'The Mandalorian and Grogu,' the latest Star Wars spin-off directed by Jon Favreau and starring Pedro Pascal, has been met with scathing reviews ahead of its May 22 release. the film, which reunites Din Djarin with his loyal ward Grogu, has been criticized for its over-reliance on CGI and lackluster storytelling, raising questions about the future of the franchise.

The Times' Dismal One-Star Review

Leading the charge with a dismal one-star review, The Times dismissed Favreau's offering as the final nail in the Star Wars coffin. "You wouldn’t leave a dying dog like this," they write. "But that’s what Star Wars has become. Putting it down would be a mercy killing."

The Telegraph's Scathing Two-Star Verdict

The Telegraph awarded the film two stars, delivering a scathing review. "Disney has been trying to turn Star Wars into another Marvel-like franchise for some time," they write . "And in that respect The Mandalorian and Grogu is a roaring success , insfoar as it feels like a skippable new episode in a soap opera you lost interest in years ago…"

The Independent's Critique of Over-Reliance on CGI

In another two-star review, The Independent criticizes Favreau for an over-reliance on CGI effects. "... as much as little Grogu, with his fuzzy, twtichy ears and chubby-cheeked smile, remains a slam dunk on the cuteness scale, Favreau has reduced him here more to strategy than character – something to cut to when the characters have run out of things to say," they write.

High Expectations Dashed by Critics

With the film reuniting Djarin's titular Mandalorian with loyal ward Grogu, an infat member of the same alien race as Yoda,expectations were high after both characters were warmly received by fans in previous spin-off shows The Mandalorian and The Book Of Boba Fett. However, critics have clearly embraced the dark side of the force ahead of its general release on May 22.