For nearly five decades, the world has been enthralled with George Lucas' creation, Star Wars. Beginning in 1977 with Star Wars: A New Hope, we have followed the trials and tribulations of the Rebel Alliance as they attempt to defeat the Empire from ruling the galaxy. From Luke, Leia, and Han to Darth Vader and Kylo Ren, we have embraced the stories of the Jedi and the Sith as they battle for dominance. We have seen movies, television shows, cartoons, and all manner of merchandising over the years, and now Disney has created yet another offering for younger audiences. Star Wars: Skeleton Crew will debut on Disney+ on December 2, 2024, at 9 pm.
Wim (Ravi Cabot-Conyers; Grassland) lives with his dad on a planet no one outside their atmosphere thinks exists. It is the talk of legend-an elusive planet full of riches. One day, when Wim was late for school, he discovered a "Jedi Temple" buried in the woods. When he told his father, Wim's schoolmate, Fern (Ryan Kiera Armstrong; Firestarter) overheard, and she and KB (Kyriana Kratter; The Healing Garden) beat Wim and his friend, Neel (Robert Timothy Smith; Dear Santa) back to the "temple." However, it turns out the temple was really a spaceship that blasted the kids into hyperspace with no way to find their way home again.
Despite being preteens, the main cast is pretty good. Cabot-Conyers plays a young man unable to live up to his father's expectations. Armstrong is a strong female character who is a leader, even though she sometimes comes across as a bully. Kratter and Smith are just followers, but they play an important role in this quartet. These relative newcomers are joined by veteran film actor, Jude Law (The Talented Mr. Ripley), who plays a mysterious, contradictory figure who may or may not be a Jedi.
Star Wars: Skeleton Crew is a live-action series that makes for some challenges. Let us start with the outer spaceships and travel. They are primitive at best and remind one of the special effects done in Star Wars: A New Hope or worse, Star Wars: The Phantom Menace. The "creatures," including Neel (who looks like an elephant), fare better than the spaceships but still leave a little to be desired. The sets, on the other hand, are well done and have the overall look and feel of a Star Wars galaxy.
Unfortunately, if the first three episodes are any indication, Star Wars: Skeleton Crew isn't going to be winning any awards. Overall, the acting isn't very good-sometimes even cringeworthy-except for Law. So far, he is the most interesting and intriguing character, though hopefully, the kids will also gain some depth as the series progresses. If the story doesn't expand, I fear it will be a one-note plot that will simply show four lost kids traveling aimlessly through space from port to port trying to find their way home to a planet no one believes is real. At least Law's character will offer something interesting and different...at least he should if done right.
If you happen to be a ten-year-old kid who has been raised on the Star Wars saga and loves everything about it, then this is the show for you. The best way I can find to describe it is as a mix of the 1960s Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys who got lost in outer space. The only deviation from that is Fern, who is bossy and mean-though that could be associated with later versions of Nancy Drew as well.
Sometimes Disney goes too far with their properties, and this is one time they probably should have left well enough alone and put Star Wars: Skeleton Crew on a shelf in the back of a storeroom.
Grade: C-
