Quite disappointing

Rating: 4/10 (16 December 2016)

I just finished this film about half an hour ago, and I decided it deserved a critique. I wouldn't give the film two thumbs down, but perhaps one down and the other kind of sideways. Only Disney could take the Star Wars franchise and turn out a film that is a tragedy (as a genre). I have never seen a Star Wars film where everyone dies, even the droid. Most of the film felt like a a sequel to Apocalypse Now set in Florida. The dialogue was atrocious. If I hear someone say "hope" one more time, not to mention the bazillion lines they copied and pasted from the original trilogy, I'm going to do a Vader choke on someone. The only part of the film that felt authentic was the last ten minutes (Darth Vader killing rebels; and a young CGI Carrie Fisher making her escape from the dark lord). 3PO and R2 had the most awkward cameo, as did other characters. The overall feel of the movie was much too emotional. If the cast had not been tragically... eliminated, the story may have had some "hope." Instead the film made me want to cry and curse at Micky Mouse. To put things in perspective, let's use Episode IV: A New Hope. Rouge One was the equivalent of having R2 and 3PO killed by storm-troopers, Han Solo killed by a stray grenade, and Luke and Leia embracing on a planet as it disintegrates around them (picture Jack and Rose on the Titanic).
The technical aspects also deserve a mention. There was no traditional Star Wars scrolling titles, just a bland title with no creativity. The absence of the main title score was a huge blunder, I will not speak of the Rouge One score 🤐. The use of CGI... let's just say that even George Lucas would have used less. However, the recreation of actors in their youth was quite impressive.
If you and your family are looking for a fun and exciting Christmas Star Wars film, this is not it. You will feel left empty inside, with nothing but "hope" for a better film next year.