The Mandalorian and Grogu: A Fun, If Forgettable, Star Wars Story

Remember when The Mandalorian came out on Disney+ almost seven years ago, and everyone was saying it was the best thing Star Wars did since Empire? Then The Book of Boba Fett turned into Mando season 2.5, and then the third season started to feel like it was wearing out its welcome. So the execs at Disney decided “screw it. Let’s just make the fourth season into a movie with a bunch of cool explosions. At least the pacing might improve.” I don’t think that this was a bad idea, per se, as I went to see The Mandalorian and Grogu in theaters opening weekend, and I thought it was decent. It’s a fun movie if you’re looking for a fun adventure. But if you wanted it to advance the plot of the overarching story ahead, then you’re not gonna like it.

The Mandalorian and Grogu are back!

It’s been a while now since Mando helped liberate Mandalore and defeated Moff Gideon, and he and Grogu are doing well. They’ve been hunting down Imperial war criminals for the New Republic and are making some decent pay. That’s when they get their biggest contract yet, hunting for an Imp that no one has seen yet. To find them, they have to do a job for the Twins, Jabba’s younger brother and sister. What’s the job, you may ask? It’s retrieving their nephew and Jabba’s son, Rotta, from a gladiator pit.

Ever seen a Hutt body slam someone? I have now!

I’ll level with you guys: I was immediately biased in favor of this film when I heard we’d see Rotta in it. I met him in The Clone Wars pilot movie back in the day, and while I dont like his dad, the little Huttlet grew on me. I always wondered what happened to him after his dad died (not sorry), and it’s great to hear that he’s still around. Even better, he’s so determined not to end up like his old man that he’s become a gladiator to get people’s love and adoration. And if you ever wondered what it would be like if a Hutt had muscles and could fight, it’s really impressive. The guy is like a worm-slug with biceps and he can crush you in a body slam.

Even better, though, is the fact that when Rotta says he doesn’t want to be like his dad, he means it. He forms a pretty close bond with Grogu, and I think the child is a good judge of character. Even better, since both their species live for centuries, this means Grogu has a friend who can live as long as he does, meaning he won’t be as lonely. If that doesn’t convince you, then the fact that Rotta’s able to tell Mando where this mystery Imp is should. The three of them, plus Zeb from Rebels, bring them back alive, and the movie is only halfway over.

Much Tighter Pacing Compared to the Show

So, when I said that they remade the fourth season of The Mandalorian in this movie, I wasn’t joking. I dont know what the plot for that season would have been, but I’m guessing it would’ve been similar to how the film plays out, if not beat for beat. That’s fine and everything, but the problem with that is the pacing issues, especially in the third season. I love the show, but even I have to admit that it dragged on at times. However, when it comes to The Mandalorian and Grogu, the story feels a lot tighter, and therefore, much more palatable to enjoy.

The opening act has Mando and Grogu off some Imperial war criminal. The second act has them rescue Rotta and catch that other mystery Imp. Then the third act has to do with them taking on the Hutt Twins, who weren’t happy about Rotta not coming back because they wanted him dead. And the best part is the third or so of the film shows how Grogu has grown since we first met him.

Over the course of the show, we saw how our resident Baby Yoda managed to grow stronger, even if he has yet to talk. He’s no longer just the tagalong child that needs to be protected. When things start to get dicey and his adoptive father is in trouble, it’s Grogu who ends up saving his life. He heals him, gets him the help he needs, and helps him when the time comes to fight the Twins. It’s very refreshing to see Grogu starting to come into his own. Give it a hundred years, and he’ll be near unstoppable.

Not Every Star Wars story has to Advance the franchise, you know!

In the end, The Mandalorian and Grogu does little to advance the overall plot of what Filoni and Favreau have planned for Star Wars. And I know for a fact that there are going to be some fans that are going to be upset about that and criticize the movie for it. However, I offer this rebuttal: it didn’t need to advance the plot.

Maybe it’s because I grew up reading various smaller-scale adventures in Star Wars before the reset, or because I’ve watched anime movies about one-off adventures, but I don’t see what the big deal is with having The Mandalorian and Grogu not advance the franchise. Not everything has to be about advancing the wider story of Star Wars; there are smaller stories to be told that don’t have to do with the Skywalkers! Can we just be happy about the fact that Star Wars is back in theaters and it doesn’t suck? The last time that happened was arguably 20 years ago with Revenge of the Sith, and I’m happy about that. Plus, I’m happy that Rotta is back and looks like a bodybuilder. This is the way!

I Give “The Mandalorian and Grogu” a 3/5