As the credits faded onto screen after the movie finished I was in complete shock, and in part I still am. I wasn't sure what to expect from Rogue One, other than it explained the mission of those who stole and transmitted the Death Star plans. But I was not dissapointed on any level. It was hard not to smile throughout the whole of the film, it was if I was being doused in a Star Wars waterfall and it was nothing but golorious. For those who have already watched it and loved it as much as you possibly can, you know what I'm talking about. Rogue One was INCREDIBLE, AMAZING and BEAUTIFUL.
*Spoilers Ahead!*
*Spoilers Ahead!*
This is my first film review so don't judge in my delivery and for those reading this who haven't yet seen the movie I'll warn you again there are MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD.
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LAST WARNING. SPOILERS!!!!
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LAST WARNING. SPOILERS!!!!
I won't go through every aspect of the film, I will only talk about the things that stood out to me and which I feel the need to talk about. So...here we go! *ahem*
To start, I have nothing but LOVE for this film, honestly I have a hard time disliking any aspect of it. Yes, I've only watched it once, but still...its too amazing not to like. In my eyes it was so much more incredible than I ever thought it would be.
The beginning. Wow. I wasn't sure what was going on at first, but it hooked me right away. The mystery of the situation and the introduction of so many key elements...it was just right to get me hooked. It got right into the story, introducing the intreging new character of Dicrector Orson Krennick along with Jyn and her father; Gaelin.
Jyn instantly became my favourite character of Rogue One just from the trailers that came to us throughout the year. I admired her ruggid nature and willingness to help the Rebellion even though she had been on her own for so long. Of course it was not nessisarily willingly, but she came to see the potential in the Rebellion and I do beleive it may have been her acts along with the others that joined her in the mission to steal the plans that made the Rebellion relaize that maybe they needed to change their point of view in some areas.
To start, I have nothing but LOVE for this film, honestly I have a hard time disliking any aspect of it. Yes, I've only watched it once, but still...its too amazing not to like. In my eyes it was so much more incredible than I ever thought it would be.
The beginning. Wow. I wasn't sure what was going on at first, but it hooked me right away. The mystery of the situation and the introduction of so many key elements...it was just right to get me hooked. It got right into the story, introducing the intreging new character of Dicrector Orson Krennick along with Jyn and her father; Gaelin.
Jyn instantly became my favourite character of Rogue One just from the trailers that came to us throughout the year. I admired her ruggid nature and willingness to help the Rebellion even though she had been on her own for so long. Of course it was not nessisarily willingly, but she came to see the potential in the Rebellion and I do beleive it may have been her acts along with the others that joined her in the mission to steal the plans that made the Rebellion relaize that maybe they needed to change their point of view in some areas.
One of the things that really stood out to me was how the film portayed the Rebellion. They didn't make it out to be this organization of people who could do no wrong and served justice all the time. They were not pure and all good like how they may have been portrayed and looked upon as in past films. They had their flaws and did not hesitate to get rid of the obsticles and problems. As Cassian was given the orders to kill Saw Gerrera on sight I was suprised that the Rebellion would make such a hasty decsion in both tricking and using Jyn's friendship with Saw. I wondered why they would even consider the idea, and it made them seem no differnt than the Empire they were fighting against.
The same goes for their order for Cassian to also kill Jyn's father; Gaelin. Again I believe they were being hasty and I was again suprised they went about this action so matter-of-factly. They wanted her father killed for no other reason than that he worked for the Empire and helped them build the Death Star. Not that those reasons aren't valid, but the Rebellion did not even take the time to ask Jyn about the message she received from her father. And when they did they weren't very responsive towards her, many of them not even believing her.
The same goes for their order for Cassian to also kill Jyn's father; Gaelin. Again I believe they were being hasty and I was again suprised they went about this action so matter-of-factly. They wanted her father killed for no other reason than that he worked for the Empire and helped them build the Death Star. Not that those reasons aren't valid, but the Rebellion did not even take the time to ask Jyn about the message she received from her father. And when they did they weren't very responsive towards her, many of them not even believing her.
Out of all the amazing characters in Rogue One, I have a hard time choosing a favourite, and in truth I really can't. However Chirrut Ïmwe struck a special cord in me when I first saw him in the trailers and I grew to love his character even more when I saw him in the film. I love his pure faith in the force, how he believes it will guide him and show him things one usually cannot see with either the naked eye or even with nautural force talents. And what made his character even more intreging was the fact that he couldn't physically see, having to soully rely fully on his attuned other senses and the force. His first fight with the batallion of Stormtroopers was absolutely incredible! He moved so qucikly and with such grace it was almost impossible to keep track of what he was even doing. If it was possible I'm sure I could have a long and interesting conversation with him about all he learned both from the force and during the course of his life. I cannot wait to watch the film again so I can see his amazing charater again in both patience and action.
I do not yet know who wrote the score for this film, whether it be John Williams or not either way...it is breathtaking! I especailly noticed the beautiful new theme which I assume to be the theme for Director Orson Krennic. I do not remember how it excatly goes but I'm sure I'll have it put to memory once I get my hands on the Rogue One soundtrack. Along with the other amazing tracks, the score for this film was a masterpeice in and of itself. It was epic and intense when it needed to be, and also soft and touching during the emotional moments.
Another great thing brought to light in Rogue One was the extent of the Empire and how much they did opress the galaxy. It brought a whole nother level to what they stood for and what they wanted to accomplish. It was very interesting and I loved seeing the scope of how the empire has grown throughtout the galaxy, a perspective we never were able to see before in previous films. This film brought depth to both the Empire and the Rebellion in ways I never really thought about before, making them both seem more real and relatable.
Another great thing brought to light in Rogue One was the extent of the Empire and how much they did opress the galaxy. It brought a whole nother level to what they stood for and what they wanted to accomplish. It was very interesting and I loved seeing the scope of how the empire has grown throughtout the galaxy, a perspective we never were able to see before in previous films. This film brought depth to both the Empire and the Rebellion in ways I never really thought about before, making them both seem more real and relatable.
I'd be lying to say I didn't freak out every time I saw a familiar face (or mask) in Rogue One. Although I kind of was geeking out throughout the whole movie as little easter eggs popped up here and there throughout the film. From the trailers it was pretty obvious Darth Vader was going to make an appearance, and while I didn't expect him to have a long role, I did know whatever scenes he was going to be in were going to be awesome. And I think it's safe to say, Darth Vader in this movie was epicer than I thought he'd be. Watching him have one-on-one chat with Director Krennic made me have nostalgia of the original trilogy as he made sure that Krennic knew he was the leading authority. Leaving the new antagonist with his signature neck choke to prove a point. However the last scene Vader was in is a sequence I could watch 100 times and probably not get bored of it. All you can hear is his heavy breathing in the darkness as he waits in the darkness of a Rebel ship, only to ignite his red lightsaber a few seconds later, easily disposing of the Rebel troops that open fire at him in vain only to be swiftly cut down by the Sith Lord.
One character to show up before Darth Vader was a familiar face we've seen from the prequels: Bail Organa. I'm not ashamed to say I flipped out when I saw him, partially because I wasn't expecting him to show up. It was a GREAT cameo and later in the film when he said he must return to Alderaan I mentally cried: "Noooo! Don't do it! Stay at the Rebel Base!!" But alas he didn't, leaving us with a comment about his adopted daughter; Leia.
One character to show up before Darth Vader was a familiar face we've seen from the prequels: Bail Organa. I'm not ashamed to say I flipped out when I saw him, partially because I wasn't expecting him to show up. It was a GREAT cameo and later in the film when he said he must return to Alderaan I mentally cried: "Noooo! Don't do it! Stay at the Rebel Base!!" But alas he didn't, leaving us with a comment about his adopted daughter; Leia.
Another thing I really LOVED about Rogue One was how REAL it seemed. Of course I was still concious of it being fantasy but just how characters were dressed, how their hair was, the enviroment, how they acted and reacted to situations all struck a very familiar cord with me. Like it all COULD be real somewhere, making me beleive that just maybe it was. Every single character, even the background extras and faceless Stormtroopers were relatable. I saw myself and other people I know in the vast network of characters in Rogue One, and I do think that is one of the reasons it rests so well with me.
Knowing the end and how it all turns out is hard for me, and I don't in any way like remembering it. I kind of suspected all the beloved characters he had just come to know and love would die in the end. And they did. I denied it until it actually started happening. The shock for me began when K-2SO was shot down my Stormtroopers as he gaurded the datavault as Jyn and Cassian looked for the Death Star plans. And when Chirrut went down next only seconds after he operated the master switch to enable the plans to be transmitted was when it started to hurt. I was in disbelief and unable to cry as I watched the rest of the heroes go down in service to each other and the cause of the Rebellion to ulimately save the galaxy.
Knowing the end and how it all turns out is hard for me, and I don't in any way like remembering it. I kind of suspected all the beloved characters he had just come to know and love would die in the end. And they did. I denied it until it actually started happening. The shock for me began when K-2SO was shot down my Stormtroopers as he gaurded the datavault as Jyn and Cassian looked for the Death Star plans. And when Chirrut went down next only seconds after he operated the master switch to enable the plans to be transmitted was when it started to hurt. I was in disbelief and unable to cry as I watched the rest of the heroes go down in service to each other and the cause of the Rebellion to ulimately save the galaxy.
I'm still processing the amazing Star Wars Story that is Rogue One...and honestly I could say so much more and chances are I will either when I possibly update this post and when I publish more articles here on my Star Wars blog. I know I've said it before and I'll say it again: Rogue One was incredible and a beautifully made film, I don't have it in my heart to say anything bad about it because I loved it too much. It touched my heart on a very deep level to see this next generation of Star Wars film climb to such amazing heights, this film brought together everything I love about the Star Wars galaxy, with the exception of the Jedi and Sith of course, but that's not what Rogue One was about.
It was about those ordinary people who don't posess 'force talents' but that does not make them any less of importance, and I do believe that the story of Rogue One gives an amazing message: You don't have to have a 'special something' to change the galaxy or the world, all you need the belief in what's right, and the will and courage to do it. Even if it may seem small...it ulimately means something.
"I am one with the Force and the Force is with me." -Chirrut Ïmwe
Until next time may the Force be with you!
Blessings,
Rosie
It was about those ordinary people who don't posess 'force talents' but that does not make them any less of importance, and I do believe that the story of Rogue One gives an amazing message: You don't have to have a 'special something' to change the galaxy or the world, all you need the belief in what's right, and the will and courage to do it. Even if it may seem small...it ulimately means something.
"I am one with the Force and the Force is with me." -Chirrut Ïmwe
Until next time may the Force be with you!
Blessings,
Rosie