‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’ First Footage Criticized as “Netflix Show” in Early Reactions

A recent early glimpse of The Mandalorian and Grogu has ignited a wave of criticism online after a journalist shared a notably negative reaction to the film’s initial 15 minutes.

According to Polygon journalist Jake Kleinman, Disney hosted a select group of reporters for an early IMAX preview of the upcoming Star Wars film at IMAX headquarters in Los Angeles. This event aimed to provide a controlled first impression of the movie, which marks the first Star Wars theatrical release since 2019.

The plot follows Din Djarin and Grogu in the aftermath of Return of the Jedi, as the New Republic attempts to rebuild while remnants of Imperial forces continue to pose threats. In the opening sequence described by Kleinman, Mando embarks on a mission that includes pursuing a crime boss, navigating snowy landscapes, and taking down several walkers before the target manages to escape. He subsequently returns to a New Republic base, where his methods are criticized, but he is quickly assigned another mission involving the Hutts and a rescue operation linked to a former Imperial officer.

Despite the action-packed scenes, Kleinman remarked that the footage lacked a cinematic feel. He criticized the visual style and framing, suggesting it resembled a streaming production rather than a theatrical release. He described the visuals as feeling too flat and close, likening parts of it to “Zoom-style Netflix visuals,” which he believed diminished the impact expected from a theatrical Star Wars film.

In his reaction, he stated, “That’s mildly annoying when you’re watching a mid-budget TV series on Disney Plus. For the first theatrical Star Wars movie in seven years, it’s downright unforgivable.”

He also highlighted that impactful openings are a crucial aspect of Star Wars history, referencing films like A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, and Revenge of the Sith. In his opinion, this new opening fails to leave a similar impression.

Kleinman concluded, “Hopefully, I’m wrong. Star Wars really needs a win, but I’m still not convinced The Mandalorian and Grogu is it […] nothing in this first 15 minutes makes me feel optimistic about the remaining two hours I still haven’t seen.”

The reaction has circulated online as fans discuss whether transitioning from a Disney+ series to a full theatrical film can effectively work for this narrative. Disney has yet to respond to the criticism, and the full movie remains scheduled for release as planned.

For now, this early impression is based solely on a brief preview, but it has undeniably raised concerns among some viewers regarding how the film will adapt to the big screen.

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