Is This the Way? Our META Movie Review of Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu

"Star Wars" is returning to the big screen! After nearly seven years away from theaters, "The Mandalorian and Grogu" finally takes us back to a galaxy far, far away. But can the beloved heroes from the hit series hold their own in blockbuster format? And can the film revive the struggling "Star Wars" franchise in cinemas?

In our META movie review, you'll find out what to expect from "The Mandalorian and Grogu" – and what we and other critics think of it!

Here's what it's about

At the heart of the film, of course, are the two familiar heroes from the hit Disney+ series "The Mandalorian": the bounty hunter Din Djarin, played by Pedro Pascal, and Grogu, often referred to as "Baby Yoda." The Mandalorian now works for the still-young New Republic. Although the Empire has fallen, numerous Imperial warlords are still scattered across the galaxy. Mando and his apprentice Grogu are tasked with tracking down a dangerous warlord. At the same time, they embark on a rescue mission for Rotta (Jeremy Allen White), the son of Jabba the Hutt.

First things first: prior knowledge isn't really necessary for "The Mandalorian and Grogu." Director Jon Favreau's film is a standalone adventure with very few connections to the tv show. Of course, it's nice if you're familiar with Mando and Grogu. After all, their dynamic is a major highlight for many fans. Still, you can absolutely enjoy the movie without much prior knowledge.

A New Adventure

However, this concept turns out to be both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, it's positive that "Star Wars" fans without prior knowledge of the series can enjoy the film. On the other hand, the creators miss out on the chance to further develop the story surrounding Mando & Grogu.

What's particularly disappointing is that "The Mandalorian and Grogu" doesn't tell an important chapter in the duo's journey. Instead, it simply feels like another mission. The rather insignificant story lacks emotional highlights and genuine relevance for the main characters. The first two seasons of "The Mandalorian," in particular, had more to offer in this regard. The film's approach has also been criticized by Tom Jorgensen of IGN, among others:

"This is a 'Star Wars' movie missing the thrills, the surprises, the challenges, the addition of really anything of note to the franchise, not to mention a vested interest in seeing its characters grow and change."

A simple side quest?

You also can't help but feel that the plot could just as easily have been told in two episodes of "The Mandalorian." YouTuber Jeremy Jahns is therefore harsh in his assessment of the film:

"Every minute spent with the Hutts in this movie was every minute that felt like a side quest. Only thing is: It's the main quest in here, which makes this whole movie feel like a side quest."

The Hutts do indeed remain rather bland and are neither original nor interesting. Overall, it's puzzling why the filmmakers didn't take the opportunity to tell a more meaningful story in Mando and Grogu's first cinematic adventure. Even as an entry point for new fans, a more compelling narrative would have been the better choice. As it stands, the plot unfortunately doesn't feel appropriate for the cinematic debut of the series' heroes and has barely any noticeable impact on the characters.

The opening is still convincing

One positive aspect worth highlighting is the opening. The film kicks off with a classic "Mandalorian"-style action scene on a snowy planet. Combined with Ludwig Göransson's fantastic score, the thrilling introduction raises expectations. Many critics agree on this – including Jeremy Jahns.

"The first five minutes of the movie [are] the best part of the movie."

What do critics highlight positively?

The opening and Göransson's music are thus highlights of the film. Of course, there are also critics who view other elements positively. Frank Scheck from the industry magazine The Hollywood Reporter, for example, praises the audiovisual experience:

"The scale has certainly been pumped up, with an obviously bigger budget, spectacular action sequences and a significant portion projected in full IMAX-level proportions. It looks, sounds and feels like a 'Star Wars' movie."

The Grogu factor is certainly relevant for many as well. Fans of the small green icon will not be disappointed, with Grogu offering several cute moments along the way. It's also nice to see sci-fi legend Sigourney Weaver as the commander of the New Republic – though her role unfortunately gets very little screen time.

Final Verdict

Overall, "The Mandalorian and Grogu" has received a mixed response from critics. The critic score on Rotten Tomatoes currently stands at around 60%. The aggregated critic scores on Metacritic are even lower, in the 50s – firmly in mediocre territory. Many critics agree on one point in particular: the film feels like another episode of "The Mandalorian." In our opinion, however, it unfortunately doesn't feel like one of the standout episodes.

Our verdict: A weak story without memorable moments – we had hoped for a stronger theatrical debut for Mando and Grogu.

But make up your own mind: "The Mandalorian and Grogu" hits theaters on May 22.