The Mandalorian and Grogu – Review

It has been almost six and a half years since the last Star Wars film, so naturally I was excited to return to a galaxy far, far away.

The Mandalorian and Grogu is different from most Star Wars films, and that may be a good thing.

On one hand, it feels like the perfect film to attract new audiences. On the other, it may not be what long-time fans expect. I have a soft spot for it because I genuinely believe most people will enjoy it.

The good news is that you do not need to have watched The Mandalorian television series to understand the film. It largely stands on its own and does not continue any major storylines from previous Star Wars films. Even viewers with little or no knowledge of the franchise should be able to follow it. In many ways, it works as an alternative introduction to the Star Wars universe, and that is something it does particularly well.

As someone who has watched most of the films and series, I cannot say the story offers much that feels new. The television series was essentially a western set in space, and this film does not fully carry over that same tone or atmosphere. What it does have, however, is a strong cast.

Grogu, better known as Baby Yoda, steals almost every scene despite being a puppet. Pedro Pascal returns as Din Djarin, while Brendan Wayne and Lateef Crowder once again provide the physical performance as his stunt doubles. Jeremy Allen White voices Rotta the Hutt, delivering a strong performance regardless of the dialogue he is given.

I also loved the production design. While some of the visual effects occasionally looked unfinished, the character designs and practical effects alone make the film worth seeing on the big screen. Perhaps I am simply excited to watch a Star Wars film in cinemas again, but I genuinely think much of it looks fantastic.

Most of the action sequences are enjoyable.

Underwhelming

The final fight scene is easily the strongest because hand-to-hand combat feels far more personal than another large-scale shootout. A few action scenes, however, felt underwhelming, and I would have liked to see Grogu use more of his Force abilities.

The aspect I enjoyed most was Ludwig Göransson's soundtrack. His music elevates the entire film, bringing scenes to life and helping define its identity. The score alone adds an extra star to my rating.

I know this film will divide fans, largely because Star Wars fans rarely agree on anything. Is it the best Star Wars film? No. Is it better than several of the recent entries? Absolutely. It does not add much to the wider mythology, but it does not take anything away either. It is simply a fun and entertaining cinema experience.

I have loved Star Wars since I was seven years old. Unlike many fans, my introduction to the franchise was Return of the Jedi, followed by Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. That probably explains my enduring affection for characters such as the Ewoks and Grogu.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars.