'Star Wars: Skeleton Crew' is a Welcome Return to the Franchise

         On December 2, 2024, Disney+ premiered 'Star Wars: Skeleton Crew', which has earned rave reviews from critics and a score of 95% on Rotten Tomatoes at the time of this writing. "Skeleton Crew tells the story of four kids searching for their home planet after getting lost in the Star Wars galaxy, and the strange aliens and dangerous places they encounter on their adventure." The ensemble cast includes Jude Law, Ravi Cabot-Conyersm Kerry Condon, Nick Frost, and Ryan Kiera Armstrong. But what did the critics say?

        Martin Robinson of London Evening Standard says, "The children are immensely likeable, the gags work and my nine-year old daughter was clinging to my arm with every kid-friendly jump scare and plot twist." Adding, "Episode two has the crew deposited in a pirate port where they discover their lovely home planet is something of mythical place for the locals, an El Dorado which nobody believes they’re actually from. But nobody dwells on that as the pirates get wind of the fact that Wim has some Old Republic credits on him, and soon the kids are running for their lives. Eventually, they wind up meeting Jod Na Nawood, played by Jude Law, a former pirate in chains, who seems to have Jedi powers…"

       Chase Hutchinson of TheWrap notes, "Yes, there are no actual wheels on their flying bikes and the tone isn’t as balanced as Spielberg’s films, though it has heart where it counts. It will most appeal to younger viewers, but adults who remember the Amblin era may too get swept up in it."

       Adrian Ruiz of But Why Tho? A Geek Community praises the series, stating, "The Star Wars: Skeleton Crew season premiere kicks off with a promise, laying down a mix of adventure, mystery, and those classic Star Wars vibes we’ve come to love. It’s clear from the start that this isn’t just another galaxy-spanning saga about Jedi and Sith—it’s something smaller, more personal, but no less exciting. These first two episodes focus heavily on the kids and their journey while leaving plenty of intriguing breadcrumbs about the larger galaxy they’re about to explore. Right from the opening moments, Skeleton Crew Episodes 1-2 tap into the DNA of Star Wars. The first episode,  ‘This Could Be A Real Adventure,” mirrors the legendary intro of A New Hope, but instead of the Empire looming large, we get pirates. And not the quirky, lovable kind—these are brutal, self-serving marauders who’ll turn on each other the second it benefits them. It’s chaotic, gritty, and perfectly sets the stage for a series more about surviving the galaxy’s dangers than fighting for a cause." Adding, "One of the standout elements of the premiere is the world-building. From the opening suburban-like setting to the gritty, alien-packed pirate hub of Borgo, Skeleton Crew makes the galaxy feel alive in a way that not every Star Wars project does. The practical effects on the aliens are stellar, and the environments feel immersive, like something you’d experience at Galaxy’s Edge or on the Galactic Starcruiser."

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