Where's my opening crawl? How will I know what's happening?

Rating: 10/10 (11 November 2017)

Rogue one.
It looks like a Star Wars movie, It sounds like a Star Wars movie but does it feel like one? I settle into my seat, there's the 20th century fox fanfare, there's the Lucasfilm logo and those famous words "A long time ago in a galaxy far far away" then... Alright come on where's my opening crawl? You can't have a Star Wars movie without an opening crawl! How will we know what's going on? No wait this looks Star Wars...ish! I settle back down into my seat and the magic begins to wash over me.
Rogue one is definitely a Star Wars movie and a bloody good one too. Apart from the early planet hopping that is more distracting to the story than helpful the movie soon settles down to a nice pace where characters interact with one another and we begin to root for them. This movie has its own feel. It's more gritty, even grimy perhaps? The characters of this movie aren't squeaky clean heroes. They have a little more depth and aren't afraid to get their hands dirty to get things done. Diego Luna's character (Cassian) displays this early on when he kills a defenseless man by shooting him in the back in order to save his own skin. Felicity Jones's lead role of Jyn Erso isn't your typical female hero either. She is a survivor at first reluctant to get involved with the Rebellion. A person who through the course of the film becomes willing to give her life for the greater good. Donnie Yuen as Chirrut Imwe has a wonderful Camaraderie with Baze Maibus played by Wen Yiang. They are Guardians of the Whillis. Monks who once protected the Kyber temple on Jedha. The temple holds the key to the Death Stars destructive power. With no Jedi left, the temple has fallen into the hands of the Empire who raid it of its special crystal. Chirrut and Baze join Jyn and Cassian along with K-2S0, a reprogrammed Imperial droid with a team of rebel volunteers to steal the plans for the dreaded Death Star. K-2S0 played by Alan Tudyk is the superb comic relief this movie needs. A very welcome addition to the Star Wars universe unlike the extremely irritating Jar Jar Binks from Episode I. Mads Mikkelsen plays Jyns father Galen Erso, the man responsible for designing the Death Star. A man who's conscience overwhelms him when he realises the monster he has created and is then forced to finish his destructive masterpiece by the evil Orson Krennic. Ben Mendelsohn relishes the role of the dastardly Imperial officer and is one of the films stand out performances.
Anyone familiar with the opening crawl of episode IV will already know the outcome of this film and the fate of its heroes, but it's the journey to where this story ends and A new hope begins is what is so intriguing. The story of how those Rebal spies stole the plans to the Death Star and helped save the galaxy. Without those band of individuals there would be no New hope.
A difficult task for director Gareth Edwards to achieve was to make the audience care for the characters by developing them sufficiently within the movies run time. After all we haven't grown up with this bunch of heroes like we have with Luke, Han, Leia and Chewie. Edwards does achieve his goal and has crafted a movie that slots perfectly between Episodes III and IV. As soon as this movie ends you'll be sliding A new hope into the Blu-ray player with an urge to see more Vader. Bringing me on to the point why most people will go see this movie. Darth Vader. The baddest bad-ass in the universe. One major disappointment with the prequels is that we didn't get to see enough of the man in Black. Except for that horrible pantomime end scene when he wails "Noooooooo!!!" If there ever was a moment that made me want to put my foot through my plasma screen then that was it! In Rogue one we get the scene we've always hungered for. Vader kicking some rebel ass like only he can. I swear when his lightsaber ignites and he starts slaying those poor dudes I was like "Yes! Finally!"
Rogue one is a good Star Wars movie. Possibly my fifth favourite fitting in nicely behind the original trilogy and The Force Awakens. It stands out though due to the way it was made. The special effects are designed to look reminiscent of those from the first trilogy. Not too much CGi polish. There's a practical realism to them. More miniature models than computer wizardry. There's a texture to the environments on screen. Unlike the green screen fakery used in the prequels. The whole experience is well worth it due to the love and affection that is apparent. Everyone involved in making this film has a deep devotion to the Star Wars universe and it shines through on to the screen.