Our Rating: A+

Streaming Platform: Disney+

Release Date: Nov. 12, 2019

 Starring: Pedro Pascal (Mando), Gina Carano (Cara Dune), Carl Weathers (Greef Karga)

Our Rating: A+

“Star Wars” has become a beloved franchise by many all over the world, with its movies capturing the hearts of generations of people for almost 40 years. These beloved movies began to be supplemented by television shows in 2008 with the release of the animated series “Star Wars: The Clone Wars”. Extremely successful, it initially aired on Cartoon Network and is expected to return this year. On the other hand,”Star Wars: Rebels”, while being aired on Disney XD, did not do as well as the former. So, was that the end of the “Star Wars” shows forever? Fortunately, no, and the release of Disney+’s “The Mandalorian” series has seen unparalleled success ripple across the globe.

First off, the show gives a completely new perspective from the constant struggle between dark and light. Its focus is on the Mandalorians, a race of soldiers who have never taken the spotlight in either of the previously released shows. Bringing their race into a new light, this show demonstrates a whole new take on the galaxy far, far away.

Not only allowing these species to step into the spotlight, the directors also took a new spin on how they would produce each scene, truly taking the mantra “actions speak louder than words” to heart. There is a lack of extensive dialogue, allowing the show to remain mostly silent. Conversations that are not to the point are usually not to add humor or depth to characters. There also is not an overwhelming use of exposition, which is extremely refreshing because it does not drown the series out. In doing so, an emphasis is placed on interpreting the Mandalorian’s reasons for his actions.

Another focal point of this show’s success is the emphasis on the Mandalorian’s identity as a bounty hunter, despite various appeals to his morality. Previous “Star Wars” installments have had clear-cut characters that lack personal conflict. However, the Mandalorian’s actions are extremely contradicting. He is, and will always be, a bounty hunter. The series does not stray from this fact, depicting him as a seemingly good man who assumes responsibility only when offered something in return. Despite this, he does do things that keep him slightly on his moral compass, such as keeping The Child, or Baby Yoda, for safety.

Plot aside, the show itself is overflowing with action and suspense that drives a rather monotone story forward. The fight scenes are surely the highlight of a rather slow string of episodes that, while rich in detail, can oftentimes be a bore. Without the use of the signature “Star Wars weapon, the lightsaber, “The Mandalorian” creates action sequences that are loud and attention-grabbing with a focus on gritty, fist-to-fist combat, rather the standard template of a swarm of troopers fighting with technologically advanced gadgets.

While the second season of this remarkable show is set to release in Fall 2020, season one of “The Mandalorian” is a hit on all fronts, with a finale that has already left fans on the edge of their seats. A fresh and brilliant work of cinematography, it has restored a once fragmented fanbase into one of unity and unanimous approval, leaving “Star Wars” fans desperate for more.