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Skeleton Crew
Jan. 14th, 2025 01:48 pm= Star Wars: Skeleton Crew =
The acquisition of Star Wars by Disney has had something of a spotted history. 'The Force Awakens' was an exciting return of the franchise to the screen deliberately designed to push feelgood buttons hard enough to hide just how much of a re-tread it was of the first trilogy. However, it had all that was good about JJ Abrams but - notably - all that is bad about JJ Abrams (i.e. mostly a lot of mystery boxes with no payoff). The wheels wobbled with 'Last Jedi' and 'Rise of Skywalker' for well-litigated reasons. 'Rogue One' was good. 'Solo' was OK.
On TV, the Mandalorian has been solid entertainment. Other projects have been mostly fine (Book of Boba Fett being the worst, imo) with 'Andor' being an elevated and fresh perspective on the Galaxy.
All of which brings us to Skeleton Crew. I love Skeleton Crew.
It could have been dreadful, starting with four child protagonists. However, the kids are very well played and if they have annoying moments it is well-judged and dare-I-say accurate. They squabble, they dream, they goof off when they should be serious - and they are a mix of brave and terrified.
The pitch may be "Star Wars + Goonies" and thats true to a point but its more. The Treasure Island references are strong with pirates galore, a droid called SM33 which is meta in an acceptable way, and then there is Long John Silver or rather Jon Silva. Jude Law is crushing it with this character, playing it with more layers than twenty cakes. He has grandiose highs and terrible lows. Is he a surrogate parent? A black-hearted villain? All of the above and nothing?
He has no business being this good in a "kids show". And thats the lie. Skeleton Crew is not a kids show. Its an all-age show with kids in. The comedy is funny. The Chekov plot devices are well woven and pay off well. Its clearly set in the War Wars setting but is not beholden to other Star Wars content.
I just hope that it sticks the landing.
The acquisition of Star Wars by Disney has had something of a spotted history. 'The Force Awakens' was an exciting return of the franchise to the screen deliberately designed to push feelgood buttons hard enough to hide just how much of a re-tread it was of the first trilogy. However, it had all that was good about JJ Abrams but - notably - all that is bad about JJ Abrams (i.e. mostly a lot of mystery boxes with no payoff). The wheels wobbled with 'Last Jedi' and 'Rise of Skywalker' for well-litigated reasons. 'Rogue One' was good. 'Solo' was OK.
On TV, the Mandalorian has been solid entertainment. Other projects have been mostly fine (Book of Boba Fett being the worst, imo) with 'Andor' being an elevated and fresh perspective on the Galaxy.
All of which brings us to Skeleton Crew. I love Skeleton Crew.
It could have been dreadful, starting with four child protagonists. However, the kids are very well played and if they have annoying moments it is well-judged and dare-I-say accurate. They squabble, they dream, they goof off when they should be serious - and they are a mix of brave and terrified.
The pitch may be "Star Wars + Goonies" and thats true to a point but its more. The Treasure Island references are strong with pirates galore, a droid called SM33 which is meta in an acceptable way, and then there is Long John Silver or rather Jon Silva. Jude Law is crushing it with this character, playing it with more layers than twenty cakes. He has grandiose highs and terrible lows. Is he a surrogate parent? A black-hearted villain? All of the above and nothing?
He has no business being this good in a "kids show". And thats the lie. Skeleton Crew is not a kids show. Its an all-age show with kids in. The comedy is funny. The Chekov plot devices are well woven and pay off well. Its clearly set in the War Wars setting but is not beholden to other Star Wars content.
I just hope that it sticks the landing.
