Quick Take: ‘The Mandalorian’ Takes Flight on Disney+

Disney+ unveiled a highly anticipated (by many) new series today (for most who could access the service) called The Mandalorian. The latest in Disney’s growing Star Wars universe, the series focuses on a character who looks an awful lot like Boba Fett, the infamous bounty hunter featured only briefly in Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi before falling into the Sarlacc pit.

If you don’t know what a Sarlacc pit is then this show likely isn’t for you.

We don’t learn a lot of detail about the mysterious bounty hunter at the center of the story. Many internet rumors surfaced about his identity – the best of which involved Boba Fett climbing out of the Sarlacc pit and continuing his journey. Maybe that will prove to be the case. Maybe not. But at this point, all we know about the bounty hunter (voiced by Pedro Pascal) is that he’s brutally efficient and loves his job. There are a few side characters (Carl Weathers, Nick Nolte, Taika Waititi are included in the supporting cast), but the focus is mainly on the nameless bounty hunter. And for a while that will do just fine. But to sustain our long term interest, we’re going to need to know more about the bounty hunter. A name will do.

The highlight of the series thus far – which I quite liked – is the astonishing visuals and adherence to the original Star Wars landscape. The cinematography is quite beautiful and could be the major component of the series to go on to Emmy glory in addition to special effects and makeup. But most importantly, The Mandalorian already feels like an integral part of the Star Wars universe. Let’s hope the story keeps in step with the series’ massive visual appeal as it matures.

There is at least one significant surprise toward the end of the very brief pilot episode (it only clocks in at 35 minutes, shockingly enough). It called into question the timeline of the series for me, but I may be overthinking it.  It will definitely give the faithful something to gossip about for days to come. As long as the series maintains the same brevity and relentless pace as evidenced by the pilot, then Disney+ may have one-upped AppleTV+ by having an enormous hit right out of the gate.

Now, forgive me while I watch 90s-era Disney cartoons for the next several days.

The Mandalorian is now streaming on Disney+.  A new episode drops each Friday.