‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’ is the first ‘Star Wars’ film to be released in theaters since December 2019’s ‘Episode IX’. It’s being criticized as a feature length extension of the phenomenon that launched Disney+ just a month and a half prior to that film. Figurative reams of stories have been published on the demise of this mighty franchise, but this minor adventure story may be the best indication as to how to keep it going. Is there much of a narrative to this movie? Not particularly, but it manages to effectively capture what fans love about the show without bogging down a potentially tired audience.

One barely needs to be current on what has transpired with these characters from the show. The basic premise of a found father/son bounty hunter dynamic after the fall of the Empire is really all that’s needed to know going into this one. Mando (full name Din Djarin) is now working exclusively for the New Republic, hunting down Imperial Remnants who have been scattered all over the galaxy. Most notably, his target to open this movie has set up shop in the Outer Rim, a blowhard who really can’t hold a candle to the skill of the armored one, even equipped with three AT-ATs and familiar snowtroopers (always cool visuals). The sequence is exhilarating, displaying the cool, precise fighting style of Din and the welcome Force-assists of his shoulder-latched compatriot Grogu.

After the thrilling opening, the film sets up the rest of the narrative, sending the duo on the mission that will yet again test their mettle and their bond. Sigourney Weaver is here to provide some gravitas as steely Colonel Ward, who outlines the mission within a mission. For the first time in live action fans get to spend some time in the swampy, mud-cave environs of Nal Hutta, homeworld of those slimy gangsters, the Hutts. During this section the Jon Favreau co-written and directed movie cedes to the instincts of Dave Filoni, driving force behind the animated series ‘The Clone Wars’ and ‘Rebels’, who has ascended to favorite son of LucasFilm. While Favreau helms with his command of CGI-heavy action and framing, it’s Filoni’s stable of supporting characters that are heavily featured. They include the Hutt Twins, Zeb, bounty hunter Embow, and Rotta the Hutt, Jabba’s son, who was introduced as a baby in “The Clone Wars” theatrical release of the first few episodes of Filoni’s animated series. He’s now a swole gladiator in the fighting pits of new neon location Shakari, and inexplicably played by Jeremy Allen White with his voice altered. The character and performance only partially works, initially presented in a jarring way but ultimately winning the audience over, especially with his shared fondness of the titular little guy.

As a self-proclaimed super Star Wars fan, Favreau is most in his bag when he’s focusing on the multitude of non-human characters and the set pieces they play in. In addition to the Filoni-verse call backs, M&G features a fight scene with the figures from Chewie’s holo-chess board in ‘A New Hope’, high-end speeder chases, what appears to be stop-motion animated droids, and most welcome of all, the return of the hilarious Anzellans, the species of Babu Frick who all seem to be mechanics. There are extended sequences showing off puppet mastery, including a standout solo stint for Grogu that provides true growth for the Disney phenom. Also back is composer Ludwig Goransson, iterating on his iconic themes from the show as well as adding some driving, echoing techno synths to score the neon cityscape portion of the movie.

The stars of this project, Mando and Grogu, are front and center for this movie, as it should be. The series had strayed from the core “Lone Wolf and Cub” trope as it revealed more and more complicated lore in this Mandalorian sect of the galaxy. It’s apparent that the mandate for ‘The Mandalorian and Grogu‘ was to give the target audience exactly that. Pedro Pascal, along with rightfully billed suit and stunt performers Brendan Wayne and Lateef Croweer, truly get their due here in standout, mostly wordless action scenes. Grogu (who will always be known as Baby Yoda no matter what Disney wants) is such an incredible invention as is, it’s best to just have him do his thing. Every generation has had their entry point “version” of Star Wars (Original Trilogy, Prequel Trilogy, Sequel Trilogy, Disney+ series). As a result, Star Wars fans have become a many headed hydra, impossible to please 100% of, so perhaps rather than trying to do so, Disney and Lucasfilm can settle on catering to each group separately and maintain their divided big tent as such it is . . .

Directed By: Jon Favreau

Written By: Jon Favreau, Dave Filoni, & Noah Kloor

Rated: PG-13

Running Time: 132 min.

* * * (out of 4 stars) -OR- B