The Mandalorian and Grogu review: "A lot of fun, but this Star Wars movie ends up feeling inconsequential"

It's been seven years since Star Wars was last on the big screen, with Lucasfilm dedicating much of the 2020s to broadening the universe in its Disney Plus shows. Now the studio is looking to those heroes to usher in a new era of the galaxy far, far away as The Mandalorian and Grogu step into the limelight. Coming off the back of a long absence and in the wake of The Rise of Skywalker's contentious legacy, it's a lot of pressure on those little green shoulders – and Jon Favreau's standalone film can't quite stay upright under the weight of it all.

Set three years after the events of season 3, the new movie picks up with Din Djarin and his apprentice Grogu working as guns for hire for the New Republic. We're introduced back into their story with a pacy, exciting cold open that neatly recontextualizes Mando and his cheeky sidekick as the pair descend on an Imperial target. It's a great opener that brings back the Western vibe of the original show's early seasons while also dispelling doubts that this story would feel cinematic enough. Indeed, AT-ATs trawling through snowy outposts feels enough to squash any qualms that Star Wars is back.

This blistering pace slows down as Mando and Grogu return to the New Republic base, and the main story begins. Welcomed by Sigourney Weaver's no-nonsense former Rebel Alliance pilot Ward, they're given their next job: help the Hutts find their nephew Rotta in order to gain information on a mysterious Imperial Commander. We won't get too deep into the weeds of the storytelling here to avoid spoilers, but it's a journey that sends the pair around the galaxy, encountering various creatures and hitting several snags along the way.

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This is the way

Taken as a standalone adventure story, there's a lot to like here, mostly thanks to the charisma of Pedro Pascal's Din Djarin and the sheer adorableness of Grogu. There's no denying that these two are an on-screen pairing for the ages and one of the best creations to emerge from the widening of the Star Wars universe. And unlike the much-maligned third season of The Mandalorian, they are decidedly the focus of this tale. It's a lot of fun simply watching them traverse the galaxy together.

The Mandalorian and Grogu benefits enormously from Grogu's ridiculous cuteness. He's in great form here, pressing buttons he shouldn't, stealing snacks at any opportunity, and making friends in unusual places. Favreau's choice to double the adorableness by pairing him up with the Anzellans is a genius one too. Prompting the biggest laughs of the whole movie, their sequences together are a real highlight that's worth your ticket price alone.

Pascal remains true to expected form as Din Djarin, although he has markedly less to grapple with this time around. Unlike in the series, he's no longer tortured by his relationship with the Creed and his place among his people, meaning there's not a great deal for him to struggle with. But if you're happy with Grogu banter and impressive action, then there's plenty here to enjoy – and it's pleasing to see Brendan Wayne and Lateef Crowder get such high billing for their work in the suit too.

Fresh faces

Unfortunately, the new arrivals don't gel quite so well. Weaver's Ward doesn't get much to do beyond sitting behind a New Republic desk. Her character development is also pretty much nil, with Martin Scorsese's Ardennian street food cook getting almost as much screentime and arguably more interesting dialogue.

Rotta the Hutt is the film's most significant supporting player – and his gladiator-style sequences on the Moon of Shakari are a standout, helped profusely by Ludwig Göransson's pulsating score. However, Rotta's dialogue jars with CGI that can't quite keep up with the emotion White is doing his utmost to imbue the character with, as Rotta wrestles with his father, Jabba's, legacy. The decision to steer away from predominantly practical puppetry with the Hutts feels a real shame and is particularly glaring in action sequences and moments opposite Grogu.

Mando and Grogu's lack of character development is down to overlong action sequences, especially in the third act. This all leaves less time for deeper interrogation of these characters, which is sorely needed to make The Mandalorian and Grogu feel essential. Indeed, it's disappointing that some dynamics are left lacking in a runtime that exceeds two hours.

Whether or not this all feels like appointment viewing remains The Mandalorian and Grogu's big problem. While the movie has a lot of fun as a simple adventure story, the problem is: this is Star Wars, and it can't exist in a vacuum. In fact, it's quite surprising how standalone this story is for a property that casually brought back Luke Skywalker. It's extremely uninterested in the wider galaxy going on around it, and the stakes feel pretty low as a result.

There are some cameos as Clone Wars and Rebels characters get woven into the narrative. But there's nothing radical for the franchise here. And while that's not a problem in itself, it means that The Mandalorian and Grogu isn't the Star Wars cinematic rebirth that Lucasfilm may have been hoping for. If you're happy to while away a few hours with Din Djarin and Grogu, you'll love it – just don't go in expecting much more.

The Mandalorian and Grogu releases in theaters on May 22. For more, check out our list of upcoming Star Wars movies and shows and our breakdown of the Star Wars timeline.