RE:VIEW — “The Mandalorian and Grogu” (2026)
The official name of this picture is STAR WARS: The Mandalorian and Grogu, which seems overly clunky and unnecessarily wordy. Let’s just go with Mando & Grogu, if only for that Tango and Cash vibe.
It’s a stand-alone film and has little tie-in to the series. Director Jon Favreau has been quick to point out it is not a compressed version of what was to be the fourth series of episodes in the Disney+ show. Frankly, I wish there were more of those episodes coming, because I quite like their slow, careful building of conflict and threats to the plucky pair.
And I think therein lies my main problem with the film: it’s darned good fun, but I wish there had been a more focussed and simpler tale. The appeal for me with this part of the ‘Star Wars Universe’ is the space (pardon me) within the tale; the silences which say more than the dialogue. In the same way the ‘Man with No Name’ series of westerns appealed, this could have been a series of scenes with pauses and tension.
Anyway, better to focus on what we had, obviously.
It’s got a great bunch of ‘Warrior Redeemed’ action, with some very noble choices being made throughout. The cinematography, direction, and acting are all top notch, as are the special and digital effects.
Having a Hutt be a protagonist is pretty cool, and I didn’t expect that at all. It also made perfect sense for the character’s development.
If I had one un-ignorable quibble, it’s that there wasn’t more opportunity for Grogu to follow a clearer character development path; for example while working with the little chattering Anzellan characters. If they had all been shot as heroes, instead of comedic relief, with Grogu taking a firm leadership role, it would have been more fulfilling.
I also would have liked to have seen more development for Mando. What is his relationship to Grogu now? Are they still ‘adult and child’ or ‘protector and waif,’ or are they becoming equals? Mando cannot be the Teacher to Grogu because he hasn’t a clue what Grogu is capable of or how it’s done. Eventually that has to be clarified to satisfy me.
All of that said, if you’re looking for something of a Friday or Saturday evening that’s rollicking fun, you could do a lot worse than this.
Even with my caveats, it’s worthwhile.
★★★☆☆
Check out my last 5 posts