AceShowbiz - The latest Star Wars installment, The Mandalorian and Grogu, has launched with a notably low Rotten Tomatoes score, marking one of the weakest debuts among the Disney-era Star Wars movies. This film features the iconic duo Din Djarin, portrayed by Pedro Pascal along with stunt doubles Brendan Wayne and Lateef Crowder, and the beloved character Grogu, embarking on a new mission tied to the New Republic's struggle against the Imperial Remnant.

In the film, the characters receive a mission from Colonel Ward, played by Sigourney Weaver, which involves dealing with Rotta the Hutt, son of Jabba the Hutt, voiced by Jeremy Allen White. The story continues the adventures of the franchise’s most popular characters but has so far only garnered a 64% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 66 critic reviews. This percentage places it near the bottom among Star Wars theatrical releases since Disney acquired the franchise.

For comparison, other Star Wars films under Disney’s stewardship have received much higher critical acclaim. For instance, The Force Awakens leads with a 93% score, followed by The Last Jedi at 91%, and Rogue One at 84%. Even Solo: A Star Wars Story, which had a mixed reception, scored 69%, slightly above the new film. The only Disney-era Star Wars film with a lower score than The Mandalorian and Grogu is The Rise of Skywalker, which holds a 51% rating.

When looking at pre-Disney Star Wars movies, The Mandalorian and Grogu fares worse than classics from the original trilogy and Revenge of the Sith, but still surpasses the likes of Attack of the Clones (62%), The Phantom Menace (54%), and the animated feature The Clone Wars (18%). Below is a detailed list of the Tomatometer scores for all 13 canon Star Wars movies:

Critical reception to The Mandalorian and Grogu has been mixed but leans slightly positive in some quarters. Liz Declan of ScreenRant awarded the film seven out of ten stars, noting that fans looking for a "fun, lighthearted film" starring some of the franchise's most beloved new characters will find plenty to enjoy. She especially praised the action sequences as a standout element of Jon Favreau’s direction, emphasizing that these moments are where the film truly shines.

However, the film’s connection to the Disney+ series The Mandalorian has raised questions about whether it transcends feeling like an extended television episode. Jake Kleinman of Polygon described the movie as a "self-contained story" that manages to feel like a significant cinematic release but falls short of embodying the full spirit of a Star Wars movie beyond its branding.

Fans of the series may find satisfaction in the film’s continuation of Din Djarin and Grogu’s story, as GamesRadar+’s Fay Watson advises. She suggests that viewers content to spend time with these characters will enjoy the film, but it offers little in terms of groundbreaking developments or franchise evolution. Watson remarked that while the film is not problematic in itself, it is not the "Star Wars cinematic rebirth" that Lucasfilm might have hoped for.

Among the positive reviews, it’s important to note that these assessments are considered "Fresh" on Rotten Tomatoes, indicating generally favorable opinions. On the other hand, several critics have been less impressed. Jeremy Mathai of SlashFilm criticized the movie for failing to deliver a meaningful or engaging story, calling it "dull" and "mundane" in contrast to the thrilling adventures expected from the franchise.

Similarly, Bilge Ebiri of Vulture was unimpressed by what he saw as lifeless performances and formulaic action scenes, feeling that the film struggles to capture the inventive energy characteristic of superior Star Wars movies. Digital Spy’s Ian Sandwell went further by suggesting that The Mandalorian and Grogu might be the most inconsequential Star Wars film yet, a label he implies is even worse than being the worst in quality.

Overall, the debut of The Mandalorian and Grogu presents a mixed picture for Star Wars fans and critics alike. While it brings beloved characters back to the big screen and offers engaging action sequences, it currently ranks among the lowest-rated Star Wars films in the Disney era. As more reviews come in, the Rotten Tomatoes score may change, but initial responses indicate the film has yet to achieve the critical acclaim of its recent predecessors.