law comes across as a blend of Obi-Wan Kenobi and Han Solo, and while that might sound strange, it actually works here.

He’s also something of a mystery, but never one that is frustrating –– and Law naturally has nuclear levels of charm, clearly reveling in the chance to cut loose and have fun.

Other Notable Characters

Vane (Marti Matulis) in Lucasfilm's 'Star Wars: Skeleton Crew', exclusively on Disney+. ©2024 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.

Though we can’t talk about many of the characters who show up even in these early episodes because of spoilers, there are some good supporting performances going on here, including some pirates and a wealth of other aliens.

Final Thoughts

(L to R) Jod Na Nawood (Jude Law), KB (Kyriana Kratter), Wim (Ravi Cabot-Conyers), Fern (Ryan Kiera Armstrong), and Neel (Robert Timothy Smith) in Lucasfilm’s ‘Star Wars: Skeleton Crew’, exclusively on Disney+. ©2024 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.

‘Star Wars: Skeleton Crew’ is a worthy addition to the ranks of small-screen stories set in the galaxy far, far away. Watts and have collaborators have created a lively, funny and adventurous series, that, while it takes a moment to get going, heads to some entertaining places with characters you’ll root for.

‘Star Wars: Skeleton Crew’ receives 8.5 out of 10 stars.

“A Star Wars adventure.”

TV-PG1 SeasonsDecember 2nd, 2024

Four ordinary kids search for their home planet after getting lost in the Star Wars galaxy. Read the Plot

What is the plot of ‘Star Wars: Skeleton Crew’?

Four children (Ravi Cabot-Conyers, Ryan Kiera Armstrong, Robert Timothy Smith and Kyriana Kratter) end up on an adventure to make their way home after being lost in the galaxy following a discovery they make on their home planet.