Good Star Wars film!

Rating: 10/10 (20 December 2016)

Star Wars Rogue One is a prequel to A New Hope. The plot revolves around Jyn Erso, the daughter of scientist Galen Erso, who is forcefully hired by the Empire to develop the Death Star. Galen was working for the Empire before and decided to hide with his family, but he knew eventually they would find him, so he prepared a contingency plan to have Jyn free. Jyn eventually meets the rebels and realising they are not so united as they seem, she seizes this one opportunity to get her hands in the plans of the Death Star on her own, which results in the name of her team: Rogue One.
I can't say more without lots of spoilers. This film is similar to the prequels in the sense that we know more or less how it will end. And probably that is precisely what many people think is wrong with it. But I don't see a problem because I didn't watch the film for its conclusion, I was interested in what was Jyn all about. And I was pleasantly surprised: Jyn's story is an original one, not the same old boring Star Wars receipt of "silly stormtroopers vs typical hero friends" kind of story. It can sound cheesy, but it is about.. hope. Disney will make sure you know it: they say several times the rebellion exists because of hope, and yet they really delivered the message in this film.
I will try to explain: Jyn finds herself in a really oppressive regime. Here we don't see much in the sense of comic relief moments and outrageous luck. Here we watch how creepy the imperial army can be, parading with a tank to intimidate people, enforcing "law and order" and how rebels can be easily put in the position of terrorists. Of course most of these messages are not tossed at your face, but they are implied.
Rogue One is different because it is a sad story. Don't expect happy endings. If you are a great fan of the original Star Wars, you are in for a treat: here you will see what princess Leia means by "this is our most desperate hour", and you will understand how Darth Vader knows she carries indeed the plans to the Death Star and has to dodge bureaucracy to have her arrested her crew killed. You will understand why the Death Star has such convenient weaknesses and you will see the last of Senator Bail Organa. All of that respecting some Star Wars cannon most people don't even know.
I must also point out the fact that some characters are brought back to life with CGI, most notably Grand Moff Tarkin (this is hardly a spoiler since he appears early in the film). It looks somewhat fake though, I guess the jaw doesn't move as it should, or perhaps the skin around the lips is not convincing enough. Maybe we still don't have technology for that, but I respect their effort. Apart from this weird impression, it was otherwise very well done. When Tarkin walks about and is not speaking, it looks like Peter Cushing is alive and well. Even his voice is convincing.
All that said, I don't understand why people are so annoyed about recreating the original Star Wars universe. Some people say that liking these films is like clinging to the past and refusing to change, to move forward, to create new stuff. But hey, what's so bad in reliving the old Star Wars experience? If you don't want to, feel free to not watch the films and carry on. Sure, some things in life are meant to change and move forward, but this is cinema, don't take it too seriously. Also, character reconstruction like Grand Moff Tarkin to me seems like a very new initiative. That's called experimenting. I see no problems in attempting some new tricks with good old stories and watch the results. So, it is an old-fashioned look at Star Wars? Yes, I suppose. Is it a new approach? Yes, I think it is also a new approach. The story is good, give it a look.
About the other characters.. admittedly there's isn't much there I suppose. Probably because there isn't enough time. But Jyn is the focus of that story (all others serve the purpose of giving her a team), and I think her story is well done, so I'm happy with it. I am giving this film an 8 out of 10, because it lacks some character development and the CGI is not mature enough for a 10. I'd risk saying this is probably the best Star Wars after Empire. Fascinating.