Disney Goes Bleak this Time Around... and it Works

Rating: 7/10 (20 December 2016)

Star Wars: Rogue One focuses on a team trying to capture the plans of the Death Star right under the Imperial's nose. That is all you need to know going into this movie. Well that and the fact that Rogue One takes place before the original trilogy but far after the prequels. It was a great set up movie for A New Hope.
I would like to point out the fact that this movie felt more like a Suicide Squad movie compared to the DC mess we got in August. The whole story was told in such a dark tone. The mission they went on no one else wanted to take or for that matter thought could be accomplished. The team consisted of members that one could deem anti-hero's as they did both morally just and unjust things. Audiences didn't care about their pasts and still rooted them on when times got tough because they were given enough backstory on the main two characters.
As for the minor characters they all did well in their limited screen time. Especially K-2SO, I didn't understand the praise people gave BB-8 as he seemed like a rehash or R2 but people like what they like I guess. K-2SO was very funny. The jokes were well timed and were fitting for the situation the team was currently dealing with at the time.
I found the action to be very entertaining as well. I've heard people say there is too much of it but compared to today's action blockbusters I'd say the movie is well balanced. When I think of too much action my head goes to the Transformers movies as they are a real headache to sit through especially in the theaters.
The sets looked nice and well done and the face rendering work done was top notch. I truly wasn't expecting to see Mr. Cushings face on the screen. I was half expecting the role to be recast but I was happy it was not.
The only real fault with this movie is the lack of a larger story. I know the movie is meant to be a little piece to the SW universe but I can't honestly give a movie that is focused on action scenes and basic story higher than an 8. An 8 is still very good in my book.