The Mandalorian & Grogu first reactions are in following last night’s premiere, and while plenty of early viewers are calling it a fun return to Star Wars on the big screen, several reactions are raising red flags.
Early reactions are usually filled with over-the-top praise, especially after a fan-heavy premiere. That makes some of the negative comments stand out. A few critics and early viewers are calling the movie “dull,” “a snooze fest,” and even “one of the weakest Star Wars movies.”
The movie opens with early Thursday previews before going wide Friday, May 22, bringing Din Djarin and Grogu from Disney+ to theaters.
Update: Rotten Tomatoes reviews are hovering on rotten.
First reactions aren’t all glowing
One reaction called The Mandalorian & Grogu “one of the weakest Star Wars movies,” describing it as an “emotionless, predictable experience” that does not push Din Djarin anywhere interesting.
The same reaction criticized the action, saying the fights are dull and rely too much on CGI monsters, comparing the movie to “action figures mashed together” and calling it a “long, colorless made-for-TV movie.”
A second reaction was more mixed, saying the film is “as expected” and plays like a longer, bigger episode of the show. The viewer said it has one or two standout scenes but seems more interested in new locations and creatures than in developing the characters.
A third reaction called the movie “fine,” but added that it is an “inoffensive, technically impressive spectacle” and “kinda a snooze fest.” The same viewer said the film is structured like an abridged season of the Disney+ series and plays more like watching Star Wars video game cutscenes than a full theatrical movie.
The biggest criticism: It feels like TV
The common thread in the negative and mixed reactions is clear: The Mandalorian & Grogu may not feel like a major Star Wars movie.
Instead, several early viewers say it feels like a supersized episode of The Mandalorian. That has been a concern since the project shifted from what was expected to be another season of the Disney+ series into a theatrical release.
The issue is not that the movie continues the show. The issue is whether the story is big enough, emotional enough, and cinematic enough to justify a theatrical Star Wars return.
Based on the more critical reactions, the movie may deliver new creatures, new locations, and big-screen spectacle, but it might not do much for Din Djarin as a character.
Still, fans of the show may have fun
The reactions are not all bad.
The positive spin is that The Mandalorian & Grogu appears to deliver what many fans want: a simple, pulpy Star Wars adventure with action, humor, creatures, and Grogu moments.
Some reactions say the movie is fun, charming, and a crowd-pleaser. Others praised it as a return to the pulpiness and simplicity of the first two seasons of The Mandalorian.
Ludwig Göransson’s score gets praise
One area where the reactions seem more united is Ludwig Göransson’s music.
The score is getting strong praise, with early viewers saying Göransson delivers again. His work on The Mandalorian has been one of the most recognizable parts of the series, and it sounds like the movie gives him room to go bigger.
The movie is also being praised for its technical side, including the scale, effects, creature work, and big-screen presentation.
Grogu likely saves the day again
Grogu also seems to remain a major draw.
Even some of the mixed reactions suggest that the movie works best when it leans into the charm of Grogu, Din Djarin, and the lighter adventure tone that made the early seasons a hit.
Early buzz points to a divided reaction
Right now, the first reactions suggest The Mandalorian & Grogu may split audiences.
Fans of the Disney+ series will probably enjoy seeing Din and Grogu on the big screen. Viewers burned out on the show’s side-quest format may see the movie as more of the same.
The worrisome part is that early reactions are normally very positive. So when words like “dull,” “snooze fest,” and “weakest Star Wars movies” show up this early, it suggests Disney and Lucasfilm may not have a slam dunk on their hands.
