Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu delivers for Christian families

Film: Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu

Age rating: PG

Runtime: 132 minutes

See this if you liked: The Mandalorian, Solo

Synopsis

The Mandalorian and his adopted youngling, Grogu, are sent on a rescue mission to free Rotta the Hutt in order to gain more intel that may help them clean up the remnants of the Empire.

Review

Remember when Star Wars were family films? I mean, before those who watched the movies as kids grew up and decided that all Star Wars movies must appeal to fully grown adults… Well, The Mandalorian and Grogu is a fun family film just like the earlier ones.

If you’re a fan of the show, then this unofficial fourth season combined into one movie is going to scratch the itch. I’ve seen some online chatter about how this feeling like an extended episode is a bad thing, but honestly, it’s what I expected. It’s no better or worse than the show on Disney+ and that’s okay with me because I love the show and am happy with more of the same.

you don’t need to be a Star Wars nerd to enjoy it

If you’ve never seen the streaming show, I’m not sure you really need to. I think it’s straightforward enough to follow and mainly stands on its own outside of the larger Star Wars franchise, so you don’t need to be a Star Wars nerd to enjoy it.

Let’s be honest, the main reason you’ll go to see this movie is because of Grogu and that’s fair enough. Afterall, is there anyone or anything cuter than Grogu? The little green baby alien (although he’s actually over 50 years old) is adorable and there are other cute creatures, the Anzellans, that help him on his journey adding more comedic cuteness to a movie already packed with comedy and cuteness.

The action sequences are great and the Mandalorian is the coolest character in the whole of the Star Wars franchise

The action sequences are great and The Mandalorian is the coolest character in the whole of the Star Wars franchise for me. Extra points for raising a youngling and being a great dad – even if he might be guilty of child endangerment on several occasions…

I’ll admit that I was sceptical that they could make Jabba the Hutt’s son, Rotta, a character I would care about. I found it particularly shocking that they’d cast Jeremy Allen White fresh off his success on the hit TV show The Bear as a rotund slug albeit with a six pack… However, Rotta was the surprise hit character of the movie for me. I really cared about his character and I found him, as weird as it is to say, charismatic and charming!

a fun movie that made me laugh and had me leaving the cinema wanting to take on the galaxy

Is this the best film in the world? No. Is it even the best Star Wars film of all time? No (that belongs to Rogue One). But is it a fun movie that made me laugh and had me leaving the cinema wanting to take on the galaxy? Yes.

Faith thoughts

The Mandalorian was the first modern show that really began to play on the trope of a lone figure accidentally adopting a child along the way. The father/son dynamic is appealing, especially in a culture infiltrated by the Manosphere and one in which male role models can feel to be far and few. Couple this with many young men growing up without a father and maybe this is why The Mandalorian has captured so many hearts since its debut on Disney+ back in 2019.

Of course, as Christians, we have our own father/son story in the form of God the Father and God the Son. While the Father and Jesus have a good working dynamic, it’s fair to say that the Mandalorian and Grogu have a less balanced dynamic. The Mandalorian does most of the work and Grogu is along for the ride. However, Grogu does have healing powers and a deeper connection to the Force, so is perhaps more like Jesus than at first glance (I realise that this is slightly heretical and want to make it clear this is a joke!).

There is hope that our children may surpass us; that they may step out of our shadows and be their own person

Another father/son dynamic that is explored in the movie is between Jabba the Hutt and Rotta the Hutt. Jabba was a crime lord, seeking power and control over Tatooine. Rotta, however, wants to be something else. Rotta wants to escape the rather large shadow of his father and be his own man/slug.

There is hope that our children may surpass us; that they may step out of our shadows and be their own person with their own dreams and shake up the systems of all. How can we encourage them and let go of our own expectations?

There’s a beautiful moment where Mando reflects ‘The old look after the young. The young look after the old. This is the way.’ It’s another reminder of what it means for us to be Church and to be family. As much as we care for our young, they care for us too. They have as much wisdom to share as the eldest member of our church families and are as caring as anyone else.

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Rotta’s character arc reminded me of the story of Jonathon and David. Jonathon doesn’t want to be part of his father’s regime, King Saul, and renounces his claim to the throne in order for David to eventually reign. In the same way, Rotta renounces his claim to the throne of Jabba and wishes to support the New Republic instead.

King Saul, King David and Rotta the Hutt learn the hard way that fame comes with a cost. Even if you manage to win over the crowds, and even when they cheer your name and throw you flowers, there comes a time where people turn on you and wish for your downfall. People are fickle.

It’s a bit like a major franchise where the very people who loved the movies have decided that only their version of the movies are valid and turn on said franchise, review bombing and making toxic YouTube videos blowing the smallest thing out of proportion, in order to try and bring down the franchise…