I’ve been a fan of the Star Wars universe since childhood (well over 30 years). Not one of those fans, but the type who genuinely just really enjoys immersing myself in the world and the lore. Heck, I even love the Ewok movies. When I heard about Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu, I admit I had concerns about how well it would translate to film from an episodic format. The trailer alleviated some of those concerns, but I went into the theater with an open mind, and I’m so glad that I did. This review will contain some spoilers, so consider yourself warned.
In Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu, “the evil Empire has fallen, and Imperial warlords remain scattered throughout the galaxy. As the fledgling New Republic works to protect everything the Rebellion fought for, they have enlisted the help of legendary Mandalorian bounty hunter Din Djarin and his young apprentice Grogu.”
Choosing Memorial Day weekend as the release date for this film was wise in my opinion, as it just oozes Summer Blockbuster. The film offers multiple layers of entertainment. On the surface, you have a popcorn movie replete with AT-ATs, speeder chases, X-Wing battles, and more. The scale is perfect for a theater screen. There is a feeling of getting the greatest hits of Star Wars while also sort of channeling the lesser-appreciated films like The Ewoks: Caravan of Courage.
That said, Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu doesn’t just rest on those laurels, it raises the bar on them. The arena battle and speeder chase on Shakari felt more akin to boxing matches, and car chases you’d see in a mafia movie by the likes of Martin Scorsese (more on him later), or, as I’ve seen others say, Blade Runner. The Shakari sequence of the film, down to Ludwig Göransson’s score, had elements you’d expect from Ridley Scott, not Jon Favreau.
For those who want more from the films they watch than action, there is a deeper story in this film. Throughout Star Wars, we’ve seen an exploration of parental relationships and where those relationships or the loss of them lead various characters. Anakin lost his mother, Luke didn’t want to turn to the Dark Side like his father, Cassian Andor losing his mother, etc. In Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu, we see two new paternal relationships: the one between Din Djarin and Grogu, as well as Rotta the Hutt and his goal of escaping his father, Jabba’s shadow.
We’ve watched 3 seasons of the relationship between Din Djarin and Grogu in The Mandalorian. In this film, however, we really get to see Din recognize that his role as Grogu’s adoptive father means more than just protecting him. There comes a time when you have to let your kids explore and grow. We see Din grappling with that. In turn, we start to see Grogu coming into his own. He finds ways to survive on Nal Hutta. Our cute little baby is growing up. I won’t spoil exactly how, but the ending of the film shows audiences that Din recognizes this as well and embraces it.
With Rotta, we see a different relationship. He’s been on his own and had to survive with only the legacy of his family name, or despite it. He wants nothing more than to escape what it means to be a Hutt. I wonder if his time with Anakin and Ahsoka impacted that mindset. In all honesty, Rotta was the character that surprised me most. Not in his portrayal by Jeremy Allen White, but rather how much I enjoyed his screen time. I would love to see follow up with him and his adventures after this film.
Now that Jeremy Allen White as Rotta has been brought up, this is a good time to talk about the supporting cast. I’d have loved to have seen more of Sigourney Weaver’s Colonel Ward, but the time we do get is really fantastic, especially during the 3rd act. Jonny Coyne does what he does best as the villain, Lord Janu. If you’re a horror lover like me, I recommend checking out his work in the remake of The Toxic Avenger. The Anzellans, voiced by Shirley Henderson, are always a good time, even if they think Grogu is a “bad baby”. They really shone and held their own, even when paired up with Grogu.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t talk about a topic very important to me, the food featured in Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu. Jon Favreau’s influence is all over this! He brought on Roy Choi to consult on the food served in Hugo Durant’s (voiced by THE Martin Scorsese and named for his film Hugo) food stall. This had Chef and The Chef Show all over it! The food stall scenes on Shakari were some of my favorite moments in the film. Additionally, Grogu continues to be a little foodie. We see him eating fish, his blue cookies, a variation of Galaxy’s Edge Outpost Mix (popcorn), and more! I love that they brought in elements from Batuu into the cinematic world. Speaking of Galaxy’s Edge, they will be offering food from the film on Batuu!
In addition to all of the aforementioned things discussed in this review, Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu has a ton of Easter Eggs for those eagle-eyed viewers, adding another level of enjoyment to the film. From womp rats, Dejarik creatures, décor you might find on Batuu, and more, there is plenty to keep the audience engaged. While discussing viewing, I saw the film in 3D. That experience was fine, but if you’re looking for ways to cut back, I don’t think it’s necessary to enjoy the film. In fact, it really didn’t add a ton for my husband or me. It certainly doesn’t hurt the viewing experience; it’s just not a dealbreaker.
Overall, Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu is the type of movie I want going into a Star Wars film. It’s a great time, hits you in the feels, and leaves you wanting to explore more of the side characters. I think if folks give it a chance and go in with an open mind, it’s a perfect summer film! Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu is in theaters now!
My Rating: 4.5/5
