Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu and What’s Making Us Happy

The Mandalorian Movie: What to Expect

The episode opens with a brief ad for NPR's Planet Money, then transitions into a discussion of *Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu*, the theatrical release based on the Disney+ series. The hosts set the stage by summarizing the plot: Mando and Grogu are hired to rescue Jabba the Hutt’s son, Ratta, voiced by Jeremy Allen White.

Is This the Way? The Film’s Strengths and Weaknesses

Jordan Morris praises the film for feeling like a long-form TV episode—free from the burden of setting up future franchises or reviving legacy characters. He appreciates the focus on fun, action, and practical effects, but notes it feels like 'empty calories' with little narrative depth.

The Disappointment of Predictability

Chris Klimek argues the film lacks 'specialness' and 'struggle,' feeling more like a factory product than a creative work. He criticizes the uninspired direction, lack of emotional stakes, and the sense that even Pedro Pascal was just 'recording lines on the way to another movie.'

The Problem with the Hutt and the Lack of Practical Effects

The hosts express disappointment that the Hutt character is fully CGI and voiced in English, breaking immersion. They lament the absence of a practical puppet Hutt, contrasting it with Jabba’s iconic design. They also critique the film’s disregard for physics in action sequences.