Honest or not, “Star Wars” will at all times be judged with sky-high expectations. Lucasfilm’s difficulties in restoring their crown jewel to cinemas have been well-documented by now, whereas the ever-expanding “Mando-verse” appears to point a extra interconnected (and, frankly, uninspired) endgame filled with crossovers and cameos and “Glup Shitto”-levels of pandering to fanboys. Skeptics could be properly inside their rights for doubting {that a} family-friendly streaming sequence particularly made for youths would one way or the other be the franchise’s salvation. And, to be completely trustworthy, it is not — nor ought to or not it’s.
As a substitute, the common-or-garden goals of “Skeleton Crew” merely level the way in which in direction of a brighter and extra hopeful future. At a time when all the things at all times loops again round to the Skywalker household saga, right here comes a simple, unassuming, and totally entertaining romp that has no larger pretensions past telling a worthwhile, self-contained story boosted by the jaunty rating of composer Mick Giacchino and his killer major theme. In contrast to “The Mandalorian” or “Ahsoka,” there aren’t any pink flags of issues devolving into Easter egg hunts or a parade of cameos. And the place so many prior productions get misplaced up their you-know-what attempting to craft integral additions to “Star Wars” canon, this sequence manages to steadiness its world-building ambitions and small-scale stakes with ease. Generally, as Wim places it succinctly early on, merely permitting one thing to be “completely wizard” may be sufficient.
Does that imply this “Star Wars” sequence is the very best of all of them? Not fairly; the sequence (or, quite, the primary three of eight whole episodes screened to critics beforehand) nonetheless suffers from a few of the identical points which have plagued the overwhelming majority of non-“Andor” reveals. Sick of that conspicuously flat-looking StageCraft aesthetic and people drab, sludge-grey visuals that outline so many Disney releases? Properly, it is again and muddier than ever, although administrators of pictures Sean Porter and David Klein assist make environments look way more dynamic as soon as our crew heads into house. Hoping that this could be the uncommon case the place a assassin’s row of administrators lastly will get to place its unmistakable stamp on a significant blockbuster IP? Thus far, there’s little or no proof hinting at that, if that’s the case. However what this sequence lacks in visible panache, it greater than makes up for with coronary heart, a goofy humorousness, and clearly-defined storytelling priorities.
There is no telling whether or not the artistic workforce in the end sticks the touchdown or not however, for as soon as, that just about appears like a secondary concern. The journey to no matter vacation spot stays in retailer has already earned the advantage of the doubt. Within the meantime, “Skeleton Crew” is a breath of recent air, due to the children main the way in which.
/Movie Ranking: 7 out of 10
“Star Wars: Skeleton Crew” streams on Disney+ with a two-episode premiere December 2, 2024 at 9 pm ET/6 pm PT.
