It has been seven years since a new Star Wars film has hit the big screen. For fans of the franchise, it has been a long and agonizing wait (please pardon the drama). Yet there has been no shortage of new canonical Star Wars content for us to consume via streaming. Since the franchise’s last feature film hit theaters, there has been ten live-action seasons and nearly as many animated offerings on the Disney+ platform. Still, there’s nothing quite like Star Wars on the big screen.

For this decades-long Star Wars fan, Jon Favreau’s “The Mandalorian” remains among the best of the live-action streaming series. Spanning 24 episodes over three seasons, the show plays like a space western set during a turbulent time on the Star Wars timeline. The first season was a terrific table-setter and the second season was an equally impressive follow-up. And while the third season dove more into Mandalorian lore than some wanted, it was still a worthwhile continuation.

The show’s story began five years after the events of “Return of the Jedi” and followed a lone Mandalorian bounty hunter named Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) who becomes the protector and father-figure to a Force-sensitive child named Grogu (aka “Baby Yoda”). The series was firmly planted in the Star Wars galaxy, yet it’s the relationship that Din and Grogu forged that formed the heart of its story. And now their journey continues on the big screen with the simply titled “The Mandalorian and Grogu”.

Favreau directs from a script he co-wrote with Dave Filoni and Noah Kloor. Together they have created a pulpy throwback space adventure that entertains with its bigger, grander spectacle yet flows naturally from the intimacy of its small screen predecessor. Even more, while it’s nicely rooted in Star Wars canon, “The Mandalorian and Grogu” doesn’t require a degree in Star Wars-ology to know what’s going on. Obviously it will speak more to seasoned fans. But anyone can watch, catch on, and enjoy.

Predictably, “The Mandalorian and Grogu” has already faced negativity from many of the usual naysayers. But for those able to toss aside unreasonable expectations and trendy disillusionment, Favreau and company have delivered a rip-roaring Star Wars adventure reminiscent of the old space serials that inspired George Lucas nearly 50 years ago. It tells an incredibly fun and mostly self-contained story that really gets to the heart of what so many of us love about the eponymous duo.

After the fall of the Galactic Empire, a remnant of loyalists threaten the stability of the galaxy. A shadow council made up of ex-Imperial warlords operate in the lawless Outer Rim, secretly plotting to rebuild the Empire. To quell their efforts, the fledgling New Republic enlist Din (a returning Pascal) and his young apprentice Grogu to hunt them down one by one. It’s dangerous work, but it’s something Din knows and does well.

After taking out a target in an exhilarating action-filled opening, Din returns to base where he is approached by Colonel Ward (Sigourney Weaver), a top pilot during the Rebellion now serving as a commanding officer for the New Republic. She tasks him with a new mission – apprehend Imperial warlord Janu Coin (Jonny Coyne). But in order to find his location, Din will have to do a job for the Hutt twins, the leaders of the crime syndicate once ran by the late Jabba the Hutt.

The twins want Din to rescue Rotta the Hutt (voiced by Jeremy Allen White), the only surviving heir of Jabba who is being held captive on the planet Shakari. But Din and Grogu learn the hard way that there is more to their mission than meets the eye. And when things get “messy”, our heroes find themselves at odds with the Hutt twins who have their own shady self-interests and ulterior movies in play.

From its opening moments, “The Mandalorian and Grogu” makes its intentions very clear. It’s every bit of a Star Wars movie, with its threatening worlds, its array of cool creatures, and a plethora of details that fans will recognize throughout. At the same time, the story is more about the personal stakes rather than galaxy-wide peril. Much like the show, it keeps Din and Grogu’s relationship front and center which adds plenty of heart to the pulse-pounding action.

As far as visuals, Favreau weaves an eye-popping tapestry of practical sets, digital effects, and amazing puppetry in bringing his adventure to life. It’s especially impressive on the big screen, whether it’s massive Imperial walkers, ferocious arena fights, or the scene-stealing Anzellan droidsmiths. And it’s all accompanied by the lavishly scored music of Oscar-winning composer Ludwig Göransson. He turns out to be one of the film’s biggest standouts.

Again, throw aside the absurd expectations, the exaggerated doomsdaying, and the ‘hate for clicks’ online noise and you’ll find a movie that’s not as far removed from George Lucas’ original vision as you may think. Some have harshly judged the film as “inconsequential”. But Favreau is clearly aiming for something more intimate, with situations that are never “inconsequential” for the characters. And Star Wars has already shown that not every story needs to be on a galactic scale. It’s true that your mileage may vary depending on your affection for the two lead characters. But again, anyone can jump in, buckle up, and enjoy this equally exciting and charming old-school space adventure.