Movies are a prime form of media, offering the ability to break social barriers, reshape society, and stimulate innovation across the globe. However, buried beneath that, the simplicity of a movie’s main point to entertain can sometimes be lost. The Mandalorian and Grogu perfectly reemphasize this reality by relying on pretty scenery, attention-grabbing fight scenes and character designs rather than true storytelling to draw in viewers.
While this strategy might seem like the lazy way out, ironically, I believe it was perfectly executed. Following in the tailcoats of The Mandalorian TV show, the movie was already akin to a sequel, gaining less traction around its release. Because of this, it was a clear choice to try to steer away from any complex or revolutionary writing, instead focusing on entertainment. Also, due to the emphasis on Grogu—the small green animal affectionately renamed by fans to “Baby Yoda”—by titling the film The Mandalorian and Grogu, it was clear the film was trying to draw attention from Star Wars’s younger fans, giving another reason to keep the story simple.
Based on this, I argue that the film did exactly what it was meant to do. The story follows the Mandalorian on a mission with Grogu working for the New Republic to catch a mysterious Imperial warlord. To do this, the Mandalorian employs the help of the Hutts, who send him on a side quest to bring back their nephew from a “kidnapping” in return for the location of the imperial warlord. While I do appreciate that the stories attempt to twist throughout, the overall plot was quite straightforward in the end, and none of the mysteries were complex enough to create interesting plot twists. However, what made the film worthwhile was the atmosphere throughout.
From battles to dialogue to chase scenes, the environment was vibrant and alive. The sets and backgrounds provided never felt dull or motionless, and the worlds the characters were inserted into felt real in a fun, almost comedic sense. The character design was also eye-catching, with a wide array of monsters and races. The story, while basic, also never felt slow or uninteresting. While looking back on it, nothing stands out as particularly intriguing. However, when I was in the theater, my eyes never wandered.
There is by no means a valid argument towards the substance or importance of the film, and I am positive that in a few months, the last murmur of it will pass. However, I do not believe that makes a bad movie, as The Mandalorian and Grogu were far from that. I was entertained, happy and left the theater feeling sated. I have no doubt other viewers will experience this as well. As long as you do not go into the theaters with an inflated fantasy you hope the film will achieve, it is a feel good, perfect spend of money in your back pocket.
