If you ever loved anything about Star Wars, know this: The Mandalorian is the best thing to happen to the franchise since the 1980s. It’s not change-your-life in epic magnitude, but it manages to do what it does almost without any wrong notes.
Speaking of which, even the theme music is brilliant. It manages to be 100% Star Wars and also 34% western. (Don’t ask me how they pack 134% into it, but they do.)
Pedro Pascal is perfect. They say 90% of directing is casting and it may be true here. His voice is that of a peaceful monk/warrior, gentle but focused. Somehow the muffled, radio static effect that his ever-present helmet provides only enhances this quality.
Plus you get Carl Weathers, Werner Herzog, Amy Sedaris, Mark Boone, Jr., Nick Nolte, John Leguizamo, and so many more. Guys, there’s even Giancarlo Esposito as the big bad guy. (Gus! It’s Gustavo Fring from Breaking Bad! Brilliant bit of casting, that.)
Not every episode succeeds. But most of them do. In case you’ve been living under a rock, the show is basically like an old serial western where our lone gunslinger goes from town to town, each with its own unique problem that he must solve for the inhabitants by the time the credits roll. There is also an overarching story that spans both seasons.
Also, you might expect that any use of puppetry would end up being trite and hokey. It isn’t. They manage to make many of the scenes between Pascal and his puppet co-star some of the most poignant ones in the entire show. Somehow they get the emotionality of the little guy just right. This I guarantee: The season two finale will give you feelings. Many. Feelings.
If you don’t have Disney+, get it. Get the free trial and binge. Cancel after if you like. Just don’t miss The Mandalorian.
I have spoken.