After three seasons on Disney+,The Mandalorian TV series makes the jump to the silver screen with Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu in what feels like a giant-size, two-part episode. Fans of the series should be happy seeing the titular knight and wizard back in action, but if not already a fan of the show or the fantasy genre, there’s not much here to lure one in.
Buy Star Wars: The Mandalorian Visual GuideLike a Bond film, Mandalorian and Grogu opens with the pair already involved in a mission for the New Republic trying to apprehend an Imperial warlord. It’s a thrilling sequence as the Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal, Brendan Wayne, or stuntman Lateef Crowder depending on the scene) fights inside and among AT-AT walkers along snowy cliffs, alluding to the Battle of Hoth in The Empire Strikes Back.
Mando is then assigned to meet with the twin siblings of the late Jabba Hutt, who have information they are willing to provide about an unknown warlord in exchange for the return of the Jabba’s son, Rotta (voiced by Jeremy Allen White). Mando goes to the planet where Rotta is being held only to discover he is not a prisoner but instead, a gladiator fighter for Janu with one left on his contract. Mando offers to buy Rotta out of his contract but learns Janu plans for Rotta’s last fight to end with his death. Mando ends up in the gladiator pit with Rotta where they must fight together to survive. The scene brings to mind the holographic game Chewie and the droids played in A New Hope.
After the fight, Rotta tells Mando the Hutts want him dead so they can inherit the crime syndicate and that Janu is the warlord he seeks. Mando turns Janu over to the authorities and gives Rotta his freedom. However, the Hutts don’t like broken deals, so Mando is kidnapped and brought before them. The Hutts attempt to shame him by removing his helmet in defiance of his religion and drop him into a creature-filled watery pit.
Grogu is frequently on hand for cuteness and comic relief in the series, but here he earns the co-billing by rescuing Mando multiple times with the help of the Force and a quartet of Anzellans, tiny, tech-savvy creatures. The chemistry created between Grogu and the Anzellans is strong and their scenes are highlights of the film.
The Mandalorian and Grogu screenplay by director Jon Favreau, Dave Filoni, and Noah Kloor is a series of action set pieces rather than being a vehicle to tell a story of great depth. It follows the Star Wars template of hand-to-hand fighting, aerial combat, and, when needed, being saved by the Force (i.e. magic). The latter is disappointing as it is a bit of a cheat, but it’s what frequently happens in the stories of this universe so set one’s expectations accordingly. There are Easter eggs for the hardcore fans, but it’s not dense with universe lore so those new to Star Wars or the TV series will be able to follow along. It’s entertaining but not recommended for anyone that has no interest in it.
