It’s been seven years since we last saw a Star Wars movie on the big screen. There is no fanfare in front of The Mandalorian and Grogu. There is no crawl telling the audience what happened before. Instead, this time we get a few lines on the screen filling a few gaps, and then we are off. 

The Mandalorian and Grogu goes back to the basics of the show: The Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal) is a bounty hunter who works for whoever pays him. In this case, he is working with the New Republic. Mando takes assignments from Colonel Ward (Sigourney Weaver), hunting down former members of the Empire. The movie starts with a fantastic action sequence showing Mando doing what he does best, with Grogu helping out. 

For fans of the Star Wars series, The Mandalorian and Grogu might feel like an extended episode. There are many callbacks to the show and its characters that might not be familiar to casual fans. Now, for fans who have not seen the show, there is enough exposition to catch them up to what is happening. 

The storyline is a little straightforward but lacks some substance. Mando must meet with the Twins, Jabba the Hutt’s cousins, to gather information about their missing nephew, Rotta the Hutt (Jeremy Allen White). In exchange for rescuing Rotta, they will provide the New Republic with some valuable information. For a simple mission, a few complications arise that help propel the story forward. 

As stated earlier, fans of Star Wars will catch lots of callbacks and Easter Eggs. From the Dejarik creatures fighting in the arena to familiar-looking X-Wing pilots, you will be pointing at the screen or clapping with excitement. There is one overhead shot of the fighting area that was probably planned, but will make you smile when you see it. 

By this point, we should all be aware of the love and geekiness that Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni have for the Star Wars franchise. Fans of the animated Clone Wars will smile when an image of Rotta is shown to Mando. The use of an INT-4 Interceptor will blow the minds of those who had that toy but never saw it in any of the movies. Hell, even the use of the Amanaman species will show why this creature was bad enough to be in Jabba’s palace in Return of the Jedi. 

While all of this fan service and callbacks are great to see, it is the score by Ludwig Göransson that really takes the movie to another level. While the titular track is incredible to hear in a theater, the subsequent songs are all fantastic! Each song perfectly fits the scene and incorporates the main theme. The theme for the planet Shakari makes great use of synths and percussion that will have you dancing in your seats. 

Is the movie perfect? Not really. Is the movie fun and a great extension of the Mandalorian series? Yes, it is. The Mandalorian and Grogu is a fun time in the theaters and deserves to be seen on the big screen. Even if you just catch a matinee, this movie has moments that will not be the same on your television. 

Final Thoughts: Though a little weak on plot, The Mandalorian and Grogu is a fun time at the theaters. The continuing adventures of Mando and Grogu is great to see on the big screen and will satisfy fans until we get another Star Wars movie in the theaters. The action, score, and some of the images are make this movie feel like classic Star Wars. 

Violence: There is sci-fi violence in the movie. If your kid has seen previous Star Wars movies or Disney+ shows, they will be ok with this. 

Kid-Friendly: The movie is rated PG-13. The moments with Grogu and the Anzellans are charming and will keep a younger audience entertained. Rotta the Hutt’s story of being your own person is also a good one for kids to see. 

The evil Empire has fallen, and Imperial warlords remain scattered throughout the galaxy. As the fledgling New Republic works to protect everything the Rebellion fought for, they have enlisted the help of legendary Mandalorian bounty hunter Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and his young apprentice Grogu.