--- title: "The Mandalorian: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/tv/the-mandalorian/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/tv/the-mandalorian" critics_score: 66 critics_reviews: 7 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # The Mandalorian (2019): what the critics said Critics' score 66 from 7 reviews: 5 positive, 1 mixed, 1 negative. Most critics respond positively to The Mandalorian’s opening adventures, praising the brisk western-style storytelling and its balance of familiar Star Wars details with a fresh setting. The action direction, episodic approach and world-building attract particular approval, especially the attention to Mandalorian culture and the guild system. Ludwig Göransson’s music also earns praise, while Collider singles out Pedro Pascal’s performance for finding charisma beneath the armour. The spread is nevertheless wide, with disagreement centring on how much character and substance accompany the craft. Some reviews find the masked lead intriguing or engaging; others see a figure who remains difficult to read. The Guardian is the clearest dissenter, arguing that the western-in-space premise produces little wonder and leaves its protagonist without nuance. The more moderate reservations concern thematic thinness: the reviews suggest that efficient action and enjoyable franchise details do not always provide enough substance, though the episodes under discussion differ. ## The AV Club — Katie Rife Rating B+. 15 November 2019. The episode is a lively, fun adventure-of-the-week with excellent action direction. It highlights the comedic Jawas and the developing guardian relationship between the Mandalorian and the Child. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/jawas-are-still-a-pain-in-the-ass-as-the-mandalorian-pr-1839894576) ## The Times — Ben Hoyle Rating ★★★★☆. 14 November 2019. Star Wars’ first live-action TV series offers a tantalising, low-key start with inventive music and a fresh episodic approach inspired by samurai movies and westerns, despite its high budget. It feels both familiar and novel in the lawless post-Return of the Jedi era. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/the-mandalorian-review-a-tantalising-start-to-the-new-disney-star-wars-series-wm2w9r2rq) ## Vulture Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 12 November 2019. The series premiere delivers high production values and a brisk Western-style story true to the Star Wars franchise. It establishes promise through action and nods to franchise history but leaves the main character as something of a cipher after one episode. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/2019/11/the-mandalorian-star-wars-disney-plus-review.html) ## The Guardian Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 12 November 2019. The pilot episode of Jon Favreau’s Star Wars series aims for a spaghetti western in space but falls short, achieving distinctness without much distinction or wonder in execution. The masked protagonist lacks nuance, and concepts that sound intriguing on paper lose their appeal on screen. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/nov/12/the-mandalorian-review-star-wars-jon-favreau) ## Collider — Dave Trumbore Rating ★★★★. 12 November 2019. The critic praises the strong start to the first live-action Star Wars series, highlighting Pedro Pascal's charismatic performance as the Mandalorian and the rich integration of Star Wars lore and mythology. The score by Ludwig Göransson and the overall world-building are singled out for making the show feel authentic and promising. [Read the review](https://collider.com/the-mandalorian-review/) ## The Ringer — Alison Herman Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 13 November 2019. The critic praises the series for its wise choice of subject and setting, creating a balance of familiar and new elements in the Star Wars universe. She singles out its effective world-building of the Mandalorian culture and guild system for particular praise. [Read the review](https://www.theringer.com/2019/11/13/the-mandalorian/the-mandalorian-review-star-wars-disney-plus-series) ## Den of Geek — Megan Crouse Rating 3/5. 13 December 2019. The episode is technically competent as a straightforward action show but feels thematically empty. It succeeds in delivering Star Wars delights like new droids and a cameo but lacks deeper substance. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/star-wars-the-mandalorian-episode-6-review/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/tv/the-mandalorian.md