Middle-ing Star Wars Fun

Rating: 6/10 (7 January 2020)

"Rogue One" is the definition of a mixed bag. I find myself in a similar position with this film as I am in regard to "Solo." I like the movie but would never dream of defending it as a great film.
It really is a mess. The characters are mostly uninteresting, the connection between father and daughter that should be the core of this film feels anemic, and the progression of the plot from one sequence to the next is done in an incredibly slapdash way so that even after multiple viewings, I found myself having to refresh my memory about basic plot points.
Luckily, this film is not without its bright points to make the ride more fun. The first of which, for me, is K2-SO. Alan Tudyk ("Serenity") does a brilliant job voicing the reprogrammed Imperial droid with sarcasm, near nihilism, and an endearing love/loathe relationship with Jyn (Felicity Jones, "Inferno"). In fact, K2-SO has become my personal favorite amongst the droid characters of the Star Wars universe. The most meaningful and moving scene of the film may actually be the sacrifice of this character who is more human than the humans in this movie.
Another character to highlight is that of Chirrut Imwe (Donnie Yen, "Hero"). A non-Jedi force believer who harkens back to Blind Swordsman or Warrior Monk tales of Japan and China. His role in the rebellion on Jetta and Scarif is minor but flavorful and brings out the depth that is hinted at in other films when they speak of the force and the legend of the Jedi Knights.
Sadly, this film leaves little more for us to enjoy when it comes to characters. The protagonists are thin and change motivations on a dime. They eat up screen time with their monologues and leave us wishing we got additional time with the minor characters, who are more interesting and endearing.
Another high point of the film is the climactic sequence on the planet Scarif. Not since the assault on Hoth ("The Empire Strikes Back") have we been treated to a battle so engaging and complex. Ground forces tactical movements, an orbital battle that recaptures the magic of the battle over Endor, and numerous moments of personal sacrifice, twists of fate, and moments of triumph make this sequence one of my favorite Star Wars battles. Period.
I for one am not a big fan of using CGI to insert original actors into new films. I personally think they should get other actors to play the part or even simply write around those characters. That being said, the CGI is remarkably good. A few moments of wavering believability do not erase, for me, the incredible achievement that this film has managed to pull off. Grand Moff Tarkin looks great, Leia, a little less so but still solid and serviceable. Even using footage from "A New Hope" to supplement and create the illusion that the fighter pilots from that film are the same as the ones in this battle.
To be fair, though, that is the majority of what I like about this movie. I wish these Star Wars Stories were not so plagued by production, script, and directorial difficulties but they have been and they have suffered for it. Rogue One is no exception.
It has suffered but, if you wade through what is a wildly uneven film, there are truly wonderful aspects of this film to enjoy.