The Mandalorian and Grogu marks the big screen version of the popular Star Wars TV series on Disney+. Fans of the series might look at this as nothing more than an extended episode, but neophytes such as yours truly will probably find it to be a fun, well-paced and energetic romp.
The movie takes place after the fall of the Empire and centers on the duo of Pedro Pascal’s Din Djarin a.k.a. the Mandalorian and his pint-sized alien friend Grogu. Together, they go on missions, with the former a bounty hunter trying to take down imperial warlords. They receive a new mission to find the son of Jabba the Hutt, called Rotta (voiced by Jeremy Allen White).
The Mandalorian is meant to find Rotta without killing him, so he can return to his aunt and uncle. When the dynamic duo finds Rotta, he’s a gladiator in a pit who believes he will be given his freedom after his final match. Of course, the circumstances turn out to be a lot more complicated than that once the duo gets involved.
Sigourney Weaver costars as Ward, a leader for the New Republic who brought down the Empire. She’s responsible for giving the Mandalorian his assignment, but she doesn’t have very many scenes until the all-out climax, and her character is a bit underutilized until then. Mainly, she’s just used for the obligatory exposition.
The movie does have some fun special effects sequences, including Grogu wanting to fly virtually any spacecraft he sees, and the banter between him and the Mandalorian does work despite it being one-sided, as Grogu is largely a mute save for his occasional baby-like sounds.
Director/co-writer Jon Favreau delivers solid, serviceable action and captures the look and feel of a Star Wars film, even if the approach feels a little too safe. The Mandalorian and Grogu leans heavily on chase scenes and laser shootouts, but many of the action sequences follow familiar formulas instead of delivering the kind of excitement and originality that truly thrills audiences.
The opening scene is a good example, as when the giant robotic elephant-like creatures from The Empire Strikes Back engage in a snow-covered battle with our heroes. Fans will note the obvious similarities.
Despite some shortcomings in its story and lack of any real memorable action, the movie is surprisingly effective at giving its target audience what it demands. The Mandalorian and Grogu doesn’t pretend to be anything other than what its audience embraces — a mix of fun, cute moments from its titular duo punctuated by bouts of special effects sequences that work well without being overblown.
Will newbies want to start binge-watching the TV series after seeing it? Who knows? I just know the Force was just high enough with this one to recommend it.
