Review: The Mandalorian
With the launch of Disney Plus in the UK on March 24, Star Wars fans on this side of the pond will finally be able to watch The Mandalorian, the vastly popular Star Wars spinoff which has been available to watch since November 2019 in the US. In comparison to the erratic and fast-paced final installment of the sequel trilogy, The Mandalorian offers fans a return to the mystery of the original films. Jon Favreau’s eight-part series follows the journey of the mandalorian bounty-hunter Din Djarin as he attempts to make his way in a galaxy striving to find order following the collapse of the evil Empire.
Without revealing too many plot details, the story is initially centred around Din Djarin attempting to fulfill a bounty contract offered to him by an unnamed, high-ranking, ex-Imperial figure referred to as “the Client”, played by the legendary German film director Werner Herzog. What follows is a tale of emotion, action and adventure, heavily reminiscent of the vast and dreamy world presented by George Lucas at the inception of this massive franchise. We follow the bounty hunter from world to world, with each episode offering a tale of its own as well as maintaining the suspense and intrigue of the overarching threat of “the Client” and his demands.
Favreau and his team, free from the immense pressure placed on the shoulders of J.J. Abrams and Rian Johnson, have been able to take the emphasis away from fan-service, and instead reinstate the authority of the writer. With this comes the ability to tap into the lore of the Star Wars universe that has been established around the films. The myriad novels, comic books, TV series that are available to fans have long been revered for the work they do in filling in the gaps left by the films, as well as providing answers that fans yearn to know. The Mandalorian joins its predecessors in succeeding in such impressive world-building, providing a glimpse into a rarely seen part of the Star Wars timeline, as well as paying close attention to the fan-favourite race: the Mandalorians (made famous by both Jango and Boba Fett). Suring up such a first-class choice of main character and setting, is both a fantastic script and beautiful cinematography. Featuring acclaimed writers such as franchise-favourite Dave Filoni (Avatar: The Last Airbender, Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels), as well directorial work from Taiki Waititi (What We Do in the Shadows and Jojo Rabbit), the show is able to blend humour with the more serious themes of impending doom, genocide and the aftermath of the collapse of an evil galatic dictatorship. One can expect the very real jeopardy of hand to hand combat to the death alongside the bumbling inaccuracy of the existentially-redundant stormtroopers.
The vision of the project must be commended. To take on a project within such a well-known and beloved franchise, at a time when so many fans are unhappy with what is happening with the latest trilogy, and create an original story, requires immense bravery and care. However, Favreau’s deft understanding of the franchise, coupled with a return to a traditional Star Wars writing-style cement The Mandalorian as being worthy of taking a place in the extended Star Wars universe. If you have the patience to wait until the 24th of March for the UK release of Disney’s streaming service then by all means find something else to occupy you in the meantime. If you can’t wait, then I’m sure you’ll find a surreptitious method by which to enjoy the show.
Written by Harry Robertshaw
Harry is a 23 year old MA student from Bristol with a great personality.