The Mandalorian is the latest Star Wars entertainment that was just released as an 8-episode TV series on Disney+, a new streaming service from Disney that will end all streaming service. As I write this review, only 2 episodes have been aired, but what a fantastic 2 episodes they were.
While I’ve lamented the state of the recent Star Wars movies that have plagued modern cinemas, a new live-action Star Wars TV series could hardly rekindle the excitement that I used to have for all things Star Wars, and then I hear that it will be written by Jon Favreau (Ironman). Disney seemed to have wisened up about letting inexperienced indie directors write for Star Wars.
So I took the plunge and watched the first 2 episodes back to back and I am so glad to report that it was good.
While the quality of the production and the CGI work was at a cinema-quality, and the story and plot were good enough to be entertaining, The Mandalorian delivered on something that fans have been longing for all these years. With just 2 episodes, The Mandalorian gave us 4 great memorable characters that fans really care about.
The Mandalorian
The main protagonist, the Mandalorian himself, is a bounty hunter that never takes off his helmet but leaves you spell-bound on every move he makes to capture the bounty he pursues.
Like Boba-Fett, he is armed with a disintegration-rifle that conveniently off his enemies with hardly a drop of blood unsuitable for a Disney channel. Part gun-slinging cowboy and part medieval knight trying to hold on to the formal glory of an age gone by, the Mandalorian never revealed his face or his name; And yet many have already decided who to cosplay during next year’s Comicon.
IG-11
IG-11 is a bounty-hunting droid that probably shot more people in one episode than even the Mandalorian in both. Like its predecessor, IG-88, this droid is armed with advanced technology that is feared and wanted by many who value the capabilities of such an effective targeting computer.
While surrounded and running low on ammunition, IG-11 resorted to self-destruct to prevent its core from being stolen and this led to one of the funniest conversations and scene in the series. Which kid wouldn’t want to own an IG-11 action figure just to re-enact that shoot-out scene.
Kuiil
Kuiil is an alien farmer, engineer & animal trainer that the Mandalorian will meet on the planet where one of his bounties is located. Kuiil would offer information on the challenges surrounding the bounty and offer his help and advice while punctuating every sentence with “I have spoken”. It is inevitable that “I have spoken” turned into some kind of internet meme and new star wars phrase to irritate your colleagues and friends with.
“Baby Yoda”
Sure to be a hit in the plush toy department, the star of The Mandalorian is none other than “Baby Yoda” or “Baby Not Yoda” depends on which camp you belong to. Some believe this character is Yoda in clone or reincarnated form, while others think this is the love child of Yoda and Yaddle (that female Yoda-like character on the Jedi Council in Episode One). Some also choose to believe this character is not related to Yoda, but just another member of whatever Yoda’s race is.
No matter what, Star Wars fans are just having a celebration that the new cute alien is neither an Ewok nor a Porg, but an oh-so-cute version of the most beloved Jedi Master in the Star Wars universe. When it comes to winning the hearts of Star Wars fans, it’s really a matter of – do or do not, there is no try…
In conclusion…
The Mandalorian surprised most Star Wars fans with a simple but good storyline, production quality and interesting characters that we don’t mind buying action figures of. While it’s true that most of the charm comes through nostalgia, from the original trilogy and the non-canon expanded universe, the Mandalorian shows that a good Star Wars story need not have a Skywalker, nor a rebellion. All it took, as it turned out, were good memorable characters.
I have spoken.
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