The Mandalorian premiere review: A solid and nostalgic start to the series
The Mandalorian kicked off yesterday with a series premiere that was both unique and reminiscent of all the Star Wars installments that have come before.
After months of hyping up Disney Plus, Disney finally dropped its new streaming service yesterday — and with it, the first episode of the highly anticipated Star Wars series, The Mandalorian. Helmed by Jon Favreau, the series has been marketed as a first for the franchise in multiple ways. For one, it’s the first long-form series that’s been set in George Lucas’ science-fiction world. It’s also the first Star Wars story that focuses on ordinary people residing in the galaxy, as opposed to the “chosen” Skywalker family the movies have primarily revolved around.
And following the first episode, it’s safe to say that The Mandalorian certainly does have a unique feel to it. Pedro Pascal’s lead character brings a new perspective to the science-fiction setting we know and love, and the emphasis on the underbelly of the galaxy is a great touch for those who love following morally grey characters.
But while The Mandalorian undoubtedly stands on its own, it does rely a bit on the nostalgia of the previous installments when immersing viewers in this world. Fans will easily pick up on the parallels between the premiere and the films — from Mando’s callback to Han Solo’s “never tell me the odds” to the supporting characters, some of whom are very reminiscent of the original trilogy.
All in all, the first episode is exactly what you’d expect from a premiere: It spends the majority of its runtime building upon the narrative and characters, then delivers a gut punch at the end — one that’s destined to draw viewers back for episode two. When Mando finally finds the “asset” he’s meant to bring back to Werner Herzog’s character — who currently remains unnamed, by the way — it turns out the 50-year-old individual with a bounty on his head is actually a baby… whatever species Yoda is.
Naturally, the emergence of a child similar to Yoda has fans excited about the future of the show and the franchise. There are so many questions to answer — including whether or not this creature has any relation to the former Jedi Master — that it’s impossible not to tune in and learn more. (Also, let’s be honest: We really want another glance at that adorable baby!)
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