The family and I went to go check out the first new Star Wars movie on the big screen in quite some time. And after watching it I hope there won’t be another stretch of time where we don’t have one. Yes, I know the community has not been as hot for a Star Wars movie but let me assure you the magic is back because The Mandalorian and Grogu is a great Star Wars movie.
The story was well written and executed as we catch up with Din Djarin played by Pedro Pascal, and Grogu taking out some remnants of the Empire on behalf of the New Republic taking their orders from Ward leader of the Adelphi Rangers played by Sigourney Weaver. When a lead may promise to bring down a high-ranking ex Empire officer the New Republic and Din have to strike a tenuous alliance with the Hutt Crime Syndicate.
One thing I want to start off with is the music in this movie is very good and just fits each scene perfectly. I may have to get deeper into the score because I loved it. Kudos to Ludwig Goransson for his work on it. Now the story has I mentioned executes very well with no downtime for me. We’ve been building these characters up for a few seasons on Disney Plus but mind you the characters motivations for the casuals is established early. He’s a bounty hunter and he’s working for the New Republic.
For me it’s got all the action I need with fighting, space battles, or the Mandalorian just being the best casual bad ass out there. But this is a story that must rely on a character that doesn’t speak and has to rely on movements and slight facial changes to communicate. Grogu can’t speak but we never have doubts of what he’s about. Also, this relationship fully establishes itself as not a bounty hunter and bounty, or a man trying to return a lost child, or a trainee but a true fatherly relationship for Din and Grogu. There’s a real sadness at the realization that Grogu’s race is long lived and eventually he’ll be alone and Din will be long gone. Believe it when Din is training him, teaching him to ensure that he’ll be able to take care of himself. Just like what a father would do for his kid.
One of the best things this film does is expand the Star Wars universe as we get to see Nal Hutta the home of the Hutts, we revisit Rotta the Hutt played by Jeremy Allen White who we last saw in the Clone Wars. And some old faces return with Garazeb “Zeb” Orrelios voiced by legendary voice actor Steve Blum. And some big-time voice work by Martin Scorsese who plays Hugo Durant and Adennian food stand vendor. Oh, and look for Dave Filoni and Paul Sung-Hyung Lee reprising their roles as X-Wing pilots Trapper Wolf and Carson Teva.
Total gross after this weekend has brough in a total of 165 million so the hype is real. I enjoyed the movie and I’m giving it an 8.5 out of 10. It’s a fun ride and I’m already down for another trip.
Jason The X
This is most assuredly the way! Find me on the socials @JasonTheX