I couldn’t think of a better way to revive this little blog of ours than by writing a review of one of the most anticipated movies of 2016. No, Marvel and DC don’t get a stake in that category this year. I am, of course, talking about Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.
Since this review all at once for those you have seen it and have yet to see it, I will post this review in two parts. The first is a general review for those of you who wish to read some thoughts on the movie but are trying to stay clear of spoilers. The second is a longer post for those who have seen the movie and would like to analyze and discuss the movie in greater detail. This is the Spoiler-Free Review.
The Spoiler-Free Review
To start, let‘s look at aesthetics and other non-story elements.
This movie is just beautiful. You can certainly see that the combination of practical effects and (not too much) CGI firmly connect Rogue One to its SFX roots. The score was exceptional and maintained what we have all come to expect from a Star Wars movie, as Michael Giacchino has wonderfully built a fantastic musical tower upon the solid foundation laid by the series’ main composer, the unmatched John Williams. Editing was very well done, as I thought that transitions from scene to scene had a natural flow and did not feel forced or out of place. In fact, when discussing the movie’s non-story components, there isn’t really much to critique. In that area, you will see that the movie is not a pain to watch.
Now, to the story. The writing was absolutely fantastic, and even though there was a bit of cheesy dialogue here and there, it was nothing that was out of character for a typical Star Wars movie. Pacing was a bit slow in the first half, but the fact that it presented necessary elements for the characters, as well as solid world-building, more than made up for the slow start that soon accelerates to an explosive finish. Think of an airliner that first taxis on the runway, then takes of with great power after the slow gathering of speed. Admittedly, I had to remind myself that this wasn’t an Episode, but was instead a stand-alone and must be treated as such.
Word to the wise: do NOT expect a traditional Star Wars movie. While this movie is wholly and unequivocally a solid member of the franchise, it is truly the first of it’s kind with respect to what we are used to.
I will say that the tone of the movie is what truly sets Rogue One apart. It is certainly the darkest Star Wars movie since The Empire Strikes Back, and I would argue that it was much darker and grittier than the darkest moments of Revenge of the Sith. I would recommend that small children NOT be taken to this film. While it never goes overboard, the movie still contains elements that young children may not be ready to digest (hence the PG-13 rating). This movie should be treated like it’s meant to be: a war movie with espionage and infiltration elements. For a dark story that had to quickly introduce new characters into an existing world, the story is everything you SHOULD expect.
I am also willing to admit that the fan-service is STRONG with this one. If The Force Awakens was a love letter to the Original Trilogy, then Rogue One is a love letter to the fans, as well as an apology for retconning decades of Extended Universe material by way of giving us exactly that. If you are a long-time fan (who have read a Star Wars novel or two), this movie is everything you’ve ever wanted. It’s a Star Wars story that’s not bogged down with the destinies of Jedi and Sith, but focuses on the actions and fates of those fighting on the front lines of the most well-known conflict in the Star Wars Universe, giving glimpses of what life was really like under virtually uncontested Imperial rule as well as motivation for the formation of the Rebel Alliance.
Here’s the part where I rate the movie. When it comes to Star Wars, the only way to accurately rate it is to place it among its predecessors. The following is a scale from worst to best Star Wars film: Attack of the Clones, The Phantom Menace, Revenge of the Sith, A New Hope, Return of the Jedi, The Force Awakens, and The Empire Strikes Back.
So, on a scale from Clones to Empire, I must agree with some colleagues of mine and rank Rogue One right behind The Empire Strikes Back. It was a brilliant movie that brought new characters to a well-established world and naturally connected them to it. For the Star Wars fan, it is a wonderful blend of new and familiar without leaning heavily on the nostalgia of the other movies. It is a true stand alone that will indeed stand the test of time and will be chief among the pantheon of Star Wars films.
