Star Wars has always been for kids. George Lucas said so himself and if you’re reading this, you were likely first exposed to the franchise as a child. I say this not to excuse the poor appeals to children that Lucas and Disney have made throughout the years, but to establish why I was skeptical about a kid-centric spinoff. There’s also the now-ancient specter of The Phantom Menace that creeps into mind anytime children are involved with this franchise.
I’m pleased to report that Star Wars: Skeleton Crew exceeded all my, admittedly low, expectations. The series follows four children as they journey back to their planet after getting lost in a galaxy far, far away. There’s more to it than that, but this is a classic coming-of-age adventure with a Star Wars twist. That it works so well is a testament to the kids involved.
Led by Ravi Cabot-Conyers as Wim, the cast of child actors have a fun dynamic with one another that makes up for their thin characterization. It also helps that they talk and act like actual children. You’ve got Wim as our adventurous protagonist and his best friend and resident alien Neel as the comedy sidekick. With Fern as the scoundrel-type, always looking for a scam and her friend, the tech geek KB. Add in decrepit, pirate robot SM-33 (Nick Frost) and the promise of Jude Law and you’ve got yourself a solid cast.
If you’ve seen any sort of press for this show, you’ve heard “Amblin Entertainment” listed as a heavy influence. Co-creators Christopher Ford and Jon Watts have dropped the Spielberg-backed production company’s name in multiple interviews. You can see the influence in everything from the suburbs that our quartet call home to the overworked, often absent parents. Even the visual style calls to mind hits like E.T. and The Goonies.
Skeleton Crew overdoes it at times with its lighthearted tone, but never lets you forget that there are real stakes here. These are children thrust into a situation that has put them in constant danger. That the show never shies away from reminding you of their mortal peril is a point in its favor. It’s light and breezy, with a tinge of the darkness necessary for this story to work.
Star Wars is at its best when it has obvious influences to work off of. This show takes the children’s adventure films of the 80s and filters them through the franchise, creating something new. That it doesn’t feel like a rehash or a series of references for fans is a welcome relief. Skeleton Crew succeeds by keeping things simple and sometimes that’s all you need.