"The Mandalorian and Grogu: An Entertaining Family Film That Falls Short on Story and Humor"

THE MANDALORIAN AND GROGU

(12A) 132mins 

★★★☆☆

IT’S been seven years since we’ve had a film on the big screen, but the epic franchise is finally back.

This time in the shape of a heavily helmeted bounty hunter and cute, green sidekick, who have some serious battles to fight.

The Mandalorian and Grogu is the first Star Wars film in 7 years Credit: PA The story is based on the successful Disney+ TV series The Mandalorian, which began in 2019 Credit: PA

The story is based on the successful TV series The Mandalorian, which began in 2019.

That show was set in the timeframe just after Star Wars: Episode VI — Return Of The Jedi, where the defeated Empire is plotting a return against the New Republic, and it was the first foray for Star Wars into a live-action TV series.

So now we find its star, , playing the mostly masked Mandalorian (although body-double actors Lateef Crowder and Brendan Wayne play the role in many scenes).

Mando is a badass bounty hunter working full-time as an “independent contractor” for the New Republic, along with cute, green Grogu — a mute Yoda infant with telekinetic powers — on his shoulder.

The pair work together on missions set by Ward (), which mostly involve back-to- basics action adventures of good versus evil.

These begin with confidence, with Mando performing some excellent gun battles and making cowboyish drawls when they’re completed.

He is then tasked with retrieving Rotta the Hutt (voiced by ), son of the feared Jabba and nephew of the Hutt Twins.

While the Twins speak in traditional Huttese, Rotta speaks with a New York accent, making it seem like Allen White couldn’t be bothered to try anything that wasn’t his own voice.

Jeremy Allen White voices Rotta the Hutt, son of the feared Jabba Credit: PA Pedro Pascal stars as the, mostly masked, Mandalorian Credit: PA

Things get messy trying to help Rotta, who doesn’t want to be saved and would prefer to stay fighting for the entertainment of gangsters.

So Mando finds himself in trouble and halfway through the film, Grogu gets his time to shine.

Stepping down as a shoulder accessory, the one formerly known as Baby Yoda takes the lead and tries to save his pal against monsters and mayhem, all while looking as peaceful as a Buddhist monk.

This family-friendly film is entertaining, with plenty for kids to enjoy.

But with little storyline, characterisation and humour, there’s not much to get stuck into.

Which means little for Star Wars superfans to unpick.

FINDING EMILY

(12A) 111mins        

★★★★★

Finding Emily is a warm and wonderful British romcom with a nostalgic element Credit: PA

DESPITE taking place in the present day, this warm and wonderful British romcom has a nostalgic feel – which might be because seeing a decent film of this genre feels like a thing of the past.

Set in , we meet so-awkward-he’s-cool Owen (Spike Fearn), who could easily pass as a Gallagher brother.

He’s an old romantic who falls for a girl called Emily after meeting her in the nightclub he works at.

But amid the booming music, she types the wrong number into his phone.

In a desperate bid to find her, Owen enlists the help of another Emily (Angourie Rice).

She is a psychology student writing a dissertation on the madness of love.

What ensues is some ridiculous – and often hilarious – antics trying to find the original Emily, while actually finding themselves, all against a backdrop of indie bands, student digs, alternative mates, vintage clothes and 2am kebabs.

Produced by romcom geniuses Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner (, Notting Hill, About Time), it has the perfect amount of jeopardy to keep you hooked until the last will-they-won’t-they moment.

CHARLIE THE WONDERDOG

(PG) 92 mins   

★☆☆☆☆

Owen Wilson voices Charlie The Wonderdog Credit: PA

SUPERHEROES make good leads in movies, as do dogs – so why not combine the two?

Well, if this dire animated film is anything to go by, the result is a massive no-no.

It tells the story of Charlie (voiced by a laid-back ), who is welcomed into the family as a puppy.

He immediately bonds with baby Danny and we see the pair grow up together in a montage.

As Charlie gets older and more decrepit, Danny worries about his old friend.

Then one day, an alien spaceship kidnaps the dog and makes him young and very talkative. The same green aliens also steal the next-door neighbour’s cat, who is fat and evil.

Hating on cats certainly seems like a running theme here as they are all the baddies, which just feels lazy.

Charlie then starts flying through the air and saving lives. He also visits the White House, which holds a hateful female President.

Then there is some complicated plot about poisoning a dog food brand.

Sadly, the promising subject matter falls flat and this frustratingly chaotic and tiresome film, written by Steve Ball and Raul Inglis, and directed by Shea Wageman, isn’t worth a doggy bag.