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

A recent early look at The Mandalorian and Grogu has sparked a wave of criticism online after one journalist shared a very negative reaction to the first 15 minutes of the film.

According to Polygon journalist Jake Kleinman, Disney invited a small group of reporters to watch an early IMAX preview of the upcoming Star Wars movie at IMAX headquarters in Los Angeles. The event was meant to give a controlled first impression of the film, which is set to be the first Star Wars theatrical release since 2019.

The movie follows Din Djarin and Grogu after the events of Return of the Jedi, as the New Republic tries to rebuild and leftover Imperial forces still cause trouble. In the opening sequence described by Kleinman, Mando is sent on a mission that involves chasing a crime boss, battling through snowy terrain, and destroying several walkers before the target escapes. He then returns to a New Republic base where he is criticized for his methods but quickly assigned another mission involving the Hutts and a rescue operation tied to a former Imperial officer.

Even with all that action, Kleinman says the footage did not feel cinematic. He criticized the visual style and framing, saying it looked more like a streaming production than a big-screen movie. He described it as feeling too flat and close, comparing parts of it to “Zoom-style Netflix visuals,” which he felt weakened the impact of a theatrical Star Wars release.

In his reaction, he wrote, “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 pointed out that strong openings are a key part of Star Wars history, referencing films like A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, and Revenge of the Sith. In his view, this new opening does not leave the same impression.

Kleinman added, “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 spread online as fans debate whether the move from Disney+ series to full theatrical film can really work for this story. Disney has not responded to the criticism, and the full movie is still set for release as planned.

For now, this early impression is only based on a short preview, but it has clearly raised concerns among some viewers about how the film will translate to the big screen.

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