REVIEW: ‘ROGUE ONE: A Star Wars Story’

Last weekend, Rogue One was at the receiving end of glowing responses and acclaim from various people online, setting a mark that the hype built for the film might be fulfilled in ways more than one. It’s always a good thing when a project gets the reception it deserves, but just like any other Hollywood flick, it runs the risk of being overhyped – especially if we are to consider the multitude of Star Wars die-hards around the globe.

It now begs the question: Did Rogue One live up to expectations?

Notions Vs Reality

Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock, chances are you’ve seen A New Hope countless times, and truth be told, we are all aware of how this film may conclude. However, the team cleverly spins out all expectations of the plot and weaves it anew into an amalgamation of action, politicking, and tragedy. From its opening sequence to its final minutes, Rogue One will surely rip all of your notions one by one, until it changes your perception.

A Band of Brothers?

Rogue One has gathered a solid ensemble, and while a few of the cast members didn’t share the same amount of airtime as the leads, they were still able to render impact and gravitas to the story. As expected, Felicity Jones did great as Jyn Erso, and does manage to transition smoothly into the character’s eventual development. Diego Luna offers terrific support as Cassian Andor, who brings ample amounts of grey and ruthlessness than what we saw in the film’s early trailers. Surprisingly, both Donnie Yen’s Chirrut Imwe and Alan Tudyk’s K-2SO stole the spotlight, as they provide both the movie’s biggest laughs, as well as the most emotional moments.

Another thing worth discussing is how deviant Rogue One is, in comparison to the main films of the franchise. As the film’s final 15 minutes had depicted, it is seemingly unrepentant in exuding a foreboding sense of dread and danger in every turn. This time, there are real stakes involved, with real consequences awaiting every action. Missed Band of Brothers? Good, this might fill the void for you.

Vader At His Prime

Without jumping into Spoiler Hyperspace, Vader is used sparingly, but very effectively. Some may argue that his appearances seem a little shoehorned in, and in a way I suppose his presence does qualify as fan service – but I can’t see there being too many complaints once the credits roll. Furthermore, the approach to the way our favorite Sith Lord fought mirrors that of the Prequel Trilogy – frenetic, raw, and unintentionally dynamic.

There are a few minor issues with the film, but most are only nitpicks and not really worth bringing up. That said, I do have a couple of sightly bigger problems, but they’d definitely count as spoilers so I’ll hold off on discussing them until the movie is out.

So, is this the movie we hoped for?

I’d say, yes. Despite being clad in a cloak of grit and realism, Rogue One is, by all merits, a Star Wars tale. Clever writing, frenetic camera work, and a great ensemble propelled the film to higher ground. Expect a few familiar faces along the way, as we ride back in time to that galaxy far, far away.