By Glenn Kay, For the Sun
Rating: 2.5 out of 4
Running Time: 132 minutes
This motion picture from Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures opens exclusively at cinemas and on IMAX screens Friday, May 22.
The Star Wars franchise is among the very biggest in cinema. The original 1977 feature floored audiences, and the first two sequels were just as popular, making a lasting impression on anyone who remembers going to the theater and seeing them. That trilogy was a hard act to follow, but as with any successful studio property, it hasn’t stopped the creator and next generation from trying. The last 50 years have been filled with sequels, prequels and spin-offs of varying quality. The Mandalorian and Grogu is the latest attempt, a spin-off based on the popular Disney+ series that takes place after the events of the 1983 film Return of the Jedi.
The Empire has fallen, but the surviving warlords and generals are still attempting to regain power over their individual territories. Din Djarin aka The Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal) is a bounty hunter working with the resistance and tasked with catching fugitives. The hero wears a virtually impenetrable mask and suit of armor at all times. Over the course of the series, he has become a caregiver to Grogu, an infant of the same species as the Yoda character.
In this story, rebel alliance colonel Ward (Sigourney Weaver) tasks the protagonist with finding Rotta the Hutt (Jeremy Allen White), son of gangster Jabba the Hutt. Ward explains that the figure has been kidnapped and that his criminal aunt and uncle are now desperate for Rotta’s safe return. So much so, they are willing to share the identity of a major Empire figure who has been in hiding. The Mandalorian and Grogu search for Rotta, and quickly discover things aren’t as they seem and that one party has no intention of keeping their end of the bargain.
Personally, I have only seen the first season of the show. It was certainly enjoyable, but I can’t claim to remember all of the details and faces as those who have watched all three seasons and are big enthusiasts might. So, going in with only a general idea of those involved in the story is certain to result in some missed references. But otherwise, the plot is simple and, well, there isn’t a lot of character detail.
The Mandalorian is an honorable figure who mostly speaks to deliver plot exposition while trying to keep Grogu in line. The small alien generally makes cute little noises and gets into minor trouble attempting to steal food.
It’s amusing to a point, but after the action prologue and details about the mission are relayed, an issue starts to become very apparent. One thing that the series featured was a reasonable number of human faces and eyes to relate to onscreen. Here, most of the characters are either masked, covered in armor, or completely CGI-created. Much of the enemies that the protagonists do battle with in the main plot are slimy creatures, droids, and, well, bigger droids.
The action is well-shot, crisply edited and well-scored. Yet, it isn’t particularly exciting to watch. Essentially, it’s a series of sequences with the leads racing around and fighting. Metal clangs against metal, and the heroes then move on in their quest. Despite the attacks, during the first half of the feature, the well-equipped Mandalorian and Grogu don’t ever seem to be in any real peril. It also becomes clear that the stakes aren’t as high as they should be. The villains are certainly nasty, but they aren’t plotting anything dastardly that could destroy nearby planets or impact other parts of the universe. Again, this fact doesn’t do much to add suspense.
Thankfully, towards the end of the second act a real threat does arise and adds drama to the proceedings. It also forces one of the major characters to step up and take action in order to protect their friend. There’s a bit more interplay as one must care for the other, and the situation also leads to a couple of funny moments involving an attack featuring an unusual mode of transport. When more of the pieces come together, it does result in an entertaining climax.
However, the film picks up too late in the proceedings. This effort certainly earns a smile or two, has plenty of slick action, and will appeal to those who already adore the series. However, it’s rare for one to walk out of a big-budget, epic Star Wars film and have little more than a shrugging reaction to it all. And that is the case here. There isn’t anything distinctly memorable and the leads aren’t developed any more than they were in the show. So, rather than wowing, The Mandalorian and Grogu instead finds itself a middling chapter in a legendary film saga.
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