Three seasons, 24 episodes. Quite a long time to get attached to Din Djarin and Grogu. The third season of "The Mandalorian" may not have been as exciting as the preceding two. The devotion of a considerable amount of time to detours into other worlds and the larger universe-expansion plans in the aftermath of the Empire's fall may have played spoilsport for those who prefer the focus to be solely on the Mandalorians, but, it was not without its fair share of stunning spectacle — especially in the last couple of Season 3 episodes — that more than made up for any shortcomings.
The makers’ decision to opt for a two-hour movie in place of a fourth season may have baffled many loyal fans, but after having seen it, I don't think it was a bad move. Perhaps the makers behind it were experimenting with the idea of dropping a movie and seeing how it performs in theatres regardless of the financial risks involved. It's certainly a gamble, the outcome of which is hard to predict.
I say it's not a bad move because "The Mandalorian and the Grogu" feels more like a side quest than picking up directly from the Season 3 finale. The story of the last season saw a definite conclusion, with Grogu becoming an adopted son/apprentice to Din Djarin. Those who may be seeing this movie without having seen all three seasons of "The Mandalorian" may feel lost, emotionally; however, for those who have invested a lot and care too much about these characters, there is enough happening in "The Mandalorian and Grogu" to give a damn.
Over the course of all three seasons, we have seen the show paying visual tributes to not just the iconic films in the "Star Wars" saga, but also world cinema classics — anything from Akira Kurosawa's "Seven Samurai" to the japanese manga "Lone Wolf and Cub" to Sergio Leone's "Dollars" trilogy" to "Indiana Jones" and even "Blade Runner". Those references continue through the movie as well, in addition to a few more possible nods to other big franchises.
The opening sequence in "The Mandalorian and Grogu" feels straight out of a James Bond adventure: a committee of senior Imperial remnants discussing attempts to restore the Empire's former glory. This opening functions like the prologue in any Bond movie — in the middle of an ongoing mission — and followed by another familiar Bond-style snow-set action sequence, but with "Star Wars" machinery. When the mission completes, Din Djarin reports to an M-like figure (Sigourney Weaver), a New Republic colonel who was formerly a Rebel Alliance pilot. Weaver is cast for one more homage, but I'd rather not spoil it.
Simply put, "The Mandalorian and Grogu" is just a standalone mission that feels like an extended version of one of the episodes of the three seasons. The focus is only on this mission and the perils that accompany it — and they are quite scary! Despite occasional mention of the Empire and the presence of associated crime figures, this movie's primary focus isn't about the larger scheme of things but the task at hand: rescuing Rotta the Hutt, the son of Jabba the Hutt. Interestingly, this is a man who doesn’t wish to be like his father; he wants to be liberated from the slain crime lord’s shadow — be his own man.
It brings up an interesting parallel to the Djarin-Grogu bond. Rotta is a lonely soul with potential — there's even a possible Spartacus/Gladiator nod when Djarin goes into Kirk Douglas/Russell Crowe mode during a dangerous match where the two have to fend off all sorts of nasty creatures.
But there are far bigger threats ahead, one that gets us worrying for the fate of Djarin. Not to give anything away, but "The Mandalorian and Grogu" has, for the first time in the history of this particular universe, an incredibly quiet and unhurried extended sequence. Here, Grogu becomes the principal focus. It's a moment that could irk those who feel the sudden dip in pace, but I found it quite soothing, especially in a scene where Grogu sneaks up behind a certain creature to steal food. There's a real sense of adventure here, and our patience is soon rewarded with a major climactic setpiece.
As with all the three seasons of the show, the movie, too, is supposed to be enjoyed like a classic matinee serial. Some of the criticisms against these seem overboard and unfair. These films and shows are supposed to fill us with a sense of hope and leave us with a smile. They weren’t trying to peddle rocket science. Why this strong need to intellectualise everything?
"The Mandalorian and Grogu" got me worried in the right places and made me smile in the right places. It doesn't reach the heights of some of the exemplary episodes in the series, but it was satisfactory enough. And you know something? I did not expect to see Martin Scorsese's name in the cast (voice) list. It was a small, welcome delight.
Film: The Mandalorian and Grogu
Director: Jon Favreau
Cast: Pedro Pascal, Sigourney Weaver, Jeremy Allen White
Rating: 3.5/5
