Rogue One Is The Star Wars Film True Fans Wanted

Rating: 9/10 (16 December 2016)

I really wanted to do this review without spoilers, but I wanted to talk about a few 'controversial' elements within the film that has sparked a flurry (some good, some bad) of feedback concerning it. But more on that later. This review contains spoilers, minor at best - I'll not spoil plot elements or the ending.
Rogue One has had me worried ever since I saw Force Awakens. I was not happy with FA, not one bit. While I enjoyed the film to a degree, I found it woefully poor, extremely fast paced and it all seemed like a cheap knock-off on the original trilogy. JJ Abrams is the new 'hip director' and that's not a compliment. It's quite obvious I'm not a fan of Abrams, and I would dear hope he is no longer tied to future films (in addition to certain writers, producers).
But Rogue One is a breath of fresh air and contains none of the recycled material that Force Awakens throws at us. None of the marketing shoved in your face such as the riot stormtrooper, falcon with a new dish, chewie armband toy, to name but a few. Sure, Rogue One is going to cash-in on it, but at least I watched the film and immediately didn't think the director wanted me to buy a new toy.
Another thing that is a welcome change to a star wars movie - the 'force' takes a backseat on this one. Well, mostly. There are still elements concerning a character, but at least its not the main character. Instead we are treated to a film that is about the men and women of the rebel alliance. The grunts, the 'little folk' who don't have any fancy force powers, and have to rough it out like the rest of us. It was refreshing.
This film felt right in every way - the pacing fell in that sweet spot. Not too fast, not too slow. Everything moved along at a steady enjoyable pace. The characters felt fleshed out, interesting and intriguing. Attachment actually grew with the characters. Where as in Force Awakens, everything was racing along at warp 10! You can sit down and actually enjoy the film, take in the plot and relax, rather than think your watching a formula one race.
I honestly do not have a bad word against Rogue One. If anything, I wish it was longer. I really didn't want to leave the cinema, and I was somewhat saddened to have it end. But I will surely go and see it again.
Now, I do want to briefly discuss that 'controversial' element that appeared in the film, and certainly knocked me for six! (SPOILER) Peter Cushings infamous character, Grand Moff Tarkin makes a prominent appearance in Rogue One. Not just a cameo, but he pops up several times in the film. I was not only shocked, but pleasantly surprised, and excited. I love the Tarkin character, and I honestly thought they did a great job on it. The CGI Tarkin was flawless. Some people online have been criticizing. Majority of those seem to be so-called 'Moral High-Ground Chasers' who have nothing better to do than complain all day about how the appearance of a dead man made it in the film. As if its some kind of insult to use him in a Star Wars film.
I like to think of it as a continuation of the legacy and legend that is Peter Cushing, and seeing him portrayed near-flawlessly in Rogue One is a treat I did not expect. The critics don't seem to be taking an issue with the younger Leia, but that's because the actress is still alive. So it seems the criticism is mainly geared towards the fact that Cushing's appearance was used. But the Cushing family were involved in the process and aware of it. Did they take issue? No, they didn't, and they were actively involved.
So quite your whining! Rogue One is an excellent star wars film, and it has more than a few surprising 'nods' to the original trilogy, but they're subtle enough that it never breaks immersion.
Go see it!