Rogue One: A Star Wars Story - movie review
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
Plot: The Rebel Alliance makes a risky move to steal the plans for the Death Star, setting up the epic saga to follow.
Cast: Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Alan Tudyk
Director: Gareth Edwards
Rating: 12A (moderate violence)
Runtime: 2hrs 14 mins
Release Date: Thursday 15th December 2016
A long time ago in a galaxy far far away...
STAR WARS
EPISODE IV - A NEW HOPE
It is a period of civil war. Rebel spaceships, striking from a hidden base, have won their first victory against the evil Galactic Empire.
During the battle, Rebel spies managed to steal secret plans to the Empire's ultimate weapon, the DEATH STAR, an armoured space station with enough power to destroy an entire planet.
Pursued by the Empire's sinister agents, Princess Leia races home aboard her starship, custodian of the stolen plans that can save her people and restore freedom to the galaxy...
Yes. I know the New Hope opening crawl off by heart. Sue me. But those opening two paragraphs of the crawl are fundamental for understanding Rogue One. To give a bit of context for those who don't live and breathe Star Wars, Rogue One is the first spin-off film devised in the Star Wars universe. It is not a sequel to The Force Awakens. It's set in between Revenge Of The Sith and A New Hope. Think of it like Episode 3.9 considering how close it is to the 1977 original. Whereas bringing Star Wars back after the controversial prequels was a considerable risk for Lucasfilm and Disney, this venture into deep Star Wars lore but straying away the Skywalker saga was a monumental challenge for them to face. If it works, they're laughing all the way to the bank and I, as a gigantic Star Wars fan, am enormously pleased. If it fails, Disney have to rethink their plans for their Star Wars spin-offs and films like the Young Han Solo movie are shrouded in doubt. How did it all turn out? Well, after seeing Rogue One four times, I think that gives a good indication.
Star Wars always has a knack for hiring the best talent for their cast and there's no change for Rogue One. It is categorically one of the best ensembles from this year alongside Captain America: Civil War. In the headline and starring role is Felicity Jones as Jyn Erso. Bearing some similarities to Rey in the style of growing up lacking the all important parental guidance and severe daddy issues, Jyn is hardened, battle ready but above all else, she's real and well developed. At the start, Jyn has trouble trusting anyone which is understandable given her past, but through the progress of the film, her care towards the rebellion and defeating the empire is transformative. Jones as Jyn is outstanding. Not only can she handle herself fantastically well in the action scenes and becomes a top action star, but when the emotional beats come, and they do come in spades, Jones nails every single one of them. A specific scene of hers when she's given a message is purely heart wrenching and she's absolutely phenomenal. Jyn Erso may have flaws as an actual person but in the span of one scene, she is immediately on the list of the most endearing characters in Star Wars history. In charge of the Rogue One team, and keeping Jyn and the other scoundrels in check is Captain Cassian Andor (for further notice, I knew the names of all characters before the film was released) played brilliantly by Diego Luna. Cassian was someone who, by the looks of the trailers, would be the Captain America figure who'd be the goody two shoes and want to keep in line with the rebellion whilst the others fight dirty. Surprisingly, Cassian is a very troubled rebel who has various depths and layers to him that further his character. Through his character, we learn that the Rebel Alliance isn't as clean cut as the original trilogy made out to be. The Empire is still very evil but for the greater outcome, Rogue One shows that the Rebellion has darker sides too. Luna is so damn good as Cassian. His seriousness allows the movie to stay grounded, his involvement in the fighting is very impressive but the best part about Cassian is the relationship he forms with multiple characters. Luna and Jones have great onscreen chemistry but the best bond is with K2-SO. I love C3-PO. He may be a tad sassy and overly annoying but I still love him. However, K2 might be very slightly better. Motion captured and voiced by Alan Tudyk, K2 is a reprogrammed Imperial droid who, as a byproduct of the reprogramming, is very sarcastic, straightforward and blunt leading to the funniest moments in the film. Firstly, the effects are incredible but that was always going to be the case in Star Wars. Tudyk has created an instant classic character that everyone, young and old, will unabashedly love and adore. His dry wit, cold personality and hulking figure make K2 one of the best characters in the film and that is only advanced with Tudyk as the voice. If you ever want a solid performance in any big budget blockbuster, hire Alan Tudyk. The man is such an underrated talent and hopefully this will give way to him starring in so much more.
I'm one with the force. The force is with me. I'm one with the force. The force is with me. That line is destined to become a classic in Star Wars quotes. I'm already quoting it with my friends but much like 'May the force be with you', 'I know' and 'Do or do not. There is no try' the line delivered by Chirrut Îmwe (Donnie Yen) will be repeated for a long time to come. Much like the line, Chirrut is a character that will be loved by all until the end of time. Needless to say, Donnie Yen is an absolute tour de force and complete badass. He plays a blind warrior who has a spiritual connection to the force. He fights with a stick and even though saying he wrecks a group of stormtroopers is the visual equivalent of music to my ears, it's nothing compared to watching it on screen. I can categorically state that Chirrut is my favourite member of the Rogue One team, not just because he's a total beast but his belief of the force, peacekeeper of the group and talent from Yen make him a more than welcome inclusion to the lore. Chirrut also has a partner in the form of Baze Malbus who has a big gun. A very big gun. Their relationship is similar to that of Han and Chewie. Chirrut is Han, a fan favourite hero that can kick ass and Baze is Chewbacca, a hairy warrior that backs up his friends at all times. Baze is played by Jiang Wen, an actor who, considering his first language isn't English, does a phenomenal job and an entry into a franchise that will make him a global star. Speaking of making stars, specifically a Death Star, the big villain of Rogue One is Director Orson Krennic, the creator of the Death Star and an Imperial Official. Played by Ben Mendelsohn, Krennic might not have a lightsaber nor heavy weaponry, but his mind is his tool, not to mention he has the power of the Death Star at the tip of his fingers. Whereas previous villains have always been the highest ranking official, Krennic has people to answer to but, because of his history (which you can discover in the book Catalyst) his work and title is frowned upon by other Imperial colleagues. This makes Krennic unlike any Star Wars villain we've seen before simply due to the fact that he frequently loses his temper and makes rash and impulsive decisions. Mendelsohn is great in the role and makes for a formidable character. He also has fully committed to the role which adds to the enjoyment. Seeing him walk out as Krennic during Star Wars Celebration gave me goosebumps. I'm also a big fan of Krennic's personal bodyguards; the Death Troopers. Apart from looking incredibly sinister, these are troopers with a difference. They aim.
Having a small role but a large presence was Forest Whitaker as Saw Gerrera. If that names sounds familiar to any committed Star Wars fans, Saw was a rebel fighter that appeared in The Clone Wars series. He was on the extreme side of the rebellion but the fact that the films have the balls and dedication to include characters that have only appeared in television shows and are willing to cut deep into the Star Wars canon is fantastically heartwarming. All we need now is to see a live action version of Grand Admiral Thrawn and I will be over the moon. Saw, in Rogue One, is very compelling to see how he's advanced since the Clone Wars but also how different his portrayal is from the show. Saw was never the most straightforward of characters and, perhaps for some of the time, Whitaker does really ham it up. Is it a problem? Not really because considering how much his character's been through, his fragile state of mind is to be expected. There are a few instances where he does go over the top but all can be forgiven because of how well Saw has transferred from the small screen to the big screen. Completing the team as a defected Imperial pilot is Bodhi Rook played by Riz Ahmed. Being a relative newcomer to the acting world, Riz Ahmed is exceptional in Rogue One. Giving a very damaged and hurt performance, Ahmed stresses that Bodhi is confused and involuntarily gets wrapped up in a fight that he initially didn't want any part of. In an ideal world, I would have liked the film to take advantage of his piloting skills more but his addition to the team was a meaningful one. Also starring, and wrapping up a packed year for him, is Mads Mikkelsen as Galen Erso, Jyn's estranged father. His inclusion in the film hasn't been clearly stated so I'll leave it with saying that Galen is key to the development of the Death Star. Similar to Felicity Jones's standout scene, Mikkelsen too gets a scene like that where he reinforces the fact as to why he is such a sought after actor. Much like Saw Gerrera, his appearance in the film isn't extensive, but whenever he shows up, you cannot think of anyone who could play that character better.
As far as others are concerned, there isn't a bad performance in sight. Keenly eyed fans will also notice a few added characters that have been well hidden. Two of which, have been created through the use of groundbreaking visual effects that are scarily good. It is noticeable but their inclusion to the story makes sense and it is astonishing to witness. Disney are close to forming life. Be afraid. Disney are becoming the Empire. If they suddenly announce a plan to build their very own space station, other theme parks should beware. Ok, now I know what most of you are thinking. If you're a judgmental person, you're thinking 'I can trust your opinion. You're too much of a fanboy.' In response, I say that if something were atrocious, I would critique it to absolute destruction *cough* Jar Jar *cough*. Also, screw you, it's Star Wars. However, if you're excited for Rogue One and have seen the trailers, you'll most certainly know that a certain masked and heavy breathing Sith Lord appears. Yes, Darth Vader is in Rogue One. However, to those of you expecting a large amount of Vader, please temper your expectations. That being said, the way Vader is used is perfect. He's featured for the right amount, his scenes are the best in the film and he gets one particular scene that has got everyone talking. Obviously avoiding spoilers but, and I don't say this lightly, Rogue One might just contain the best Darth Vader scene of all time. My jaw dropped when I saw it. It was everything I've ever wanted to see from Vader and it reinforces the idea of how terrifying he can be. In my Civil War review I stated that the airport scene was the best action scene in any film ever and I still stand by that statement. However, this particular Vader sequence is up there with some of the greatest moments of Star Wars ever. It's almost as if Lucasfilm and Gareth Edwards saw that airport sequence and went 'Hold my beer'. It is also enormously satisfying to hear the powerful voice of James Earl Jones return as Vader. Honestly, I cannot stop gushing about that particular Vader scene. I've seen it four times now and it's still amazingly beautiful.
FACT: The idea for this film came from ILM visual effects supervisor John Knoll. He received a story credit and served as an executive producer of the film.
As much as I love, adore and am slightly obsessed with The Force Awakens, and even though it was my favourite film of 2015, not even I can deny that the plot bares many similarities to A New Hope. Many attack it for just being a rip-off but the way it was handled, shaped it to become a polite homage to the classics before. Rogue One on the other hand, is a wholly original Star Wars film. Yes, the main object of destruction is basically the Death Star, yet again, but their objective isn't to destroy it. That comes in the sequel. Rogue One is basically if Ocean's Eleven and Band Of Brothers spawned a child. There's the inclusion of heist thematics and the intensity of a war film. Gareth Edwards has said it himself on numerous occasions. This is Star WARS. The setting of the film is when the Empire are at the height of their powers so the galaxy is not a wonderful place. Rogue One is dark, unforgiving, unflinching and nothing like we've ever seen in the Star Wars universe before. Everyone claims The Empire Strikes Back is the most grounded and serious of the franchise. That is very true, until Rogue One blasted onto screens. Gareth Edwards successfully fulfilled his aims in giving Star Wars fans and the general viewing public a different perception of this universe. Removing my Star Wars fan cap for a moment and replacing it with a concentrated reviewer top hat, the actual structure and developments in Rogue One is extremely effective. To begin with, the pacing of the film is non-stop. You're transfixed throughout the first act as we meet our characters and the story sets itself up. The second act is gripping as tensions build and revelations surface that all lead to a perfect finale that contains literally everything, and I do mean everything, that Star Wars action has to offer. Space battles. Sky battles. Ground battles. It's a wonderful orgy of violence. From start to finish, I never found a dull moment. It even manages to throw in some political debates and disputes, something that, if you're a Star Wars fan, the films have always had an issue with. Not every character featured had the most in depth of development, however, every member of the team has a key moment where their character has a shining moment to reveal more about themselves as well as be a total badass. Whilst my unbridled joy when watching Rogue One cannot be tarnished, Edwards has certainly focused this movie to appeal more to the hardcore fans. Casual fans or passing viewers might not get as much out of Rogue One and think of it as a fine and harmless film. However, being a Star Wars obsessor, the countless Easter Eggs, winks and nods thrown in mean so much especially when it's been covered from all angles of Star Wars lore. Now, leading up to the finale, I was ready to say that Rogue One was an outstanding film but would place itself just under Return Of The Jedi in terms of ranking. Then the final act happened. War! *Cue mind explosion*. The whole battle on and above Scarif is beautiful but the final ten minutes is complete and utter perfection. Honestly, if I were to make a list of the greatest Star Wars moments, a significant chunk of the final minutes of Rogue One would easily appear in the top 10.
Even the creature and alien design has never been better. Characters like Two-Tubes and Bistan, The Space Monkey are wonderful inclusions and the level of detail the creators have gone too has taken dedication to their craft to the extreme. The action is easily some of the best to grace the SWU. Nothing has been watered down. There is a lot of death. None of which are just thrown in without reason. The stakes are high and it's impressive to see how much can be allowed with a 12A rating. Kids loved The Force Awakens but they might be lukewarm about Rogue One unless they're cold and have no heart. Because of the war and gritty action, I'd say that Rogue One is the first Star Wars film that is mostly aimed for adults. The space battle above Scarif might be the best space battle since The Battle over Endor, possibly even better. Finally, and perhaps the most iconic part of a Star Wars film, is the score. However, shockingly, Rogue One is without the master and God of all scores, John Williams. Don't panic. He's still scoring the Saga films but for Rogue One and presumably the other Story films, Michael Giacchino is the composer. Now, many people have been critiquing his score because it doesn't have that Star Wars feel or there isn't that standout track. In my opinion, I think Giacchino's score is absolutely fine and does a great job blending in with the film. It then becomes unbelievable when you realise Giacchino only had FOUR WEEKS to score the entire film after previous composer, Alexandre Desplat, left the project. So in my books, Giacchino did a great job and I think even John Williams would struggle with that time frame too.
My Verdict: 10/10
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