They told me to turn my phone off 15 minutes ago but they're still showing f*cking previews. Sorry, I have no interest in your previews and my phone doesn't go off until the movie starts. The listed showtime was now over a half an hour ago. God, I'm remembering why I hate going to the movie theater so much.
Yup, easily 30 minutes of previews. We were late to our show time and still didn't start for at least 25 minutes.
Ok, my more in depth review: tl; dr: is go see it. It's a movie that's good action/adventure style that reminded me as much of the scifi picks of the week as a STAR WARS film. The inspiration draws from multiple sources, including Blade Runner, and American Swamp stereotypes (I even made a Ft. Polk, Louisiana joke to my wife as we watched.)
***Spoilers Ahead***
The GOOD: The whole vibe of the film is a great adventure as well as a interesting reflection on the role of mentors and mentees. It utilizes the world of STAR WARS to really explore how aging and growing look differently, and how even though Grogu will outlive Din, the influence cannot be denied.
And, Grogu and the Anzellans steal the show. They are inventive, add the right amount of risk, but comedy as well. It's a solid team up that compliments their size, and creativity. The Anzellans are all positive and helpful and positive. Their ship is fantastic in its size and cutesiness.
Din doesn't do as much changes, so much as he endures challenges. But, he still learns from Rotta, as well as develops more relationships within the New Republic. He has an earnest calmness about him, and handles challenges fairly well, until dealing with the Dragon Snake.
Rotta is used thematically very well. Unlike Grogu, who takes his Din's name and joins his clan, Rotta is desperate to live outside his family's shadow. He longs to be his own person, and struggles with the promise of being able to live independently and ends up in poor straits because of it.
Zeb, Ward and the New Republic still feel very spread out, utilizing resources and forging alliances even if they could be utilized against them. The strength of the New Republic is still in its creating loyalty to its contractors, something that is again thematically reflected in the Cold Open as being opposite with the Imperial Remnant.
All the environments are so great, and I really enjoyed Nal Hutta, aside from the bugs (shivers. Didn't enjoy that). Loved getting to see Nevarro again, and the brief N-1 appearance. All the environments were used so well in the story, even with the storms on Nevarro.
Embo was interesting. Not a character I was thrilled to see again, but enjoyable enough, espeically at the end. Loved seeing Carson, Trapper and Zeb all flying with Ward at the end. That whole battle was intensely good.
The BAD: And it's really not bad, so much as things I didn't find as enjoyable. Just things that started to lose my interest.
The creatures: this film loves its creatures. On the one hand, it expands the lore of the world, and how dejarik as a game game about using creatures from galactic bloodsport. But, man there was way too many creatures in the arena, and then the Amani, and the Dragon Snake. It was so blasted much. It was very frustrating to me that the creatures escape to cause havoc and you know the scene has gone on too long when I'm worried about the random civilian casualties than the story progress.
The giant droids were a bitt too video gamey for me. It was one of the few moments were Din seemed rather unaware of Grogu's efforts to assist him.
The Razor Crest's return was just alright, but I could kind of appreciate it, but also not.
ANALYSIS: There are two strong themes of growth, and mutual support that are pretty basic, and nothing groundbreaking but the idea of Din growing more in to the caregiver role, that he is teaching Grogu, and recognizing that despite Grogu's size he can rely upon him more. I think its a good throughline from Season 3, as well as Din's more negotiator way, but still capable of skilled combat. He shows a strong style of chivalry of quarter if necessary, graciousness towards conquered opponents, and ferociousness in combat. He also gets a little bit of follow up on his own history of taking a rock to a super battle droid model, evoking how he was originally found by the Mandalorians.
Grogu's growth is very self-evident, relying on his abilities, rather than what might be expected of someone bigger. He arms himself well, utilizes resources well, builds alliances, and shows a lot of initiative, plus gains new friends. It continues the theme of loyalty, something that Grogu and Din both receive in return for their efforts. Grogu with the Anzellans and Rotta, and Din with Zeb and Ward.
Very enjoyable overall, if a bit overlong in some spots. But, definitely not the feel of an "extended episode" initially assumed.
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