I Watched The First 18 Minutes Of The Mandalorian & Grogu: Here’s What Star Wars Gets Right

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At the CinemaCon event in Las Vegas last week, attendees got a sneak peek at the first 18 minutes of The Mandalorian and Grogu, the new Star Wars film. Director and co-writer Jon Favreau presented the footage and expressed his anticipation for audience reactions.

It’s natural to feel both excited and a little anxious about the new movie’s release. For the past five years, Star Wars has mostly been available on Disney+, so fans have been waiting a long time to see it back in theaters. This puts a lot of pressure on The Mandalorian and Grogu to deliver, as it’s carrying both high expectations and a lot of enthusiasm.

The film opens with an exciting scene of Din Djarin and Grogu battling an Imperial leader on the icy planet Hoth. It’s a strong start, featuring some new elements for the Star Wars universe and promising good things to come. Following the action on Hoth, Din and Grogu journey to a New Republic base where they meet Sigourney Weaver’s character and receive their next mission.

The first 18 minutes of the film are really strong, with a lot of warmth and genuinely fun action. It often feels like an adventure movie, reminiscent of Indiana Jones. The action sequences are particularly well-done and feel best suited for a big screen experience. This is a clear step up from similar moments in The Mandalorian on Disney+, which should excite fans about what The Mandalorian and Grogu can achieve compared to the original series.

The Atmosphere Is Perfect

One of the strongest parts of the first 18 minutes of The Mandalorian & Grogu is its atmosphere. It successfully captures the feel of the original show – a mysterious bounty hunter taking on Imperial targets with his adopted son – but elevates it with a more expansive, cinematic quality. The presence of the Empire also increases the sense of danger and importance.

Din Djarin and Grogu have arrived on the icy planet Hoth, just as many fans predicted. They’re there to stop an Imperial warlord who’s been exploiting the local population by demanding payment in exchange for safety. The warlord believes the Empire will rise again, and he demonstrates his cruelty by shooting a protesting local – a stark reminder of the Empire’s evil. This act adds to the already chilling atmosphere, fitting for the cold, snow-covered world of Hoth.

Djarin and Grogu offer a heartwarming contrast, stepping in to resolve the conflict and feel like a classic Star Wars rescue. The return to the New Republic base also captures that familiar Star Wars feeling, suggesting good things to come. The film is simply fun, adventurous, and completely draws you into the story – all essential elements for a great Star Wars experience.

The Film’s Opening Looks Like A Star Wars Film

One of the biggest strengths of the first 18 minutes is how good it looks. Previous Disney+ Star Wars shows like Obi-Wan Kenobi, Ahsoka, and The Book of Boba Fett were often criticized for their visuals. This put a lot of pressure on The Mandalorian and Grogu to not only feel like a Star Wars movie, but also to look like one.

Starting the movie on a familiar planet like Hoth creates extra expectations, because viewers already have a specific idea of what it should look and feel like. However, the filmmakers did a fantastic job visually, capturing the impressive scale of Hoth’s snowy landscapes. The lighting also plays a key role, particularly in scenes within the Imperial warlord’s office, which effectively conveys the Empire’s cold and ruthless nature.

The scenes at the New Republic base are beautifully filmed. When Din Djarin, Grogu, and Zeb arrive on the planet, the setting sun casts an orange light over everything, creating a striking visual. It’s a subtle touch, but the quality of the filming is noticeably better than what we’ve seen in the Disney+ series, which is a promising sign for the upcoming movie.

The Action Is Worthy Of The Big Screen

The movie’s opening sequence, shown at CinemaCon, was particularly impressive. The scene on the ice planet Hoth is almost entirely action, broken up by conversations with the villain. Many viewers felt it featured some of the most exciting moments in all of the Star Wars films. For instance, before we clearly see the main character, Din Djarin, we see him silhouetted, fighting Imperial soldiers in a narrow space – a scene reminiscent of Batman taking on enemies in the dark.

One of the most exciting scenes in the movie is a single, unbroken shot that does something new for the franchise: it shows the inside of an AT-AT in live action for the first time ever. Not only did the filmmakers build a full-size AT-AT interior, but they created a long, thrilling sequence where Din Djarin battles a large group of Imperial soldiers. He uses his blaster, hand-to-hand combat, and whatever else he can find around him to win the fight.

A fun scene shows Din Djarin and Grogu commandeering an AT-ST and speeding down a hill, dodging blaster fire from larger AT-ATs. They manage to plant a bomb on one of the AT-ATs, which then explodes and falls off a cliff. While this moment was teased in trailers for The Mandalorian and Grogu, it’s even more exciting when you see how it fits into the story.

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2026-04-21 04:19