Review of STAR WARS: THE MANDALORIAN AND GROGU: Bringing Bounty and Baby

May 19, 2026

"The Mandalorian" was the first live-action television series of the Star Wars franchise streamed on Disney+, with Jon Favreau as showrunner. it has run from 2019 to 2023, for three seasons so far. What was supposed to have been the fourth season of the series was instead turned by Lucasfilm into this film, under Favreau's direction. This is the first Star Wars franchise film in seven years after "Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker" (2019). 

Set five years after the rebels defeated the Galactic Empire in "The Return of the Jedi," the series followed the adventures of a bounty hunter named Din Djarin (Pablo Pascal), a.k.a. Mando. In one of his missions, he was supposed to turn over a Child of a mysterious species with an innate connection to the Force. Out of compassion, Mando decided to rescue him instead, and treated him as his son. His real name Grogu was revealed in S2E5.

For this film, Mando and Grogu was sent on missions to capture the remaining Imperial Remnants by the Adelphi Rangers of the New Republic led by Col. Ward (Sigourney Weaver). To locate the target, Mondo needed the help of notorious crime lords, the Hutt twins. In exchange for their intel, they wanted Mando to first retrieve their nephew Rotta, son of their late cousin Jabba the Hutt, who had been kidnapped. 

As it had been on the TV series, Mando was always seen wearing his helmet in accordance to the way of the Mand'alor which did not allow him to show his face to others. The only time we saw Pedro Pascal's face was when Mando was shamed by bounty hunter Embo (Dave Filoni) by unmasking him. So, we are not really sure who we are seeing in those intense action and fight scenes, Pascal or his stunt doubles, Brendan Wayne and Lateef Crowder.  

Grogu was a delightful creation of animatronics, puppetry and visual effects. Still considered a child at 50 years old, Grogu was of the same species as jedi master Yoda, who died at the ripe old age of 900 in "Return of the Jedi." Grogu's very cute "baby Yoda" look made him the "E.T." for this generation.  Grogu would have the screen on his own when Mando was out of commission for a while, and he was truly adorable, especially that meditating scene. 

First seen as a baby in "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" (2008), Rotta the Hutt was warm and sympathetic, as voiced by Jeremy Allen White, unlike his slimy elders. Fans cheered when Lasat rebel soldier Zeb Orrelios (Steve Blum) came out to pilot Mando's new Razor Crest craft. Martin Scorsese voiced an Ardennian sandwich storekeeper whom Mando bribed for info. Sigourney Weaver graced yet another sci-fi franchise, after "Alien" and "Avatar."

As a film, this one can stand on its own, even for those who have not seen the series. The story was not that hard to follow, with relentless action and plenty of alien creatures -- the fun (Minions-like Anzellan droidsmiths), the scary (giant albino Dragonsnake) and the thrilling (the Mantellian savrip and other gladiator arena warriors).  However, serious Star Wars fanboys who can spot obscure deep-cuts and callbacks will likely enjoy it a lot more. 8/10