#REVIEW: “STAR WARS: THE MANDALORIAN AND GROGU”

Review by Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong

Remember in 2019 all the way to 2023? When if you were online when you woke-up on Fridays, you’d get up at 3AM ET, turn-on Disney+ and watch the newest episode of the Bounty Hunter and little green dude you just couldn’t help but love?

It was called The Mandalorian and the green Yoda-like creature is Grogu, and somehow they stole our hearts and even when it overstayed its welcome, we watched it anyways religiously. Regardless though, in what feels like a series finale of The Mandalorian [and Grogu],  the big screen epic is just that – an adrenaline-fueled four-part finale nothing more, nothing less. And a whole lot of you are here because you enjoy Star Wars and not much more. Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu, directed by Jon Favreau – Series Creator and Co-Writer alongside Dave Filoni, and Noah Kloor, is the big screen finale that foreseeably create a spin-off series for yet another character. But this just feels like concluding a story that some may have forgotten about by this point with the abundance of subsequent seasons and spin-offs. Regardless, it’s big screen fun and enjoyment looks best in IMAX.

The Movie focuses on Mando (Pedro Pascal) and his partner Grogu, being assigned a dangerous mission by Colonel Ward (Sigourney Weaver) as they have to go to the Hutt Twins – something Mando is against. He wants nothing to do with the Hutts, but Ward and the Republic need answers. They need to know the identity and capture a high-ranking official that has ties to the Empire. While begrudgingly agreeing to Ward’s job, Mando and Grogu travel to Nal Hutta and meet the ‘twins’ who ask him to rescue Rotta the Hutt (Jeremy Allen White) their nephew and son of Jabba – if Mando does this successfully, they will tell Ward and the Republic the location of the man they’re looking for.

This would be fine and dandy, if you could trust a Hutt. So of course, things are going to go haywire, and cause chaos, but the Supporting Cast here consisting of a gangster named Janu (Jonny Coyne) who owns the contract of Ratta – a contracted fighter, hardly a prisoner, and a fry cook (voiced by iconic Martin Scorsese) bring a lot of energy and in the latter’s case entertainment to the forefront.

Star Wars: The Mandalorian & Grogu, doesn’t (surprisingly) entirely require you to have watched any of the show, but having seen it (or at least a recap) will prove to be helpful. As this is a direct continuation of their relationship and the bond they have, it is easiest to understand and follow their dynamic with a previous understanding.  Nearly everyone else in the Movie however, is a new character, with minimal development. Favreau, Filoni, and Kloor likely intended on having a fourth season, and more room to tell this story, but instead, we are given two-and-a-half hours. The most egregious part of the Movie however, is there are two occasions which feels like a direct promotion for the next inevitable Disney attraction at the park – which is great for a theatrical experience in glorious IMAX, but completely removes one from the Movie itself.

Pascal has managed to get the character down pat, he’s had three years of wearing the mask almost consistently, but it is the newcomer in the Franchise, White, who came as a surprise. But by the end of the Movie it is apparent, and his performance as Ratta is so grounded in emotion and conviction that a spin-off would be welcomed.

Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu is going to be seen by the fans, but revisits and casual audiences may have already jumped ship. A series conclusion, doubling as a Star Wars cinematic entry proves a debatable choice. We haven’t had a Star Wars film yet that pivots away from the Skywalkers, so this Film is a bit of a hard sell. Nonetheless, it is harmless and fun in the right ways. Sit back and enjoy the finale of. The ride is a joy, and the presentation in IMAX is truly spectacular.

Walt Disney Studios Canada release STAR WARS: THE MANDALORIAN AND GROGU in theatres on Friday, May 22, 2026.