Star Wars goes ‘Goonies’ in ‘Skeleton Crew’
The latest Star Wars show on Disney+ is “Skeleton Crew,” created by Jon Watts (Marvel’s Spider-Man trilogy) and Christopher Ford. It’s the kid-friendliest of the bunch, essentially being akin to “Goonies” in the Star Wars universe. It’s about kids coming into contact with actual space pirates, led by Jude Law, in pursuit of hidden treasure.
Wim (Ravi Cabot-Conyers) and Neel (Robert Timothy Smith) are best friends on At Attin. Wim’s a daydreamer, bored with his everyday life, a bit selfish, kind of a brat. Neel, on the other hand, is just the sweetest. They meet another duo at school, Fern (Ryan Kiera Armstrong) and KB (Kyriana Kratter)—the former a headstrong rulebreaker aided by her Girl Friday (the latter). Due to various circumstances, the quartet find themselves jettisoned from their home planet, with no clue how to get home. Thankfully, they have a somewhat trusty droid in SM33 (a play on Smee from Peter Pan, voiced by Nick Frost), and then encounter the pirate captain Jod (Jude Law). Space hijinks ensue!
Sense of adventure and wonder
Showrunner/main cowriter Watts was able to round up a couple director pals for this show, which includes “Twisters” director Lee Isaac Chung, “The Green Knight” director David Lowery, and “Everything Everywhere All at Once” directing duo Daniels, fresh off their Oscar win. Watts himself directs the first two episodes, which introduce our intrepid adventurers and set them on their journey.
Skewing younger does have its rewards: it’s a refreshing change of pace after all the darkness of “The Acolyte” and back story of “Ahsoka,” and it aims to restore a sense of adventure and wonder to the general Star Wars universe. The humor is good-natured, and the kids are a delight (especially Smith and Kratter).
Where it can fumble is sometimes, it can be a little too immature. Plot shortcuts are plentiful, and clichés abound, especially in the kids’ personality archetypes, though this is forgiven for their charms (although, as we have crossed the halfway mark of the season, some depth and eventual character growth needs to come quick). There’s also a too-familiar feeling with each episode being expected steps on a narrative ladder (more surprises would be welcome). Apparently when this was originally pitched, it was as a self-contained movie, and it shows.
But it still has much to savor: the mystery surrounding their home of At Attin is genuinely intriguing. SM33, a peg-legged pirate droid with wonky memory and a rodent living in one eye socket is unlike any Star Wars droid you’ve ever seen, and Law’s charisma keeps viewers guessing as to his loyalties. Alia Shawkat voices a cartographer owl creature that’s a welcome character (and a case for more voice roles for Shawkat, who was excellent in HBO’s “Scavengers Reign”). Mathieu Kassovitz makes an appearance as a freedom fighter, as does Jaleel White (Urkel!) as a pirate/bounty hunter. Tunde Adebimpe and Kerry Condon (sans natural accent, alas) are among the kids’ parents, worried sick back on At Attin.
The biggest stumbling block so far is that in Neel they have one of the best Star Wars characters in recent years, but in Wim they have a careless brat that’s been getting them all in trouble. The dissonance can be annoying, and it better be a set up for some wisdom to be earned.
But the first half has shown enough confidence and fun to have some faith in the end run. We still have Alfred Molina to meet, and the mystery of At Attin to unravel. If the cast and team keep it up, this is a crew that could have legs.
