I am not a Star Wars fan. I like the original trilogy well enough, I find the new movies to be decent romps, and I haven't seen those other Star Wars movies. I really liked Rogue One and found Solo to be fun. I don't really know any mythology of the Star Wars Universe, I think the Empire are actually the good guys, and I maintain that Shadows of the Empire on the Nintendo 64 is a good game.

There. I said it.

Now that that is out the way, I love love love The Mandalorian.

But so does everyone else. So, why does that matter?

So glad you asked.

The Mandalorian series on Disney Plus is Pulpy-af. It is. And I understand that the original trilogy has many of the same influences, but they don't shine at the forefront like they do here.

The titular character is basically Clint Eastwood in Space. The opening scene of the first episode is straight out of Segio Leone. The music as well harkens to the overt wild west feel of the setting and characters, but maintains an almost eerie sci fi tone. There are quick draws and shootouts in the desert, there is a whole horse taming schtick that is funny and fits right in. Even the use of Gatling Guns as the "BFGs" is straight out of Red Dead Redemption.

My favorite part of this whole thing is that you could take the whole plot, all the characters and everything, and drop it into a Western tale with minimal changes.

This is also what I don't like about Star Wars as a whole. The original trilogy is a fantasy. It's Lord of the Rings in Space. Exchange aliens for elves and gnomes, and bam. You got fantasy.

Deal with it.

But I feel like with The Madalorian, the creator (Iron Man's John Favreau), and the various directors know what they are working with and use the aesthetic unabashedly and to it's fullest potential.

The series also doesnt pull any punches when it comes to action. There are explosions, lasers, vibrating knives, and you can't tell me the Forge Master wasn't in some part inspired by 1982's Conan the Barbarian. We don't get a lot of that in shows nowadays, as they seemingly conserve their budget by leaning on drama.

I get it.

I do.

Big battles and action set pieces are pricey. That's why Game of Thrones has like one a season (7/10 needs more stabbing).

Of course with the juggernaut that is Disney, they don't pull any punches and the show is so much better for it.

The plot is driven forward by the action, which I like, but the characters are all also interesting and unique. In what is probably the most genius move in all of modern day marketing, the sheer cuteness if Baby Yoda keeps you glued to the screen. This strange little baby gremlin also offers up a huge and intriguing mystery that keeps you invested.

Disney +, you have have my money.

And everyone else's.

You bastards.

#starwars #babyyoda #disneyplus #mandalorian