‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’ Gets Divided First Reactions, From a ‘Thrilling Adventure’ to ‘One of the Weakest Star Wars Movies’ and a ‘Snooze Fest’

Key Points:

• "The Mandalorian and Grogu" marks the return of the Star Wars franchise to theaters, receiving mixed reviews ranging from praise for its fun, adventurous tone to criticism for weak character development and predictable storytelling.
• Positive feedback highlights the film's departure from strict lore adherence, with Fandango's Erik Davis appreciating its homage to '80s synth-driven scores and its pulpy, entertaining style.
• Some critics, like i09’s Germain Lussier and Collider’s Peri Nemiroff, found the movie more like an extended TV episode with uneven character portrayals, particularly criticizing the portrayal of Rotta the Hutt.
• Negative reviews, such as from reporter Jonathan Sim, describe the film as one of the weakest Star Wars movies, citing dull action sequences and a lack of emotional engagement or narrative innovation.
• Directed by Jon Favreau and featuring Pedro Pascal, Jeremy Allen White, and Sigourney Weaver, the film continues the story of Din Djarin and Grogu amid the post-Empire galaxy, debuting May 22 as the first theatrical release under new Lucasfilm leadership.