The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026)

Reasons I loved The Mandalorian and Grogu:

1. Old fashioned genre adventure movie. This took me way back to the kinds of matinee adventures I'd see as a kid. It had monsters and gun fights and colourful characters. It had me on the edge of my seat and rooting for the good guys. The film offers a lot for fans of the series but is completely accessible to anyone of almost any age no matter how much Star Wars you have seen. You could easily walk in off the street knowing nothing about Star Wars and follow everything. 

2. Space westerns! There is something about this genre that just grabs me. I don't know what it is about the mix of styles and themes that gets me but this is something the Mandalorian series has done so well and this film continues that tradition. 

3. The use of practical effects. The film feels lived in and the richness of the visuals (which contribute back to #1 above) give is such a warmth and joy to watch. There is a lot of CGI as well but it doesn't take me out of it. 

4. Pedro Pascal (enough said).

5. This is an adoption story. I am a sucker for these. Whether it's Superman or The Mandalorian I love films that explore the richness of found family. Star Wars has a lot of this and I find it very moving. 

6. Sigourney. Legend. The Queen of Science Fiction. 

7. This is Star Wars. I am exactly the right to be in love with Star Wars. I was a kid for the original trilogy, in college for the prequels, and a parent taking my child to see the sequel trilogy. This space fantasy means the world to me and getting a new big screen adventure that embraces all that it is (Hutts! fighter battles! Zeb!) slaps a big smile across my face. The film echoes themes and moments from across the franchise (there is always a bigger fish) which is a big part of what makes Star Wars feel like Star Wars. 

8. Grogu is easily one of the most enjoyable characters to come out of Star Wars in a generation and seeing him get to star in this adventure made my little heart happy as all hell. 

The Mandalorian and Grogu is just damn fun with a lovely relationship at its core. It doesn't claim to be very much at all and that makes it just a really great time at the cinema. This is the series that made me fall in love with movies and this film is keeping that love alive!

The Mandalorian and Grogu

Starring: Pedro Pascal, Sigourney Weaver, Jeremy Allen White, Steve Blum, Brendan Wayne, Lateef Crowder

Director: Jon Favreau

Writers: Dave Filoni, Noah Kloor, Jon Favreau