Matt

You jump right in. The first act left me feeling very intrigued, but the pace of action left characters feeling flat. Emily Blunt’s character is definitely what kept me engaged. The second act was a cat and mouse “run away from the corporate / government bad guys” game that, although enjoyable and mysterious, I think lasted a bit too long. There are some laughable decisions within the writing that feel like something to perpetuate the chase rather than being interesting plot points. The story forgets about the modern news media experiencence, but once we actually get to the disclosure, it felt very touching. It was emotional watching the reporters’ reactions… right up until the very last second of the movie that will piss off viewers, even though you’ll see it coming.

For those who love the series, this movie delivered everything you’ve learned to expect and more; no homework needed. Favreau and Filoni crafted a fun adventure across the galaxy far far away that is filled with Star Wars lore without being weighed down by the Skywalker Saga. It’s a kids movie. Don’t forget that. It lacks the mature complexity of Andor, so it’s a simpler tale. That said, it perfectly expands the story of Mando and Grogu where you see growth for each character both separately and together. Rotta the Hutt was a welcomed surprise, and the work on all the other creatures was everything I want out of the franchise. The mix of CG, practical effects, puppetry, and stop-motion felt nostalgic, yet elevated for the modern audience. I loved the nods to other films, and the score is amazing.