It’s been a while since I did a Fandom Foodie post. I’ll be real with y’all, life has been BUSY. I’ve been stuck in line edit hell since March, but I’m finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Time to break out the hand mixer and do some baking.

I saw The Mandalorian and Grogu over Memorial Day weekend. I was so hyped for this movie because I love the show on Disney+.

Overall, The Mandalorian movie was a fun, lighthearted adventure with great action sequences, yet lacking the depth of the TV series. I enjoyed it, but it was a surface-level enjoyment.

I’ll get into what I liked and disliked about the movie, but first – cookies!

Making the Baby Yoda Blue Cookies

(Yes, I know his name is Grogu, but he’s affectionately called “Baby Yoda” by many.)

The iconic blue cookies first appeared in “Chapter 12: The Siege.” Din Djarin leaves Grogu at a school in Nevarro while he runs a mission. The adorable little creature asks a student for a cookie, but his request is denied. So Grogu uses the Force to take the cookies.

When the cookies popped up again in the movie, I knew I had to make them. It was obvious just from looking at them that they were really macarons. Full disclosure, this is my first attempt at macarons, so most of them weren’t pretty. My biggest regret is not using more food coloring. By the time I realized the almond flour was giving it a green tint, it was too late to mix in more coloring because I was already at the folding stage.

I’d like to make macarons again sometime, but for now, I’ll just munch on these while I talk about the Mandalorian movie.

Strong Structure But Lacking Heart

It did my writer’s heart good to see how strong the structure was in this film. The scriptwriters hit the Blake Snyder story beats like clockwork. Unfortunately, it was a bit too mechanical. I don’t recall one moment where Din Djarin seemed genuinely scared for Grogu’s safety. It lacked the bonding moments of the TV series. I really missed that emotional punch from the father-son relationship Din and Grogu have developed.

There was an attempt at a character arc with Grogu taking a more active role in the fight sequences and coming to Din’s aid at a critical moment. However, it felt incomplete, mostly because we didn’t get the “before” snapshot of Grogu being less proactive. From the first scene of the movie, he was fighting alongside Din. Viewers who are familiar with the TV series will recall a time when Grogu was less proficient in using the Force. However, the movie doesn’t go into that backstory.

A Family-Friendly Adventure

Stylistically, this movie felt like the TV series. It was a great introduction to the characters and world for those who haven’t seen the show. Overall, it felt like the filmmakers were playing it safe. Perhaps that’s a smart move, but you know what they say – if you try to appeal to everyone, you’ll appeal to no one. As an avid fan of the TV series, I wanted more out of the movie.

The Mandalorian and Grogu felt like the kind of film an entire family could enjoy together. I applaud that. In an era of smutty romance and slasher films, it’s refreshing to see an action/adventure movie that’s family-friendly. It honestly felt a bit in the spirit of the Indiana Jones films. Just adventure and fun. We all need that in our lives – that and cookies.