[Rating: Solid Rock Fist Up]
Star Wars has been in the cultural lexicon since pretty much day one, almost five decades ago. Featuring films, TV shows and specials and even a theme park with rides and all, Star Wars has just…always been a part of our collective lives. The twelfth film in the franchise, The Mandalorian and Grogu (directed by Jon Favreau) is based on the Disney+ TV series, exploring the adventures of a formed family in a galaxy far, far away.
Following the events of the third season of The Mandalorian, Bounty hunter and Mandalorian Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and Grogu, work for the New Republic, hunting down warlords bent on turning the galaxy back to the dark days of the Empire. Mando and Grogu are assigned by Ward (Signourney Weaver) to meet with the Hutts (Jabba’s family) and help them save their nephew Rotta (Jeremy Allen White) from slavery. In turn, they will give him information to a mystery figure that threatens the New Republic. Mando and Grogu track down Rotta with the help of an informant Hugo (Martin Scorsese), and learn he is a galactic gladiator, fighting for his life. Mando wants to buy Rotta his freedom before Rotta is betrayed and murdered in the arena, despite Rotta wanting to stay one of the galaxy’s toughest gladiators.
Through a really cool battle, Mando, Grogu and Rotta escape a battle royale of monsters. Despite hesitations, Mando convinces Rotta to fight back his oppressive family, who actually want him dead and not returned home with arms wide open. Mando fights the family and is injured, leading Grogu to fend for himself, having to ensure an injured Mando can stay alive long enough for both of them to fight back the Hutts, save Rotta and bring peace to the galaxy.
Being a feature film adapted for a theatrical release is oftentimes hard to do. I feel like this movie does a successful job in making sure it knows it’s theatrical in size and scale. I still felt there were times it felt like a TV show and felt like a made for Disney+ movie. One of the biggest positives of this film was the subtle moments of Grogu. The score by Ludwig Goransson adds so much humanity to the little green guy. There’s long moments of silence in this where Grogu just has to wait things out, but the accompanying score is just beautiful.
Yes, even if this is a bit of an enjoyable mixed back, it’s Star Wars. I wasn’t going to ever not like it. It’s one of the more enjoyable spin off films (even if there’s like a grand total of 3) and Grogu really is that Hollywood star.
Christian Ramos is a classic film fan, having had the dream to host Turner Classic Movies for years now. He also has a large amount of Oscar trivia in his head, remembers dressing as Groucho Marx one Halloween, and cherishes the moment Julianne Moore liked his tweet.
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