'The Mandalorian and Grogu' is an appetizer ahead of 'Star Wars' 50th

George M. Thomas, Akron Beacon Journal Fri, May 22, 2026 at 12:13 AM UTC

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For “Star Wars” fans looking for an inspiring, jaw-dropping experience like the one that caused movie fans to line up around corners to see George Lucas’ original pop culture phenomenon nearly 50 years ago, “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu” won’t be it.

For those looking for mostly engaging entertainment in the best possible cinematic format (I saw it in Cinemark’s recently added IMAX theater in Valley View), it proves to be worth almost every minute of your time.

There are times during the movie’s more than two hours when it feels like two different episodes of its predecessor television series, “The Mandalorian,” combined.

Ultimately, however, it comes together into something a bit more cohesive. And that is certainly needed given the movie cannot rely upon the cuteness of its one-time novelty who was called “Baby Yoda” before being given a name. The narrative has to carry it, and cuteness only goes so far.

Left to right: The Mandalorian and Grogu in Lucasfilm's "The Mandalorian and Grogu."

For director Jon Favreau (“Iron Man,” “The Mandalorian”) and co-writers Dave Filoni (“The Mandalorian”) and Noah Kloor (“The Mandalorian”), all of whom are well-rooted in the “Star Wars” universe, the film mixes the new and nostalgic to come up with a story that moves along briskly.

Mando (Pedro Pascal), as he is affectionally called by those who know him, is assigned another gig from what is now the New Republic, the entity that replaced the Galactic Empire after its defeat in “Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi,” to hunt the remaining warlords from that organization.

The New Republic isn’t as squeaky clean as it would like to believe it is, as it wants those former warlords by almost any means necessary.

The Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal) and Colonel Ward (Sigourney Weaver) in "The Mandalorian and Grogu."

One of its leaders, Col. Ward (Sigourney Weaver), gives him the job of rescuing Rotta the Hutt (voiced by Jeremy Allen White of "The Bear"), who is serving as a galactic MMA fighter. The request comes from Rotta’s twin aunt and uncle who would love nothing more than to continue to rule their dead brother’s galactic criminal organization.

The problem? He doesn’t want to be rescued because he’s on the verge of fulfilling the last fight on his contract – or so he believes. Things, however, are never how they appear in the “Star Wars” universe. Events go sideways for him and Mando. They find themselves in the clutches of his evil relatives. It’s not difficult to predict action, much of it rather thrilling, ensues.

The primary concern with “The Mandalorian and Grogu:" it doesn’t really remember its heart until two-thirds of the way through.

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The strength of the Disney+ series has always been the relationship between the titular characters and it’s surprising the creator of that series, Favreau, allows that to take a backseat for much of the film. When the narrative remembers that, there are more than a few memorable moments of emotional resonance.

Pascal, by now, has made the role his own. It’s always been an exercise in minimalism and stoicism from an emotional standpoint. The affection he feels for his traveling companion and surrogate son, however, is fully on display even with Pascal’s emotionally understated performance.

No, “The Mandalorian and Grogu” isn’t the mesmerizing experience of the original, but it will do, cinematically, for the next year. However, fans since May 25, 1977, should hope that Lucasfilm and Walt Disney Studios seriously up their game for that 50th anniversary.

George M. Thomas covers a myriad of things including sports and pop culture, but mostly sports, he thinks, for the Beacon Journal.

Review

Movie: “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu”

Cast: Pedro Pascal, Jeremy Allen White, Sigourney Weaver, Martin Scorsese

Directed by: Jon Favreau

Running time: 2 hours 12 minutes

Rated: PG-13 for sci-fi violence and action

Grade: B

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: 'Star Wars' back in theaters with enjoyable 'Mandalorian and Grogu'

Original Article on Source

Source: “AOL Entertainment”