While I couldn’t see the film opening night, I was able to see it bright and early the next morning. Having a "Star Wars" geek as your boyfriend means seeing the movie ASAP, and getting as many missing details as your newbie brain couldn't find. I have to admit that I will be releasing some (okay, a lot) of spoilers here, so please do not continue if you want to spare your life from my take on "Rogue One: A Star Wars Movie."
Let me just say again that having a "Star Wars" geek as your boyfriend is truly something special. Hearing the film without tears through its entirety would’ve made it a little bit emptier.
"Rogue One" begins without the famous introductory screen crawl and heads into the galactic empire mirroring the opening scene of "Inglorious Bastards." We are introduced to Jyn Erso, the story's protagonist, and her father, Galen Erso, an imperial scientist. Much like Rey from "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," Jyn goes about her life without her parents. But unlike Rey, Jyn is brought up by her mentor Saw Gerrera until she reaches the age of sixteen.
Already knowing this story, with tells of plans to get the death star blueprints, Jyn’s journey with her team consisting of Captain Cassian Andor, reprogrammed Imperial droid K-2SO, former protectors of the kyber crystals of Jedha- Chirrut Îmwe and Baze Malbus, and Imperial defector, Bodhi Rook, is all the more exciting. A plan of defeating Galen Erso decided by the rebel alliance turns to one of reaching him and combating the death star, when a hologram of Galen talking about the Death Star's major flaw that could destroy the entire battle station is shown to Jyn.
At the hologram’s conclusion, any "Star Wars" fan can begin to piece together what exactly is going to happen. Jyn must get the alliance to help her defeat Vader, destroy the death star, and save the galaxy.
Along the way some familiar faces brighten up my movie experience, such as the bump-in with Ponda Baba and Dr. Evazen on Jedha, Grand Moff Tarkin (YES, TARKIN) on the Death Star, R2D2 and C3PO on Yavin 4, Darth Vader at his palace on Mustafar, (Then Princess, now General) Leia at the end on the Tantive IV bridging right into “Star Wars,” Chopper on Yavin 4, the Ghost (ship) in the rebel fleet, and the loudspeaker announcement calling for General Syndulla.
This wouldn’t be a movie review without spoiling one harshly obvious fact- everyone dies. Yes, I mean everyone. Though I must say, Jyn and Cassian dying together whilst in an embrace brought me the "Star Wars" level of romantic intimacy that "The Force Awakens" lacked. The dark tone that the new movie adapted is one that I thought George Lucas was never capable of associating with "Star Wars." While there is a hint of darkness in every movie, this film was on a new level of destruction and pure evil.
Maybe I’m biased in saying that this movie is the best one I’ve seen in 2016, because I’m a "Star Wars" junkie, or maybe it actually is. What I know is that this beautiful film perfectly pieced together the two trilogies and had K2, Cassion, and Jyn filling in the shoes of Han, Luke, and Leia effortlessly. The story’s development from beginning to end was one of incredulous detail and flawless execution. What more can I say other than that I give this movie a 10/10, and that I intend to see it again at least twice.
After all, everyone needs a little 'Stardust' in their life.