My excitement for “The Mandalorian and Grogu” is a strange mix of hype and hesitation. On one hand, it’s the first Star Wars movie hitting theaters since 2019. On the other hand, the last Star Wars movie released was “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” — a complete dumpster fire.
With a 51% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes and the title of the lowest-rated live-action Star Wars movie, “The Rise of Skywalker” managed to take one of the biggest franchises ever made and bury it under a convoluted plot and weak storytelling. It was the cinematic equivalent of watching the Millennium Falcon crash into a wall in slow motion. I can only hope “The Mandalorian and Grogu” learned from those mistakes, because being “Star Wars” evidently isn’t enough to guarantee quality.
To Disney’s credit, though, recent years have shown signs of life. Shows like “The Mandalorian” and “Andor” proved the franchise could still tell meaningful stories when the writing actually comes first. Both series earned critical acclaim and managed something Disney-era Star Wars often struggles with: getting hardcore fans and casual viewers to agree on something for once.
The upcoming film serves as a continuation of “The Mandalorian,” which boasts a 90% on Rotten Tomatoes. The series was one of the most beloved Star Wars projects Disney has ever produced, following Din Djarin and his adventures with a mysterious child known to fans everywhere as Baby Yoda. What begins as a mission slowly becomes a father-son story wrapped inside blaster fights, bounty hunting and galactic chaos.
That balance is what made the show work so well. “The Mandalorian” never lost the adventurous spirit that made Star Wars fun in the first place, but it also didn’t water down the complexity of the galaxy around it. The show could jump from heartfelt moments to intense action without eeling forced.
And somehow, Pedro Pascal managed to create emotional chemistry with a puppet, making the show’s production even more impressive. Combined with stunning cinematography, a strong soundtrack and a star-studded cast, the show proved that Disney’s version of Star Wars could succeed when handled with care.
That’s exactly why anticipation for this movie is so high. Fan-favorite characters like the Mandalorian, Grogu and Garazeb “Zeb” Orrelios are all returning, but the movie is also bringing animated legends into live action.
Characters like Rotta the Hutt — Jabba the Hutt’s son last seen in “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” — and the legendary bounty hunter Embo are finally making the jump to the big screen. For longtime fans, that alone is enough to create a stir.
Ever since Disney acquired Star Wars, the franchise has felt wildly inconsistent. “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” started strong before the sequel trilogy spiraled into chaos through constant director changes and conflicting creative visions. Since then, Disney’s Star Wars output has bounced between terrible, mediocre and occasionally outstanding.
Even if you’re not a lifelong Star Wars fan, “The Mandalorian and Grogu” looks like the kind of movie anyone can enjoy. While longtime fans might catch more references, but at its core, it seems like an exciting, heartfelt space adventure for any audience. Personally, I’ll be in the theater on May 22 hoping this movie proves that Disney’s Star Wars legacy will be remembered for more than wasted potential.
