Since their introduction in 2019, Din Djarin and Grogu (or Baby Yoda, as he was known back then) have become one of Star Wars’ most beloved modern duos. Now, they’ve hit the big screen in an epic new adventure.
The Mandalorian and Grogu does not try to reinvent the galaxy far, far away or deliver some massive universe-shifting moment — instead, it feels like another adventure with two characters audiences have grown attached to over the past seven years.
If you are walking in expecting another heart pounding moment on the same level of The Mandalorian Season 2 finale, lower those expectations immediately. This is a far more standalone story. There are familiar faces (shoutout to my boy Zeb), plenty of new characters, and the Hutts play a surprisingly major role, but the film never really builds towards a huge reveal or tease for what comes next. In fact, it kind of just… ends.
My entire theatre stayed seated through the credits, seemingly hoping for one last hint about the future of Star Wars, but nothing ever came (nor did I expect it to).
As a fun blockbuster ride, The Mandalorian and Grogu absolutely delivers.
Jumping to a new planet with Mando, Zeb and Grogu, an ‘80s-style synth beat kicks in, instantly setting the scene for the neon-lit city ahead. It’s a different tone to regular Star Wars, but it works.
The action sequences are heavy, chaotic, and genuinely entertaining. Din Djarin once again proves he is an absolute beast of a bounty hunter.
Pedro Pascal’s actual face time is hilariously limited — maybe five minutes total — which makes the hairstylist credit extra laughable.
The helmet clearly is not coming off unless absolutely necessary at this point, and I would be shocked if Pascal is doing many (if any) of the physical stunt scenes himself.
Grogu ends up being the real heart of the film yet again, alongside his adorably quirky friends. He is more confident now, more capable, and responsible for many of the movie’s funniest and sweetest moments. Watching the dynamic between him and Mando continue to evolve remains the biggest reason this story works.
“The young care for the old… This is the way.”
It may not push the wider Star Wars universe forward in any major way, but if you are happy spending more time with these characters, there is still a really fun adventure here. Oh, and Sigourney Weaver is in it — how about that!?
The writer attended a preview screening of the film thanks to Disney.
