TV REVIEW: THE MANDALORIAN - Season 3

4/5

The Last Of Us. 

8 Episodes. Starring: Pedro Pascal, Katee Sackhoff, Mercedes Varnado, Simon Kassianides, Tait Fletcher, Katy M. O'Brian, Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, Emily Swallow, Carl Weathers & Grogu. Creator: Jon Favreau. 

This is the way back. For Mandalore. Helmets on. Many 'Solo' Star Wars projects haven't been what critics are looking for, but tell that to 'Andor'. The galaxy far, far away's most accomplished and acclaimed series yet. Deep, diverse and definitive. Now hot on its Disney +, Mickey Mouse shoe heels and all the Marvel to come ('Secret Invasion' is coming like 'The Winter Soldier') comes Lucasfilm's hottest property. 'The Mandalorian' Season 3. Or is it almost four? We would like to call it 'The Mandalorian and The Child' like when The Falcon changed to 'Captain America and The Winter Soldier' for your Western wonder and this quick draw McGraw. 

'Iron Man' chef Jon Favreau really cooked up another classic with this creation. The influence is all around the world as the catchphrase "this is the way" has become the new, "I could do this all day". And they really could, captain my captain. The little Grogu became the best, most Christmas list wished present since the 'Toy Story' of the Lightyear buzz when the first season dropped...and it wasn't even available in half the territories who had him under their tree. He didn't even have a name back then, but we're still sticking with Baby Yoda. There's even a Los Angeles Laker Dennis Rodman like player nicknamed The Vandolorian (defensive stopper Jarred Vanderbilt). Mando is so popular he even hijacked the original Mandalorian's show ('The Book Of Boba Fett') and made it his chrome dome own. 

So what if that heartbreaking Season 2 finale with Mark Hamill looking more like Bucky Barnes than Like Skywalker in CGI is now changed like a force swipe? This is just the way. And it gets us more time with the little one, even if 'The Mandalorian' may want to switch it up a bit going forth. We still can't deny the cuteness overload of this overlord though like a 'Zen-Grogu and Dust Bunnies' beautiful Studio Ghibli crossover animated short. You know what to expect with Favreau's favourite now like the closing credits of classic concept art for your gallery. 

Amazing action. Hilarity and heart not diluting the art. Classic cameos we simply can't spoil (although we have one couple that rocks like flutes in schools, great Scott) like justice for one and the only big bad you need in this blockbuster series that deserves to be on the big-screen like a Netflix 'Luther' or 'Peaky Blinders' (hey that's how Disney and these war of the stars began). Not to mention, epic episodes directed by big names and familiar family members. From Bryce Dallas Howard's best in show, to the creed of Carl Weathers still bringing that 'Predator' Schwarzenegger muscle shake and even more royal regalia (check what's holding up the back of this emperor's new clothes). 

Moving like a Marvel machine with good-looking droids and side quests to boost, the Star Wars spin-offs have more levels on the board than 'Dungeons and Dragons'. Easter Egg paying beautiful homage like a hallmark to H.G. Wells (from 'The War Of The Worlds' to 'The Time Machine') and 'Blade Runner' like '2049' did in classic cyberpunk cities we scoped and scaped with 'Obi-Wan Kenobi'. All on the search for a pit like Lazarus. The kind of pool you might Bruce Wayne taking a dip in. Keaton, Affleck, or Pattinson. Hey, maybe even Clooney. Sure, Beskar may sound more like a car dealership in the North West, but the latest series of 'The Mandalorian' opens up a whole new world for the Disney property. White gloved thumbs up and plus-sized. 

'Ahsoka' looks amazing for this awakening force, but right now the jetpack is still taking off like a Razor Crest. Torching everything in sight. It's a blast, and it's clear 'Narcos' and 'Game Of Thrones' star Pedro Pascal is having the Swayze of his life with this and his game adaptation of 'The Last Of Us', which even against this may be the biggest and best season of this calendar of couch potato art. But like hiding under his hood for redemption, it's not all about him like his villain in 'Wonder Woman 1984'. On his own he is good, but together it could be better. And we now have a whole crew of Mandalorian's base jumping into action with Din Djarin, AKA Mando. 'Battlestar Galactica' and 'Riddick' star Katee Sackhoff steals the show like Mando did from Boba. Showing she could run her own. More than making up for the haywire loss of Gina Carano, this is as much her show as it is the Bounty Hunter. Sackhoff is tougher than the rest, walking in both worlds. 

Even if their faces are shielded in this post-masked up time we have plenty of Mandalorians all giving themselves a voice as iconic as their armour. From MMA fighter to maverick 'Top Guns' with two primed to blast. Mercedes Varnado and Simon Kassianides are back with more screen time previewing their own series and these rebels have their own cause in these clone wars in the stars of stunning set-pieces of aerial assault. But it's the gold of Emily Swallow's Armorer in this nest that really puts the hammer down like Cap asked Thor. Whilst Tait Fletcher' big bastard of a Beskar suited soldier as strong as iron will strike you to your core. 

All as some red chess pieces and troopers bringing more death than a serious storm look to take some knights off the board. Mark the spot with Paul Sun-Hyung's do-gooder X-Wing pilot and both Marvel's 'Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D' and 'Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania' star Katy M. O'Brian adding to more sub-stories and this eight wonder still has a ways to go. Through all the worlds of Jim Henson like creature creations for this never ending story. Now would we be happy if all this led the way to the bounty of yet another season of Mando and Grogu? Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Further Filming: 'The Book Of Boba Fett', 'Andor', 'Zen-Grogu and Dust Bunnies'.