‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’ Review: Baby Yoda and His Anzellan Crew Make Their Big Screen Star Wars Debut a Fun One

Fans of The Mandalorian are going to have a lot of fun with The Mandalorian & Grogu. That’s not to say that fans of Star Wars who hated the show will hate the movie but I do think that the latest Star Wars adventure is more for the Grogu stans of the world.

Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and his small green son work for the New Republic, helping to track down those war lords who are trying to keep the ideals of the Galactic Empire alive. When Din is tasked with finding a missing ace, he has to go to unlikely sources for information. Including the Hutts. Jabba’s twin siblings are looking for their nephew, Rotta the Hutt (Jeremy Allen White), and promise answers for Rotta’s return.

With a mission in mind and Grogu and Zeb (Steve Blum) at his side, the Mandalorian is ready for what the galaxy has in store for him. All that is fine and well and feels exactly like an episode of The Mandalorian, which is part of the joy (and downfall) of The Mandalorian & Grogu. It is, at times, just a condensed season 4 storyline.

More than that, the real actual “issue” with the film is Rotta the Hutt’s dialogue that is reminiscent of George Lucas’ own struggle with how people talk to each other. But even as Rotta talks about the trauma of being Jabba the Hutt’s son, there is still a lot to love about the movie. Most of it having to do with Grogu and his band of Anzellans.

30 minutes of the most perfect (almost) silent film

What I do love about The Mandalorian & Grogu is the film’s willingness to let Grogu have his moment to shine. Reminder: Grogu doesn’t speak. So when something leaves Din Djarin silent, director Jon Favreau relies on the quiet moments with just Grogu’s coos to occupy the screen time. And it was perfect.

The Anzellans and Grogu are on a mission to help Din with the Hutts. That means that we have a bunch of Babu Friks running around saying half phrases while Grogu makes little noises with them. At one point, an Anzellan says “It got me” in probably the funniest way I’ve ever heard. Instantly added it to my lexicon.

Now, if you have whimsy in your heart (or maybe if you are also a fan of the Ewoks), The Mandalorian & Grogu will be a fun ride. It isn’t Rogue One levels of serious and it isn’t taking on the Empire and the themes present there. It is simply a man, his son, and their daily work struggles.

This isn’t going to reinvent Star Wars as a whole and isn’t changing movie history. But I do think that The Mandalorian & Grogu is the kind of fun family adventure that fans of the show will enjoy. I did. I had a wonderful time watching my husband and son dealing with the Hutts. And maybe that’s what Star Wars needs to make its big screen return: Some fun antics, a bunch of Anzellans, and Grogu’s little ear reactions.

The Mandalorian & Grogu hits theaters on May 22.

(featured image: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)

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