As the first Star Wars movie in seven years, The Mandalorian and Grogu was always going to have high expectations. Any Star Wars film will be held to a high standard just because of the franchise’s longstanding cultural impact, but the long wait heightened the anticipation. That’s why it’s no surprise that the movie is being criticized heavily by some viewers.
It’s not a perfect film, and it does feel more akin to a TV movie created for a cinematic experience. It doesn’t add anything significant to the grander narrative in the Star Wars universe either. But make no mistake: That doesn’t make The Mandalorian and Grogu any less worthwhile. In fact, it’s more than okay and necessary for the Star Wars movie to be a heartwarming action adventure and not a groundbreaking narrative with nuanced storytelling.
A reminder that Star Wars is supposed to be fun
If The Mandalorian and Grogu had to be described using one word, that word would be “fun” — like Star Wars is meant to be. After all, the franchise takes place in a universe of space adventures, lightsabers, cool spaceships, droids, intriguing creatures, and the Force. More complex narratives and the themes are absolutely welcome and incredibly important. The overarching idea of good versus evil via the Jedi versus the Sith is crucial. But, at the end of the day, the excitement and creativity of the Star Wars world is what sets it apart.
The Mandalorian and Grogu is a showcase of everything that makes Star Wars fun. From the urban, Prohibition-era-like Sakari to the swampy Nal Hutta, the movie does a great job at featuring the various kinds of settings across the galaxy. The action sequences with Din Djarin are riveting and engaging. Meanwhile, the Anzellans aren’t just one of the types of creatures featured in the movie but are also one of the best parts. The way all of these elements come together creates an enjoyable experience.
Sometimes, all you want and need from a movie is to just unwind and have a good time. Sometimes, you need to escape reality and immerse yourself in a different world as a form of self-care. As well-done as Andor is, that series has heavier subject matter that isn’t easy for everyone to revisit whenever. In those times, The Mandalorian and Grogu can be the perfect movie for that because it brings out the sense of wonder and whimsy in all of us.
The Mandalorian and Grogu can be a lighthearted and exciting introduction to Star Wars
For some people, The Mandalorian and Grogu is some people’s first Star Wars movie. Some of those people will become Star Wars fans because of it, and that’s a special thing.
As much as some people would love to believe that they were born a Star Wars fan, that’s not actually how genetics work. Fandom always starts somewhere, though, whether you start when you’re a young child or a working adult. But getting into a world as vast and established as Star Wars can be daunting and even discouraging. For those individuals who have yet to dive into the Star Wars universe, The Mandalorian and Grogu is a fantastic starting point. Background knowledge about existing Star Wars movies and shows is certainly helpful, but the movie is constructed in a way that anyone can jump in, understand, and enjoy the narrative. You could even go without having seen The Mandalorian show on Disney+.
It’s well-established and obvious that the titular duo have a parent-child/mentor-mentee relationship. If you can grasp that concept, you can follow the story well enough to be invested. Even better, that idea is one a lot of people can understand. So you can easily be drawn in by Mando and Grogu’s relationship.
Other details, like how Mandalorians can’t take off their helmets in front of others and the Hutt family history, are also covered enough so that you don’t need to have that knowledge going in. So the barriers for new viewers or even more casual fans aren’t tough to tackle. This wouldn’t be possible if not for the more lighthearted, exciting focus that the movie takes on, compared to a narrative that’s more complex and deeply embedded into Star Wars lore.
Heartwarming moments and growth with Grogu
Generally speaking, the plot of The Mandalorian and Grogu isn’t the strongest. At times, the story feels clunky, and the pacing seems weird. But the best part is the emphasis on Grogu's training journey and relationship with Mando. That alone is more than reason enough to love the movie, because Grogu is a lovable character that many of us will never get enough of. It’s such a joy to see Grogu that it’s still great to watch him in a project with a simpler narrative.
Once Din Djarin gets taken, Grogu is given the chance to show what he’s capable of and the opportunity to prove himself. He has grown into a being who can cooperate with the Anzellans and even be a leader. He knows to use his armor and to equip himself with weaponry before leaving on the rescue mission. He has the confidence and courage to stay behind on Nal Hutta instead of leaving with the Anzellans. He even knows how to protect and take care of Mando, camouflaging him from enemies and feeding him water while recovering.
It’s nearly impossible to not feel an overwhelming sense of heartwarming pride during that whole caretaking sequence. The film is driven by so much emotion at that point, and the pathos is so effective because Grogu’s relationship with Din is so strong. It’s so easy for the audience to root for, enjoy, and be drawn in by the heart of it all.
Grogu still has a lot of learning to do. The fact he didn’t realize the small Anzellan ship wouldn’t work for the rescue mission is just one instance of this. But that’s the point. He has unmatched potential but is only a small child. Every adventure and each mission are hands-on lessons for the young Mandalorian apprentice, and The Mandalorian and Grogu is a delightful way to show off his progress.
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