'The Mandalorian and Grogu' review: Lukewarm cinematic return for 'Star Wars'
MANILA, Philippines — Seven years feels like a galaxy far, far away now, but "Star Wars" is back on the big screen with "The Mandalorian and Grogu," making the hyperspace jump from streaming to theaters.
Picking up from the events of the third season — which isn't much of a requirement to see this film — viewers are re-introduced to the titular characters Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and his ward that people mostly just call "Baby Yoda."
Din and Grogu are now doing jobs for the New Republic and the latest task from Colonel Ward (Sigourney Weaver in another space franchise) is to meet with the twin cousins of the late Jabba the Hutt.
Against his will, the twins ask Din to search for their nephew and Jabba's son Rotta (voiced by Jeremy Allan White) in exchange for information about a key Empire official — until the Mandalorian takes matters into his own hands.
For anyone keeping count, the last "Star Wars" film was 2019's "The Rise of Skywalker," which made money but was not critically acclaimed that it practically shelved the franchise.
It found new life, however, on Disney+, particularly with the first two seasons of "The Mandalorian." Other shows tried to match this move, but arguably only "Andor" was up to par.
After a middling third season, showrunner Jon Favreau and franchise executive Dave Filoni proceeded to work on a fourth season, but industry strikes got in the way. Favreau and Filoni instead decided to pivot to a full-length feature.
"The Mandalorian and Grogu" very much feels like a compressed season, where scenes can be actualized as episodes, and segments play out into a wider story.
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It would be a disservice, however, to describe it as a television film because clearly the production team put a lot of effort into proving why it is a "Star Wars" movie worthy of the big screen.
The visuals are a step up from the Volume, which "The Mandalorian" show popularized, with the sound effects distinct to this universe, and where the IMAX aspect ratio is fully utilized.
Another key feature from the original series is the music of Ludwig Göransson, who is again behind the score. He added more tunes to further cement the distinction of Din and Grogu's adventures.
The first half of the film is paced quite well then slows down in the second half, mostly because time is alloted for Grogu, which not many will complain about.
In terms of story, however, it is quite simple for a "Star Wars" entry, which always leaned on adventure or fantasy themes no matter if it was a Skywalker or a Solo as a central figure or creating havoc in the story.
All things considered, "The Mandalorian and Grogu" does not stumble, but it lacks the aplomb commonly associated with "Star Wars" since the franchise started nearly half a century ago.
But if there is any place "Star Wars" deserves to be, it is on the biggest screen possible, and director Favreau made it count where it mattered.
The return of the franchise to cinemas will hopefully be celebrated, with better prospects to look forward to. This Is The Way.
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