‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’ is aptly named. This is not a sequel or a prequel to the current Star Wars storyline, rather a supplement. It’s a film smaller in scale which, in some ways, gives it greater impact. It tries to set itself apart from the main Star Wars universe by not adopting things such as the credits story line scroll or even the iconic Star Wars music by John Williams. In all honesty, I did miss those iconic touches, but it in no way takes away from the integrity of the film. In further honesty, I have to confess I was never the biggest Star Wars fan, even though I am well versed in the mythos and characters in the Star Wars universe. While I find the movies fun, to me it was always special effects and fight scenes at the expense of story. What spartan and basic story it does possess is powerful, but usually, the endless fight scenes failed to impress me. Rogue One is no different in terms of action over story, but where this film did impress me is the quantum jump in the quality and beauty of the film. The second trilogy never really impressed me in terms of their level of special effects over the original trilogy. Rogue One is a visually rich film and the beauty of many of the planets and locales are breathtaking.
Most people remember the plot of the first Star Wars where the Evil Empire have developed a moon sized Deathstar to wipe out the Rebellion and completely conquer the galaxy. Princess Lea of the Rebellion loads the plans to defeat the Deathstar into R2D2 and tasks the droid to transport the plans to the Rebellion after she is captured. A comment was made in the film that many good men died to acquire these plans. This is the basis of ‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’: How a group of brave men and woman infiltrate the Empire and steal the plans to save the universe. The central character revolves around Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones), the exiled daughter of the man most responsible for the creation of the Deathstar, Galen Erso (played by favorite Mad Milkkelson). After being traumatically separated from her parents, she is taken under the wing of extreme dissident Saw Gerrera (another favorite Forrest Whitaker). When her true identity is discovered she is rescued by the Rebellion and she is teamed up with Cassian Andor (Diego Luna), this film's swashbuckling version of Hans Solo. She is assigned to a Rebel ship, code named Rogue One with the mission to retrieve the plans that contain the key to destroying the Deathstar. Joining them is the delightful droid K-250, who is continually exacerbated with his human companions and a variety of other rag tag assemblings. Most notably is the blind Jedi Chirrut Îmwe (Donnie Yen) who has some of the coolest scenes in the film
Director Gareth Edwards is able to find his own voice in the Star Wars universe while at the same time keeping the magic that Star Wars fans will love. By focusing on a smaller story, we feel that we get a perspective of the Star Wars Universe that we never had before. Of course, by the third act, non-stop blaster and saber fights commence. Monotony and tedium would have set in for me, but the sheer beauty of the film and breathtaking scenery kept me engaged and enjoying the film. I have to say this film deepens my appreciation for the universe created in Star Wars even if does not increase my love for it. This film is a worthy interlude to the Star Wars universe even as I look forward to getting back to the story line. Hats off with respect.
I give this film ** 1/2 stars
