I have a confession to make: when it comes to the Star Wars universe, I’m very much what you would call an OG fan. For me, Star Wars was always about the magic of the original trilogy, alongside the prequels of Episodes I to III that I grew up with. While Episodes VII, VIII and IX were admittedly divisive among fans, I still appreciated what they tried to do and how they managed to conclude the “trilogy of trilogies” with the final Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
But somehow, after that chapter ended, my excitement for Star Wars slowly faded away. The spark just wasn’t the same anymore.
When The Mandalorian first premiered in 2019 on Disney+, I was admittedly skeptical. A lone masked bounty hunter and a tiny green alien baby? I wasn’t entirely convinced at first. Still, over the years and across three successful seasons, I gradually came to appreciate how the series expanded the lore of the galaxy while returning to the adventurous spirit that made Star Wars so beloved in the first place.
That said, I never considered myself a die-hard Mandalorian fan.
Until now.
Watching The Mandalorian & Grogu completely reignited my love for Star Wars. From the very first scene, I felt like I was being thrown onto an exhilarating theme park ride through the galaxy. The film is packed with frantic action sequences, emotional character moments and genuinely funny comedy that had the entire cinema reacting together. One moment, I was laughing at Grogu’s adorable antics, and the next, I found myself unexpectedly emotional during some of the quieter, more heartfelt scenes between Din Djarin and his little companion.
It reminded me why I fell in love with Star Wars in the first place, not because of lore debates or fan theories, but because of the sense of wonder, adventure and heart.
For longtime Star Wars and The Mandalorian fans, you probably already know the premise of the film. But for casual viewers or even newcomers, don’t worry… this movie is surprisingly accessible even if you have never watched a single episode of the series before.
Set after the events of The Mandalorian, the story follows lone bounty hunter Din Djarin and his mysterious young companion Grogu as they embark on a brand-new adventure across the galaxy. Along the way, they encounter dangerous enemies, unexpected allies and increasingly high-stakes missions, while the film continues to explore the father-son-like bond that has made the duo such a phenomenon worldwide.
What impressed me the most was how cinematic everything felt. The scale of the action is far larger than what we saw on television. Space battles feel massive, fight scenes are slick and intense, and several sequences genuinely made me feel like a child again watching Star Wars for the first time. Director Jon Favreau clearly understands that Star Wars works best when it balances spectacle with sincerity.
And thankfully, the film never loses sight of its emotional core.
Of course, even though Pedro Pascal carries much of the emotional and acting weight as Din Djarin, the true star of the movie is undeniably Grogu.
Every single time Grogu appeared onscreen, the audience collectively melted.
Whether he was causing chaos, innocently snacking, using the Force or simply staring silently at Din with those huge eyes, Grogu somehow manages to steal every scene without even speaking. It’s honestly incredible how attached audiences have become to this tiny green character in such a short span of time.
Adding even more charm to the film are the hilarious Anzellan Droidsmiths, the tiny alien mechanics who became fan favourites after appearing briefly in the series. Here, they are given a much larger role, and their interactions with Grogu are some of the funniest moments in the entire movie. Their chaotic energy had the whole theatre erupting in laughter multiple times.
What I particularly admire is the filmmakers’ decision to continue relying heavily on practical effects and puppet animatronics rather than excessive CGI. Grogu himself feels tangible and alive in a way that purely computer-generated characters often struggle to achieve. The Anzellans too have that wonderfully handcrafted quality reminiscent of creatures from the original trilogy created by George Lucas.
That old-school practical filmmaking gives the movie a nostalgic warmth that feels authentic to the Star Wars universe.
Perhaps what surprised me most was just how joyful the entire experience felt.
There has been so much discourse surrounding Star Wars in recent years, from debates over canon to fan expectations and franchise fatigue, that sometimes it feels like people forget these movies are meant to be fun. The Mandalorian & Grogu embraces that spirit wholeheartedly.
It doesn’t try to overcomplicate itself with endless exposition or galaxy-altering mythology. Instead, it focuses on delivering an entertaining adventure with characters audiences genuinely care about. And honestly? That simplicity works brilliantly.
The audience in my theatre during the preview screening was cheering during several scenes, laughing loudly throughout the film and applauding once the credits rolled. It felt like a shared celebration among fans who had been waiting a long time to feel this excited about Star Wars again.
For me personally, this movie achieved something I honestly did not expect: it made me fall in love with Star Wars all over again.
And in a galaxy filled with endless sequels, spin-offs and franchise expansions, that might just be the greatest achievement of all.
Movie stills courtesy of The Walt Disney Company
The Mandalorian & Grogu opens on 21 May in Shaw Theatres and other cinemas islandwide. Click here to purchase your tickets.
SAFRA members and MovieMax members were also treated to over 300 pairs of free tickets of The Mandalorian & Grogu. Thank you to all members who took part. If you missed this giveaway, watch out for other upcoming movie giveaways and contests on our website here.
