No doubt you will see, or have already seen, a flood of reviews for Rogue One, the latest film in the Star Wars franchise. However, as a student of film and huge Star Wars fan, I feel I need to talk about it, as well.
A big thing I learned while studying film in college is how much our expectations influence our opinions of a movie. Having the Star Wars title attached to Rogue One will already come with a ton of different expectations, and I'm sure you have plenty of your own based on the trailers, the franchise, the genre, the actors, or a plethora of other personal factors. Because of this, I do not wish to influence your expectations going into the movie if I don't have to; if you're simply looking to know if this is worth about $10 and a few hours of your time, the answer is yes.
Absolutely yes.
If you're a fan of Star Wars, go see this movie. If you're a fan of Sci-Fi or War films, go see this movie. If you just like good cinema, GO SEE THIS MOVIE.
Now this is the part where I'm probably going to influence your expectations going into the film, so if you don't want that, stop reading and just go see the movie (DO IT). It might be borderline sacrilegious to say, but I feel that this film is at least on par with A New Hope, if not the best Star Wars movie since Empire Strikes Back. I know that's a pretty bold statement, but hear me out.
Rogue One perfectly captures the way the original trilogy felt. Sitting in the theatre, I was the same kid who just popped a Star Wars VHS in for the first time, watching that epic title crawl and a massive Star Destroyer scroll menacingly across the screen.
It has the exact look and feel of the original trilogy, down to grimy clothes and rusty ships and props. It's not the new and shiny galaxy of the prequels or the modern and sleek version we see in The Force Awakens. The Empire's effect on a galaxy far, far away is not pretty.
It even sounds like the original movies. The blasters, the starships, the way the Stormtroopers sound over their comms, all the background beeps and chirps we hear in the rebel base or on the bridge of a Star Destroyer; it's an incredibly nostalgic experience. In one of the beach scenes, we hear an AT-AT approaching before we even see it. The rebels slowly turn away from their skirmish as that CAH-CHUNK of the massive legs is heard in the distance, then the head of the huge walker slowly breaks through the mist.
Goosebumps.
So the aesthetics are phenomenal, but that's not the only aspect that makes a movie great. Story plays a huge role, and this is a fantastic story. We see the terrible effects of war and a totalitarian government on its people, but in classic Star Wars fashion, the grim is juxtaposed with sharp and witty comedic dialogue. There is heart and real gravity to the Rebels fight against the Empire and to me, it is the most real-feeling Star Wars movie to date.
If "Saving Private Ryan" and "A New Hope" had a baby, it would be "Rogue One".
It feels like the first film in the series that really stresses the War in Star Wars. It's always been present, but we see first hand all of the risk and brutality of the front lines. People die. Like, a lot of people on both sides. Rebels loose comrades, and it's heartbreaking. Massive sacrifices are made for the greater good, both from the perspective of the Rebel Alliance and the Empire. War is always hell, whether it occurs right here on earth, or a long time ago, light years away.
At this point, I've influenced your expectations enough, so I'll conclude with this: Rogue One is not just an incredibly satisfying movie experience, it is a phenomenal expansion of the Star Wars lore. It fits in perfectly with an already well-established universe, while also making its own distinct mark. It is an exceptionally well directed, acted, and written piece of cinema, and I cannot recommend it enough. It's not like Disney really needs the money, but go see it.
Multiple times.
I know I will.
