Star Wars’ First Movie in 7 Years Called “One of the Weakest” in Divided First Reactions

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Okay, so Star Wars is back in cinemas, and honestly, the reaction has been…mixed, to say the least. I caught the first screenings on Thursday, and people are really split. While some are enjoying it, a lot are calling this one of the weakest entries in the entire saga. It’s not the triumphant return a lot of fans were hoping for, that’s for sure.

This story isn’t connected to the Skywalker saga like that other film. Instead, it draws inspiration from the Disney+ series The Mandalorian. This approach may not have been the best choice.

What Are People Saying About The Mandalorian and Grogu?

Not everyone loved the show, though. Entertainment reporter Jonathan Sim was highly critical, calling The Mandalorian and Grogu “one of the weakest Star Wars installments.” He described it as a predictable and emotionally flat experience that didn’t develop the main character, Din Djarin, in any meaningful way. He also criticized the action sequences as boring and relying too heavily on computer-generated imagery, comparing it to simply mashing action figures together – essentially a long, bland TV movie.

Collider’s Peri Nemiroff recently expressed her strong affection for the character Grogu. She described him as ‘irresistibly cute’ and praised the work that went into bringing him to life, admitting she ‘cannot get enough’ of him – and also gave a shout-out to the Anzellan droidsmiths who likely helped create him.

Rotta the Hutt wasn’t quite as successful. Creating realistic Hutts for live-action is difficult, and a Hutt gladiator presented an even bigger challenge. Plus, Rotta’s lines were sometimes too obvious. While I did start to like him, his role and motivations could have been presented in a more interesting way.

The Mandalorian and Grogu’s Score May Be Its Best Feature

As a huge fan, I gotta say, everyone’s been raving about the music in The Mandalorian and Grogu. It’s clear the composers really nailed it again – the score is fantastic!

Ludwig Göransson is the standout artist for me when it comes to ‘The Mandalorian’ and Grogu,” says Nemiroff. “With three Oscars under his belt, it’s no surprise he’s a huge asset to any project. I’m still captivated by the main theme, and I was consistently energized by how Göransson wove it throughout the show. The music for the Shakari scenes was particularly exciting and impactful.”

Germain Lussier from io9 had a similar reaction, describing the movie as feeling like an extended episode of the show. He noted it had a few great scenes but focused more on expanding the story’s world with new creatures and locations than on character development. While he enjoyed parts of it, he ultimately felt frustrated. However, he was particularly impressed with Ludwig Göransson’s score, calling it exceptional. He described the music as having an electronic, almost ‘Tron Legacy Light’ feel, a departure from typical Star Wars scores, and highlighted it as the best part of the film.

The Mandalorian and Grogu opens in theaters on May 22.

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2026-05-15 20:10