‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’ is entertaining but could’ve been Season 4

By Carly Shaner

Mando and his little green partner are back for an action-packed adventure. The Mandalorian (played by Pedro Pascal), currently contracted under the New Republic, is sent on a job to find the ex-Imperial Commander Coin (played by Jonny Coyne). Information is promised to him at the right price from the current rulers of Nal Hutta, called “the Twins.” In order to get the information, Mando must rescue their nephew and Jabba the Hutt’s son, Rotta (voiced by Jeremy Allen White). The movie follows Mando’s journey through the galaxy with Zeb Orellios (played by Steve Blum) and young Grogu and adds another layer of quality story to the Republic after the events of “Return of the Jedi.”

The production quality of Star Wars projects never ceases to amaze. The audience is thrown right back into the world of Star Wars and all its visuals, settings, suits and aliens. Amid the old familiar content, new elements are seamlessly added. The colors define the worlds clearly; the New Republic station’s planet is warm, while the criminal moon is filled with dark buildings and streets lined with neon signs.

The trope of a bounty hunter needing to do something unrelated to get information about their current job isn’t new, but the director Jon Favreau here has made it entertaining. The content, old and new, fits the storyline. Throughout the movie, there are references from both “The Mandalorian” show and various other Star Wars movies and shows.

Another thing that Star Wars is known for is the soundtrack, and this movie is a prime example of that. Ludwig Göransson returns and delivers with familiar motifs from the show along with newer, more techno-style music for the new criminal moon.

Pedro Pascal brings back the cool-toned Mandalorian dedicated to his creed and his clan. Sigourney Weaver plays Colonel Ward, who acts essentially as a kind of filler. Her character only exists to give the audience information, not offer a story-changing role. Jeremy Allen White voices Rotta the Hutt, Jabba’s last surviving son, and does an excellent job of portraying a son who wants nothing to do with his father’s legacy.

This movie continues to expand on the relationship between the Mandalorian and Grogu (also known as Baby Yoda). There are several scenes that demonstrate their growth with each other and with their respective skills.

It also touches on a choice every main Star Wars character has to make: who you are and what you fight for. Mando chose to work for the New Republic, and there are several characters that have moments of choice and moments when their choice becomes clear to the audience.

There are several aspects of the movie that aren’t explained or expanded on well. We never know exactly why Zeb, a character familiar to the Star Wars universe, is working with the Mandalorian. It’s also not explained why the Twin Hutts have information on the specific ex-Imperial that Mando is searching for. If this movie was drawn out into a Season 4 of the show, some points could have had more room to be made more clear for the audience.

While the plot is very fun to follow, the characters don’t really grow or change as a result of it. Mando is the same kind of bounty hunter we know from “The Mandalorian” Season 3. Grogu is still a cute, resourceful Force-wielding Mandalorian foundling. During this movie, their relationship has moments where it seems more of a “man-and-his-dog” than a “father-and-adopted-son” kind of connection.

The plot itself is entertaining. The soundtrack matches the atmosphere of the scene. The Easter eggs from all over the Star Wars universe are a great nod to Star Wars fans. But it could have been drawn out and made into episodes to clarify more and possibly offer more opportunity for character growth.

I give this movie a 7.5/10.

‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’ is currently playing in theaters.

Carly Shaner is a senior Professional Writing and Information Design Major who loves Star Wars as much as she loves coffee.

Images courtesy of Lucafilm.