To the uninitiated it has been a fat minute since new Star Wars has hit cinema screens, but to me it's just another Tuesday. But what did I think about the slightly basic titled The Mandalorian & Grogu? Now this might shock you but, I really loved it! Is it the most insanely awesome Star Wars movie I've ever seen? No, but the stakes feel appropriate for the jump from series to film even though it actually feels more in tune with season 1 Mandalorian while still keeping all the additions of the other seasons and even beyond the show in terms of time and lore. The plot while very centered on Din and Grogu going through links to capture imperial warlords gets a bit sidetracked with the gangster siblings of Jabba but it forms a coherent and even emotional tale that may not be the most dazzling pulse pounding grandiose story of say the main 9 saga films, but it works in it's own way. The main draw to the film really is the relationship and dynamic of Din and Grogu, no matter how many references and extended characters that us mega fans know by heart. And I hate to say it with every fibre of my being but I think they're setting up the eventual demise of Din, slowly and ever so slightly but it could happen sooner than later. Papa Pedro is committed as always and still really good but I can understand his possible thinking that he can't do this forever and it toys with that in the movie. Of course Grogu is still our sweet baby but shows remarkable capability and not only did he comprise my favorite scene of the entire movie but got me on the absolute cusp of shedding tears. A Star Wars movie has never quite hit me like this and it must be noted. Kind of an inverted duet with Sigourney Weaver and Jeremy Allen White, I thought we would see Rotta barely at all after a certain point and get more Colonel Ward but we stick with Rotta for a good bit and I gotta tell you man, never have I ever been so keen and down with a Hutt in my existence! He was rad as hell and not to mention the mind trip of seeing that little slug baby all grown up after the 2008 Clone Wars movie. Of course I'm a mark for Anzellans, Embo, dragon snakes, and Dejarik creatures so I was having a field day and every little nod and reference I caught was a treat. I think people kinda forget how deeply self referrential Star Wars truly is, I dare say it's at least half of the backbone of the entire franchise and the other half being combining so much culture and classic tales of fantasy and fiction to create something new. It's a very enjoyable fun movie that screams escapsim, with appropriately excellent special effects, a fantastic score by Ludwig Göransson that in my opinion eclipses the series soundtrack and stands toe to toe with the memorability of the John Williams score, a good bit of humor but never afraid to take it slow or serious, and makes me incredibly interested what could come of season four of the series. Just check your expectations at the door and have fun, it's a damn good time to be a Star Wars fan like every other day of the year and I'll be extremely happy to add this to the DVD shelf when that special day comes. This is indeed the way. 3.5 stars, 8.5/10, I'm a happy camper.
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