'The Mandalorian': The monsters in Season 2 are the best in 'Star Wars' live-action canon
Spoilers for 'The Mandalorian' Season 2, Episode 2 - 'The Passenger'
'The Mandalorian' is at the top of its game when it comes to bringing live-action 'Star Wars' battle scenes the likes of which audiences have never seen before. Featuring no characters who wield the lightsabers that has defined so many 'Star Wars' actions scenes in the past, 'The Mandalorian' has had to get creative. From outfitting the Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal) with some of the best technology bounty hunting money can buy, to space battles or blaster showdowns with droids, the show has brought in some much needed variety to 'Star Wars' action scenes - and Season 2 has, so far, brought in an all new focus: monsters.
Last episode featured one of the most glorious battle scenes in 'Star Wars' history - featuring a giant, acid spitting Krayt Dragon vs Tusken Raiders, the townspeople of Mos Pelgos, exploding Banthas and, most importantly, two men outfitted in Mandalorian armor, complete with jetpacks. It's a battle that might have seemed impossible to outdo, but by switching things up from a high stakes battle to a more chilling - pun intended - attack from a swarm of spiders, 'The Mandalorian' is 2 for 2 when it comes to memorable monster fights.
The spider swarm from this episode was genius in a number of ways, forcing the Mandalorian to fight creatures both large and small at the same time. As a threat, they come with a certain amount of terror from the fact that it only takes one to slip past your defences - the Krayt Dragon may be a large target, but at least it's easy to keep track of. Seeing the spiders infest the Razorcrest was easily one of the most blood chilling moments of the series.
Besides showing off the best of the show's visual effects, both monsters also create the opportunity for the show to show off the full versatility of the Mandalorian's weapons. From his forked Amban Phase-Pulse Blaster and jetpack combo against the Krayt Dragon, to a more subdued blaster defence and retreat ending with his wrist flamethrower, we get to see the Mandalorian using both his wits and his weaponry to make the best of very bad and very different situations. It gives the show's action choreographers a much more creative space within which to work, and so far, it's been paying off magnificently.
The Mandalorian may be one of the galaxy's best bounty hunters - but if he changed his vocation to monster hunter instead, it's unlikely that any of us will be complaining.
The next episode of 'The Mandalorian' airs November 13, on Disney+.
