It’s been seven years since audiences have gone to a galaxy far, far, away, and a lot is riding on Star Wars’ highly anticipated film feature, The Mandalorian and Grogu. With so much expectation on this title, the latest film in the sci-fi fantasy franchise faces some challenges as it jumps from the small screen to a feature film.
There are lots of stories to tell in the world of Star Wars, so its future is only dependent on its fanbase. Disney is taking a big risk as it handles The Mandalorian and Grogu with caution, as the TV series has been quite popular with fans, so it’s only a question of whether they would be willing to watch their favorite duo on the big screen.
Luckily, there is enough in this film for the crowd to enjoy, for the most part.
The Mandalorian and Grogu pick up with Din Djarin, AKA Mando (Pedro Pascal), and his little protege, taking down remnants of the Galactic Empire for the New Republic. Working with the New Republic’s Colonel Ward (Sigourney Weaver), the bounty hunting duo is out taking down names in order to make a living and help the Rebel Alliance prevent another war.
In their latest assignment, they are tasked with rescuing Jabba the Hutt’s own son, Rotta (Jeremy Allen White), to gain information on a potential threat to the New Republic.
With this being a continuation of The Mandalorian, the follow-up movie has the distinct advantage of working on a bigger budget, and it shows all over the screen with the impressive visuals.
Din and Grogu go on various planets across the galaxy, each with its own environment, as it feels a part of Star Wars. The action sequences are top-notch, giving us that John Wick style of fighting where the force and light saber battles aren’t needed to deliver a great space fight.
Both Mando and Grogu are both in their element when it comes to what they are both good at. Mando has already shown how great a warrior he is in the series, and he continues to show that impressive set of skills in his arsenal of weapons on the big screen, taking down assassins and Stormtroopers.
Grogu proves not to underestimate his size due to his strong will with the Force, even against bigger enemies, as he has grown his powers so much since we last saw him.
What fans love from the series is the tender father-son bond that both Mando and Grogu share, which we get a lot of in The Mandalorian and Grogu. We see Din being the cautious parent when he straps in Grogu during their flights on the Razor Crest and making sure he doesn’t ruin his appetite.
We also see Grogu’s instant attachment to his father figure, which goes to show just how strong they are together. These sweet moments are what stand out in the film, and it doesn’t distract us from the main plot of the film.
Another thing that the film excels at is the practical effects used for our little creatures, as well as the incredible musical score. Grogu has set the standard in delivering a great performance using puppetry. It is an art form that Star Wars excelled at in the first trilogy of films.
The Anzellans follow up on that tradition with their cute interactions with Grogu, showing some fun adventures with them through the galaxy. They offer some of the best scenes in the movie as we see their hilarious interactions in some of the most dire situations.
What the movie does suffer is the characters that surround our main protagonists. Rotta the Hutt comes off as more of a buffed-up version of Jabba, who is trying to prove himself outside the reputation of his infamous father.
His storyline is something we’ve seen before, but he suddenly grows on you once you get to know him. He has a big heart, and it shows when he gets friendly with Grogu, becoming invested in their journey to help them in their quest.
Another issue is the film’s place in the broader Star Wars universe, as it is more of a side story that doesn’t really change the trajectory of the franchise. This feels more like a self-contained story, which isn’t what fans may expect, but there is joy in that if anyone is a fan of these characters.
There are two concurrent storylines happening, making this film feel more like another season of The Mandalorian than a feature movie.
Seeing that this takes place after the fall of the Galactic Empire is a great era to explore, but if anyone is looking for a story on the New Republic trying to navigate in this new time in the galaxy may be disappointed.
There are some fun cameos from parts of the Star Wars lore, like Zeb from Star Wars: Rebels and bounty hunter Emo from The Clone Wars series. It’s great to have some fan service, but there’s not much advancement in the story in the bigger galaxy or any connections to the franchise at all.
With that being said, The Mandalorian and Grogu is still a fun and exciting film to watch for those who love this corner of the Star Wars universe. There are tender moments to appreciate between Din and Grogu that audiences will enjoy.
It is more of a lighthearted adventure without much of a bridge to the bigger part of this epic franchise, but it is a nice addition to this galaxy far, far away.
The Mandalorian and Grogu will release in theaters on May 22, 2026.
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Mufsin Mahbub
Mufsin Mahbub is a TV and film fanatic who loves all things superhero, sci-fi, horror, and mystery. Outside of writing, he enjoys traveling, gaming, and watching some anime.