# The Mandalorian (2019) Review: A Western in Beskar > The Mandalorian is Jon Favreau's Star Wars space western, pairing Pedro Pascal's bounty hunter with a mysterious child in a series that revived the franchise on TV. Canonical: https://celluloidscore.com/reviews/the-mandalorian-review/ Published: 2026-07-25 Last updated: 2026-09-24 Author: Kaiser Khan — Founder & Editor Language: English Review basis: direct-viewing Spoilers: none Rating: 4.5/5 ## Verdict Yes. It is the most purely enjoyable Star Wars in decades, ideal for families and franchise fans alike, even if the third season loses some focus. ## Is The Mandalorian worth watching? **Yes. The Mandalorian is Star Wars at its most direct and appealing, a lean space western whose lone gunfighter and small green companion gave the franchise a new heart on television.** The first two seasons are superb adventure storytelling, with episodic missions, gorgeous practical design and a surprisingly touching found-family bond. The reservation is season three, which loses some of that focus in favour of wider franchise lore. ## What is The Mandalorian about? After the fall of the Galactic Empire, lawlessness has spread across the galaxy's outer reaches. A lone Mandalorian bounty hunter ([Pedro Pascal](https://celluloidscore.com/stars/americas/chile/pedro-pascal/)), a member of a secretive warrior culture who never removes his helmet in front of others, makes his living tracking targets for payment. A single job changes the course of his life, putting him in charge of a mysterious child and turning him from hunter into protector. Katee Sackhoff joins in later seasons as a fellow Mandalorian with her own agenda. [The Mandalorian](https://celluloidscore.com/shows/the-mandalorian/) is an American Star Wars series in English, created by Jon Favreau for Disney+. This review covers the complete series: three seasons and 24 episodes released between 2019 and 2023. The story continues beyond the show in the feature film The Mandalorian and Grogu. ## A Western that trusts simplicity Favreau's key insight was to borrow the structure of classic Westerns and samurai films. Each episode tends to follow a clear mission, a new planet, a new problem, a fight and a departure, and that episodic rhythm gives the series a clean, satisfying shape. The dialogue is sparse, the hero is laconic, and the storytelling leans on images and action rather than exposition. The production raised the bar for television effects. Many of the environments were created with large LED screens rather than green screens, giving the actors real light and landscapes to react to, and the result looks tactile and cinematic. Ludwig Göransson's score, with its distinctive recorder-led theme, is one of the best pieces of Star Wars music since the original films. ## Pascal and a puppet build a family The emotional core is the bond between the Mandalorian and the child. The creature, brought to life largely through puppetry, is irresistibly expressive, but the relationship works because the series takes it seriously. Pedro Pascal, acting almost entirely through voice and body language beneath a helmet, conveys a hardened man slowly learning to care for someone other than himself. Guest stars and supporting characters give each season variety, and several franchise favourites appear in ways that delight long-time fans without overwhelming newcomers, at least in the first two seasons. ## Where the third season drifts Season three shifts emphasis from the central pair to the politics of Mandalorian culture, and the episodic adventure structure gives way to a larger, less focused story. Some episodes feel like detours, and the show becomes more dependent on knowledge of the wider Star Wars universe. Viewers should also note that part of the central storyline plays out in episodes of the spin-off The Book of Boba Fett, which season three assumes you have seen. The show remains entertaining, but it is no longer quite as fresh. ## Who should watch The Mandalorian? It is ideal for Star Wars fans, lovers of Westerns and families looking for adventure that works across generations. Three seasons of mostly half-hour to hour-long episodes make it an easy binge. Violence is frequent but bloodless, in keeping with the franchise, and it is generally suitable for older children. If you enjoy it, try these next from the [science fiction](https://celluloidscore.com/genres/sci-fi/) shelf: - [ONE PIECE](https://celluloidscore.com/reviews/one-piece-review/) for another adventure series built on episodic quests and a lovable found family. - [Arcane](https://celluloidscore.com/reviews/arcane-review/) for a franchise adaptation that also found its own distinctive voice. - More on the [Disney+ hub](https://celluloidscore.com/shows/platform/disney/). ## The verdict The Mandalorian is a thrilling, beautifully crafted space western that brought Star Wars back to its roots, with Pedro Pascal and his small green companion forming one of the franchise's great pairings. The third season loses some focus, but the first two are near-perfect adventure television. **Rating: 4.5/5** ## Related title - [The Mandalorian (2019)](https://celluloidscore.com/shows/the-mandalorian/) ## Editorial - [Editorial standards](https://celluloidscore.com/about/editorial-policy/) - [Report a correction](https://celluloidscore.com/about/corrections/)