This is the way back for 'THE MANDALORIAN AND GROGU'

This is still the way for a galaxy far, far away.

By TIM DAVID HARVEY

Every year where I live, in Yokohama, Japan, they go all out, like Tokyo a train over, when it comes to celebrating May the 4th (be with you). This year was no cosplay exception, with seemingly everyone about town in some sort of Star Wars costume. But the biggest attraction was a big Baby Yoda, meditating like he did with those 'My Neighbor Totoro' dust bunnies for that sweet Studio Ghibli short.

It may always be Baby Yoda for me, but The Child still takes the biscuit...with the most adorable force. 

Grogu, the cutest thing in cinema since Disney neighbour Marvel's Baby Groot in 'Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol 2.', deserves his name in laser bright light credits, alongside 'The Mandalorian'. After three-seasons of the hit Disney + show, and seven years since the last Star Wars movie ('The Rise Of The Skywalker'), despite many spin offs and shows on the Mickey Mouse streaming service, 'The Mandalorian and Grogu' is now in theatres, looking to out moonwalk 'Michael' and do a deal with 'The Devil Wears Prada 2'. All before 'Supergirl' and the 'Doomsday' of the new 'Avengers' movie takes superhero flight for the rest of the calendar that will surely belong to 'The Odyssey' of Christopher Nolan.

Yet, there's nothing like a big box-office blockbuster on an incredible IMAX screen to get your summer started. As Jon Favreau, who did for The Mandalorian and Star Wars what he did for Iron Man and the M.C.U., is back in the saddle with his Russo Brothers like partner Dave Filoni to bring George's Lucasfilm vision back to Hyperspace. As soon as that iconic Mando music comes back in, for his theme tune, you just know it's on. 

Critics may be complaining (no wonder I switched from reviews to column writing), but Star Wars hits all the right Cantina notes with this Mando lore. The opening act, teased on Disney Plus for the last month, white walks with the best snowscapes seen on scenes. And that cliff face will kick you right into the reason you purchased that IMAX seat, and not for one of the cool limited-edition posters. A couple of dogfights and barroom brawls later (not to mention an arena for gladiators) and you'll be so glad the chrome dome is back on the head of the new Reed Richards of 'The Fantastic Four', Pedro Pascal as Din Djarin...even if his legions of fans may deem that "monstrous."

Stuntmen Brendan Wayne and Lateef Crowder also deserve their due as Mando, like the Grogu puppeteer's and Werner "you are cowards" Herzog do for the cutest creature creation. Who would have thought that some old green goblin would be everyone's favourite Christmas present, like Buzz Lightyear, returning for 'Toy Story 5' this summer? Yet this kid is more than alright. We could watch his sneeze snow and tap his father's helmet all day long. But the beautiful bond, that will reduce you to tears is much more than that, patting down mud. "The old protect the young, and then the young protect the old," is one of the best lines since "this is the way", and any other Star Wars soundbites you love ("I know"). Even if Seth Rogen probably wouldn't agree. And that's ok, this is his way.

Mando and Grogu may ride again, but some are missing in the fold. Like a fired Gina Carano, who didn't last that long on Netflix, either, and the late, great Creed of Carl Weathers with the 'Predator' hand clasp. But there is a new cast of characters to add to your rogues gallery of favourites. Most notably, in size at least, being 'The Bear's' Jeremy Allen White offering more humanity to a Hutt. Some call it a curious choice for the Emmy winning star of 'Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere', but who else would pass up the chance to play The Boss and a space slug?

Elsewhere there's strong support from 'Dune' actor Stephen McKinley Henderson who always brings heart to everything he does. Whilst the iconic 'Alien' actress Sigourney Weaver adds an X-Wing pilot to her resume, doing for this franchise what 'Terminator' legend Linda Hamilton did for 'Stranger Things', or what Weaver did for Marvel's 'Defenders'. The biggest surprise, mind you, might be one of the greatest directors of all-time Martin Scorsese playing a chimp like shopkeeper cooking up something to rival Favreau's favourite grilled cheese sandwich from 'Chef'. Armed with more hands than Marvel has movies. Absolute you know what.

Scored by 'Sinners' winner Ludwig Göransson and what sounds like a Lady Gaga number, some say 'The Mandalorian' should have never shown his face again. Others think this merely plays like a couple of episodes of the TV show tacked together. More like the other way 'round. These shows were always known to be filmed on the same cameras as Scorsese cinema. We all know what the real "Asset" of this Star Wars lore is...especially when he finds some similar minded and sized friends, but under the hood, 'The Mandalorian' and his foundling, have so much more humanity and heart. And there's art in the ultimate space western for the best science fiction of our past, present and any future you can think of.

There is no way quite like this.