May 22, 2026 9:26pm IST
‘Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu’ Review: Coasting on Cuteness and Vibes Alone
When talking about Jon Favreau’s “The Mandalorian and Grogu,” there’s a question that must be asked. Who is this “Star Wars” film for? Is it for the fans of George Lucas’ epic space saga that makes political statements as effectively as it makes adorkable robots? A constantly expanding universe, much like the one we live in, that touches upon every facet of life — politics, family, good vs evil. Or is it for the fans who only wish to dwell in its nostalgia, buy its toys and just generally have a fun, if eventually forgettable, time at the movies?
For a long time now, barring the acclaimed “Andor” and cancelled “The Acolyte,” the “Star Wars” franchise hasn’t been much of the first. The Mandalorian series may have started off as the first, but the film definitely slots under the latter. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing. “The Mandalorian and Grogu” is a fun time at the movies, coasting on the cuteness of Grogu and the vibes emitted by Pedro Pascal in his armor and despite his face hidden behind a helmet. But is there potential to do more? Possibly. Does the film want to do more, though? That's the big question.
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You could say "The Mandalorian and Grogu" picks up after the series, but you can barely discern any difference in the father-son dynamic that Mando and Grogu share; hasn’t it always been like this? At the New Republic base camp, Colonel Ward (Sigourney Weaver) assigns Mando a bounty hunter task: Find Jabba the Hutt’s son, Rotta the Hutt, and bring him home to his aunt and uncle, The Twins, who’re ruling over the Hutt home planet, Nal Hutta in his absence. In exchange, they will provide intel on the elusive Imperial warlord Coin.
On the planet Shakari, Mandalorian and Grogu find Rotta the Hutt, who’s happy being a gladiator for a crime lord named Janu (Jonny Coyne), away from the shadow of his father’s name and his aunt and uncle’s attempts to kill him. Even as Mando and Grogu find a way to get the reluctant Rotta out, double-crossing trouble awaits.
“The Mandalorian and Grogu” follows the classic “Star Wars” three-part act: Mission, completing the mission that leads to fallout, and then regrouping for the big climax that leads to a happy ending. There's nothing truly extraordinary here, storytelling-wise, to marvel about. If anything, it’s a simple tale of a righteous soldier doing his duty and being helped on the way by those who admire his work ethic.
Instead, the film works because the world of “Star Wars” has more fascinating creatures and world-building than human characters. The Hutt Twins may not be as oily and ick-inducing as their cousin, Jabba, but they’ll do. The Anzellans are hilarious; a scene with them piloting the ship with Grogu is insanely reminiscent of the penguins from “Madagascar.” Anyone who doesn’t know Martin Scorsese voices Hugo, the food van owner, would somehow figure out it is him, because that’s how accurate the characterisation is.
Even Jeremy Allen White’s Rotta the Hutt has more personality than a regular human in the story. As for Pedro Pascal, just knowing he is behind the helmet is enough. He does take it off, but the intrigue works for him more.
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The highlight, the beating heart, the saving grace or whatever you might want to call it, of the film is Grogu. Grogu suiting up to help his dad, nursing him back to health after a bad fight, teaming up with the Anzellans, and his deadpan reactions to things around him. Just the sight of The Mandalorian walking around with Grogu on his shoulder, teaching him how to fly a spaceship and watching his son play with Rotta on the beach could be a three-hour film.
In the end, the questions remain. Does this work as a film or as a series, a monster-of-the-week or procedural format with a new case for this dad-son duo to solve that actually develops their relationship and introduces some conflict or friction there? Or are the cuteness and vibes enough to coast through on a basic plot, especially when you’ve space (pun intended) to do so much more? In the syntax of Master Yoda, fun was had. But to do better, try one must.
“The Mandalorian and Grogu” is currently in theaters.
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