REVIEW: THE MANDALORIAN & GROGU
THE GIST
Kids will probably love it. Probably.
THE REVIEW
SPOILERY
EXPECTATIONS
When I first heard about this film I was excited to see it but that waned every day leading up to it after seeing the first trailer.
I’m kinda over Star Wars, never thought I’d say that. And I am not over it because of any of what normal fans are annoyed about, I am just plain disinterested. It will never move and influence me the way the original trilogy did. Bits have come close. The Last Jedi came close. The Mandalorian had bits come close, one in particular, you know what I am talking about.
It’s just not for me anymore.
The one thing I am looking forward to is the composition by Ludwig Goransson. Although I wasn’t a fan of Sinners I did love parts of the score in that film, by Goransson. I knew he won awards for his efforts but I only just now looked up what he has done besides Sinners and I am floored. Tenet, Oppenheimer and the Odyssey are all credits of his which now have my ears pricked up.
CONTEXT
Favreau and Filoni wrote a fourth season of The Mandalorian by February 2023, but production was delayed by the 2023 Hollywood labor disputes. During this time, Lucasfilm re-evaluated their plans for the franchise and decided to prioritize a Mandalorian film over the fourth season. The Mandalorian and Grogu was announced in January 2024 with Favreau directing and co-writing with Filoni and Kloor, and Pascal reprising his role from the series. Filming began in California by August 2024 and was completed by that December. Further casting was revealed around and after filming, including the return of various characters from The Mandalorian and other Star Wars media. The series's composer Ludwig Göransson returned to score the film.
THE PLOT
The evil Empire has fallen but Imperial warlords remain scattered throughout the galaxy. As the fledgling New Republic works to protect everything the Rebellion fought for, they enlist the help of legendary Mandalorian bounty hunter Din Djarin and his young apprentice Grogu.
THE EXPERIENCE
It starts off entertaining with the opening scenes then lost me after that.
My eyes closed a few times during this, I had to try keep myself awake.
While it was great seeing some Mandalorian action scenes on the big screen, this movie was completely unnecessary.
THE MEAT
The First 5 Minutes: The opening got my hopes up. Was this going to be better than I thought it would be? Alas, no. It was just the first 5 minutes.
The composition by Ludwig Goransson: Although I wasn’t a fan of Sinners I did love parts of the score in that film, also by Goransson. I knew he won awards for that but I only just now looked up what he has done besides that and I am floored. Tenet, Oppenheimer and the Odyssey are all credits of his which now has my ears pricked up. Parts felt like it was about to break into Lady GaGa’s Poker Face. Nothing too much stood out, usual Mando score most of it. There were grandiose moments where it should have been louder.
The Director: If Jon Favreau backed by Dave Filoni can’t make a decent Star Wars film then the future of the franchise looks increasingly bleak. I couldn’t help thinking about his other films like Elf, Iron Man and Chef. What happened to the magic he bought to those?
Story. It was a this happened, then that happened, then this happened kind of story. It probably should have been a series but there weren’t enough compelling moments to end each episode on.
Grogu. Sometimes it was genuinely funny but like watching a minions movie funny. And I liked that. To be honest I think they should make a Grogu stand alone movie in that fashion. It could be hilarious. He gets separated from Mando and goes on a huge “home alone” type adventure. And I think Rowan Atkinson should direct it, he has an amazing sensibility of humour for characters that don’t speak. On a different note, I find it disturbing how this 50 something year old alien (3-5 human years developmentally) sounds exactly like a human baby.
The Hutts. Why revisit The Hutt’s? This is what is wrong with Star Wars. I want different. That’s why I loved The Last Jedi, it looked and went different places. Does anyone actually go to the outer reaches and see different aliens?
CGI looked CGI. Mando’s co-pilot looked fake, he should have been a makeup character. Scorcese’s character was a bit better. The Hutt’s were ok.
Had some good shots: While I love seeing the Star Wars world in new films, that’s not why I watch movies. I watch movies for great stories, intriguing character depth, soul heart, warmth etc. But it’s like new Star Wars films lead with the fact that it is set in the Star Wars universe rather than coming up with great stories etc. first.
Not Star Wars: This is a Mando movie not a Star Wars movie and it doesn’t need to exist.
Scorcese: When I saw his name pop up on opening credits I literally threw my hands up in the air in disbelief, the people behind me would have easily seen this but there were none lol. I loved his character though. I don’t know if he has done voice acting before but he is so good at it.
3D or not to 3D?: I saw it in 3D and it was not worth it. They did not oversell any 3D scenes which was good but I can’t think of anything in this film that was made better by watching it in 3D.
SUMMARY
This is a Mando movie not a Star Wars movie. It should have stayed being a series that ended after Season 2.
My review has been thin because I just can’t be bothered with this one.
I will not be rewatching this.
