Provides depth and feeling to the Star Wars universe

Rating: 8/10 (12 January 2017)

In this understated tale from a galaxy far, far, away, we follow the daughter of a rebellious Imperial scientist who has masterminded the one fatal flaw of the deathstar, named Galen Erso. Jyn Erso (played by Felicity Jones) is a despondent pawn in the fight against the empire. After becoming all but orphaned as a child by the war, the film finds her many years later; her self-destructive path has led to her arrest but, due to her connections with an extremist rebel, she is 'rescued' by 'The Alliance'. We then follow her and a group of unlikely heroes who battle their way to an imperial stronghold, eventually retrieving the blueprints that set the scene for the original trilogy.
The film's title is its mantra. It is the Rogue One of the family and stands apart from its flashy cousins, almost as an independent film about rebellion that just happens to be set in the star wars universe. I think what I enjoyed most about this addition to the star wars franchise, is that it has unearthed the nuanced and slightly dejected characters that have to live out their existence in the post-jedi universe. It has, unintentionally or not, shone a mirror to the real-life struggles that overlooked and disparate individuals of political upheaval today must feel.
The film barely sets the scene before darting dizzingly from planet to planet, only pausing for brief moments of slick action and to piece together the motley crew that will take on the empire. The worlds they visit are very much alive and distinct, from the origins of the force in Jedha to where it now resides in the hellish, volcanic home base of Darth Vader. The action, being on a smaller scale for the majority of the film, is gritty and visceral. The final battle brings to the fore images of Dunkirk.
At a 133 minutes long, however, the cast still don't get the screen time they need in order to connect with the story or to each-other and, sadly, in this regard the characters in Rogue One are underdeveloped. With Captain Andor (Diego Luna) slightly boring in moments and the defecting pilot played by the underutilised Riz Ahmed. I would have appreciated slightly better character development in the first half, even though the second half brings what is left together very nicely. The cast being so large, none get to truly find their feet, even the father-daughter driving force of Galen and Jyn can sometimes seem hollow; with all the forced nicknames that come with it. However, the additions of the blind muttering monk and his admiral aimbot sidekick do fill their role nicely. Old favourites pop-up in sometimes forced ways, but I try to remember that this film has its heart in the right place. It is not The Force Unleashed, it is for the fans.
Considering the wealth of characters, the writing does not let itself be watered down. It provides a compelling narrative with characters wrestling with themes of self-doubt; whether, in this rebellion, the end can ever justify the blood soaked means. In Rogue One's portrayal of a darker, meaningful Star Wars universe - this film triumphs. The dialogue and themes underpinning the film are surprisingly forceful (heh). It is a success in providing the much needed depth to this universe, and provides hope for future spin-offs that can stay true to the grass-roots.