Star Wars: The Mandalorian And Grogu * The Film’s Breathtaking Cinematography, Naturalistic Color Grading And Well-Executed Stunts, Create A Visual Spectacle
The evil Empire has fallen, and Imperial warlords remain scattered throughout the galaxy. As the fledgling New Republic works to protect everything the Rebellion fought for, they have enlisted the help of legendary Mandalorian bounty hunter Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and his young apprentice Grogu.
KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Ilana O. comments, “The film’s breathtaking cinematography, naturalistic color grading and well-executed stunts, create a visual spectacle. Most of all, the father-son dynamic between the Mandalorian and Grogu is explored further.” Ashish S. adds, “Of all the great things about the movie, the visuals and cinematography absolutely have to be mentioned. From the backgrounds and sets when the characters are outdoors to the visuals of the sky when Din and Grogu blast off in their ship, everything is truly breathtaking.” See their full reviews below.
The Mandalorian and Grogu
By Ilana O., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 18
(L-R) Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal) and Grogu in Lucasfilm’s THE MANDALORIAN AND GROGU. Photo by Nicola Goode. © 2025 Lucasfilm Ltd™. All Rights Reserved.
The Mandalorian and Grogu presents a continuation of the hit Star Wars show, The Mandalorian and takes us on an immersive, action-packed journey across multiple biomes! The film’s breathtaking cinematography, naturalistic color grading and well-executed stunts, create a visual spectacle. Most of all, the father-son dynamic between the Mandalorian and Grogu is explored further. Although the movie is mostly characterized as a fun adventure, there are some areas to the story that lack cinematic scale.
In the film, the Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal), a bounty hunter who works with the New Republic, is tasked to locate Rotta the Hutt (Jeremy Allen-White) and bring him back to his family. He is accompanied by his apprentice, Grogu, as they encounter a crime syndicate leader, and a rival bounty hunter that attempts to derail their mission. Despite this, Mandalorian must navigate the consequences of his decisions he makes during the rescue mission.
(L-R) Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal) and Colonel Ward (Sigourney Weaver) in Lucasfilm’s THE MANDALORIAN AND GROGU. Photo by Justin Lubin. © 2026 Lucasfilm Ltd™. All Rights Reserved.
The main cast are Mandalorian, Grogu, Rotta the Hutt, Colonel Ward (Sigourney Weaver), Janu Coin (Jonny Coyne) and Hugo (Martin Scorsese). Grogu shines in every scene through his expressive mannerisms. Although he is not played by an actor, the team of five puppeteers that controls his movements along with animatronic technology, create a very convincing performance. His presence not only adds moments of lighthearted humor, but complements Pedro Pascal’s performance as Mandalorian. The contrast between Grogu’s softness and Mandalorian’s stoic nature is effectively balanced. Martin Scorsese’s voice acting performance as Hugo, an Ardennian fry cook, also adds humor. Despite being in very few scenes, he delivers a memorable performance through his distinctive voice and natural interactions with Mandalorian. More so, the newer environments featured, such as the dark crime cities, swamp marshes and the tundra, display depth due to the natural color-grading and cinematography — which avoids heavy reliance on green screens. Lateef Crowder and Brendan Wayne, who both split the stunt choreography for Mandalorian, are great at incorporating elements of martial arts, which make Mandalorian appear more grounded and human.
Grogu in Lucasfilm’s THE MANDALORIAN AND GROGU. Photo courtesy of Lucasfilm. © 2026 Lucasfilm Ltd™. All Rights Reserved.
To seasoned fans of the franchise, the story itself may feel limited in cinematic scope or underwhelming, due to its quick resolution and lower stakes—which pale in comparison to the show. However, its isolated adventure and straightforward plot ensures that even those who have not seen the show can still be invested in the emotional stakes of the film.
The film’s message explores the dynamics of a chosen family vs biological family and overcoming generational trauma. Be aware, there are instances of death and violence.
The Mandalorian and Grogu gets 3.5 out of 5 stars from me and I recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. It releases in theatres beginning on May 22, 2026.
Star Wars: The Mandalorian And Grogu
By Ashish S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 17
(L-R) Grogu and The Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal) in Lucasfilm’s THE MANDALORIAN AND GROGU. Photo courtesy of Lucasfilm. © 2026 Lucasfilm Ltd™. All Rights Reserved.
Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu is an exciting action packed adventure while combining humor and heart that feels like the perfect summer film. While the plot feels a bit disjointed, its stunning visuals and cinematography combined with the development of the characters was enough to win me over.
The storyline follows Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal), otherwise known as the “Mandalorian” and his adoptive son Grogu. Under orders from Colonel Ward (Sigourney Weaver), Mandalorian must track down Rotta The Hutt (Jeremy Allen White) and rescue him. Things aren’t how they seem however, and Grogu must step in to save the day.
Of all the great things about the movie, the visuals and cinematography absolutely have to be mentioned. From the backgrounds and sets when the characters are outdoors to the visuals of the sky when Din and Grogu blast off in their ship, everything is truly breathtaking.
The Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal) in Lucasfilm’s THE MANDALORIAN AND GROGU. Photo by Francois Duhamel. © 2026 Lucasfilm Ltd™. All Rights Reserved.
I especially enjoyed the beginning scene where the characters are fighting their primary battle in a snowy landscape and the utilization of special effects when the Mandalorian is fighting with his weapons. One negative thing about the film is its broken plot – it doesn’t have one central story and the main plot is split into two parts. The first part of the film focuses on Rotta The Hutt; while the second part focuses on Grogu and his role in saving other characters. It almost feels like two separate stories that don’t really intertwine, leading to a sense of isolation for the viewer. My favorite part is the character Grogu due to his adorable visuals, levity and humor.
The film’s message revolves around leaning on others and the role of friendship and trust. This is encapsulated through the relationship between Din Djarin and Grogu, and how they depend on each other during their individual times of need, as well as their relationship with Rotta The Hutt. Be forewarned that there are moments of intense, though not graphic, violence throughout this film, and some mild profanity.
I give Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. It releases in theaters on Friday, May 22, 2026.
