Oftentimes, fun is the primary word used to describe a film’s good effort despite falling short, or it’s a warning to “turn off your brain” and simply enjoy. Fun doesn’t mean what it once did.
I’m happy to report that despite its heavily debated creative direction, The Mandalorian & Grogu is a fun movie. Not the kind of fun that subtly damns a film with faint praise. It’s the kind of fun that reminds you why you fell in love with Star Wars.
I thought I was going to hate this movie because the trailers did nothing to get me excited. I learned ahead of time that the film is a self-contained adventure and does nothing to expand the sacred lore of a galaxy, far, far away.
It was a relief to know that in advance, because expecting a key ingredient only to find it missing would have left a bitter taste in my mouth. The film is an expanded standalone episode from the titular character’s Disney+ series.
The story follows Din Djarin, aka The Mandalorian, as he hunts leaders of the Imperial Remnant for the fledgling New Republic while mentoring his son and apprentice, Grogu. The Hutt Cartel offers the New Republic some vital intelligence, but only if Mando and Grogu rescue Rotta the Hutt, son of the late Jabba. The journey proves more than our heroes bargained for when treachery and peril test them like never before.
One of the big complaints about the film is that there is no character growth for either Mando or Grogu. It’s easy to see that with Mando, however, anyone who says Grogu didn’t grow as a character must not have been paying attention. Mando is down and out, which leaves Grogu to fend for himself. The little green guy makes a brave decision, builds a shelter to hide and nurse a poisoned Mando, and connects with The Force.
The Grogu seen in the TV show couldn’t have nursed Mando back to health with the poise and determination displayed in the film. Once Mando recovers, he looks upon his son and recognizes he’s grown beyond his station as a cute green accessory. Mando can be real with him and explain the pros and cons of taking the fight to the Hutts instead of going home to lick their wounds. Grogu not only understands the stakes but valiantly chooses to confront the monsters at their door.
John Williams’ celebrated composition is a part of Star Wars’ DNA. It’s hard to imagine anyone else creating the franchise’s primary sound until you listen to Ludwig Göransson’s innovative score. The Mandalorian series is revered for the three-time Oscar-winning composer’s blending of different musical genres. The breakout track Shakari captures the upbeat blend of synthesized and orchestral melodies that define the engaging score’s sweeping command throughout the film.
Grogu and the tiny droidsmiths, the Anzellans, bring plenty of laughs. Some of the gags, despite being old hat, never wear out their welcome. One thing you can always count on is for Grogu to use the Force to procure a snack. The bit is akin to a professional wrestler’s finishing maneuver. You never get tired of seeing it no matter how often it occurs, conjuring cheers or, in Grogu’s case, laughter in every outing.
Near the end of the second act, Mando’s precarious situation caused Grogu to try and help, only to hilariously make things worse. Eventually, the little guy gets it right, augmenting the trial-and-error moment with some well-placed humor.
Fun notwithstanding, problems run amok during the film’s 132-minute runtime. The film’s director, Jon Favreau, and new Lucasfilm creative head Dave Filoni penned the script, and it boasts some lazy writing. Disney Star Wars is not in the best place with the fandom these days, and the script does nothing to change that. There are some minor plot holes, such as the Razor Crest arriving at the New Republic base when Mando and Grogu were forced to leave the ship at their homestead on Nevarro.
Actor Jonny Coyne played remnant warlord Janu Coin. It sounds like a name ChatGPT would come up with. Coin’s identity was kept a mystery, which proved to be a double-edged sword. While the movie was designed for audiences to jump into the story without having seen the Disney+ show, those who watched the series already knew the mystery surrounding Coin, since he was revealed as a member of Moff Gedion’s Imperial shadow council in season three. It was weird watching a mystery unfold on screen when we already knew the answer.
Rotta the Hutt, voiced by Jeremy Allen White, was one of the standout characters. However, there were three moments in a short period of time where Rotta mentioned the difficulty of growing up in the shadow of his father, Jabba the Hutt. It came off weird and felt like the writers were going, “Hey, in case you forgot when he mentioned it ten minutes ago, Rotta is Jabba’s son.
In contrast, it was fun to see a good-guy Hutt, considering they’re always portrayed as bad guys. Rotta forming a big-brother relationship with Grogu was heartwarming and could make them a popular duo in the future, since it gives Grogu a friend who will live as long as he does. Luke Skywalker reminded Grogu in The Book of Boba Fett that a short time for him is a lifetime for someone else.
Sigourney Weaver, the star of the Alien franchise, in a Star Wars movie seemed like a can’t-miss idea. Unfortunately, that Ellen Ripley gravitas never came through in the film. Weaver’s Colonel Ward sounded like she was reading her lines off a napkin. Weaver’s performance was even worse during the aerial battle, as she sounded bored while giving orders from the cockpit of her X-Wing fighter. The script didn’t give Weaver much to work with, and she probably knew it, making it the easiest paycheck of her career.
One question every film must ask is whether it justified its existence. That question is even more relevant to Mando & Grogu because, despite how much fun I had, I don’t know why Lucasfilm made this movie, especially since it’s Star Wars’ first theatrical release in seven years. In addition, the movie follows the heavily panned third season of The Mandalorian, which aired three years ago.
I saw the movie with my father, who is a casual Star Wars fan. He pointed out a moment in the film where he thought a possible connection between Grogu and Yoda would be revealed. He was right: it would have been the perfect moment for such a revelation, which made me wonder if my father was let down by the lack of connection to the overall universe; imagine how die-hard fans must feel.
Lucasfilm focused more on making a safe movie than a good one. That decision is easy to understand, given the online vitriol Disney Star Wars has received for nearly a decade; however, the powers that be played it too safe with Mando & Grogu. You can get away with that once in a blue moon; however, Star Wars’ 2027 theatrical release, Starfighter, can’t afford to play it safe. Doing so would be a catastrophic mistake for the franchise.
Despite its flaws and inability to deepen the lore, The Mandalorian and Grogu is a worthwhile adventure that effectively highlights the main characters. It’s a strong entry point and a gateway film to the franchise. Impressive action scenes, familiar humor, and heartwarming themes of growth and courage truly embody the spirit of Star Wars.
RingsideLogic.com 