The Force is strong with this one. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story was honestly pretty good.

Rating: 8/10 (19 December 2016)

Although this franchise is popular with fans of all ages, this first stand-alone film in the 'Star Wars' Anthology series is quite dark, violent and downbeat. It's painfully clear that this movie takes the 'Wars' from Star Wars, very serious with high death count and casualties. Even the final of this movie is surprisingly bittersweet, brutal and pessimistic. However, while, it might upset some parents, that the action is too intense for young viewers. For the most part, Rogue One is still an impressive dark and grittier film that mature audience would love, even if it lacks some charm & humor. Not everything, has to be market for general audiences. Sometimes, people loves, when mainstream film go a little edgy. 1980's 'Empire Strike Back' & 2004's 'Revenge of the Sith' are some good examples. While, some critics might dislike this, I love it. It's very uncommon. I like the dark side of the force, sometimes. I have no problem with the enough of violence in this film. At least, the writers try to lighten up the mood at parts with cool cameos, funny one-liners, and references. If you still hate that, then I find your lack of faith disturbing. Maybe, this movie is not for me. However, for me, I was very pleased with this installment. This film is exactly what Disney needed to do from the outset. Fills in the plot lines of the original trilogy and built something unique out of them. Because of that, director Gareth Edwards and his crew made the first Disney produce Star Wars film that actually felt somewhat new in its story, rather than a film depending solely on familiar story-line, nostalgia and fan-service to drive the narrative like the recent rethread (2015) 'Episode VII: The Force Awakens". Set before the events of 1977's 'Episode IV: A New Hope', the film tells the story of a group of rebels trying to stop the development of a super-weapon that could destroy an entire planet. Without spoiling the movie, too much, while it still have the same old-tiresome planet destroying plot line as other 'Star Wars' movie, I didn't find it, as bothersome as other films. However, I did wish, the movie did have more to tell with its story than that. After all, I thought, the relationship between main character, Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones) & her missing father, Galen (Mads Mikkelsen) was a bit underdeveloped, but what do, I know, maybe it's supposed to be that estranged. It was still awkward to see her go from being impartial about the war, to upright, leading the rebellion. That arch wasn't well-delivered. On the other hand, she goes a great job in both the action scenes and emotional parts of the film. Better than Diego Luna as squad leader, Cassian Andor whom a lot of people found, underwhelming. In my opinion, I think, his character was somewhat written that way, as a quiet, trouble-assassin. Complicated, yet layered. If anything, the rest of the Rogue One crew including smart-ass reprogrammed Imperial Droid, K-2SO (voiced by Alan Tudyk), blind warrior monk Chirrut Imwe (Donnie Yen), weapon expert, Baze Malbus (Wen Jiang) and Bodhi Rook, a former Imperial pilot (Riz Ahmed) save this movie from being dry. I honestly care for all of their safety. Not so much for Forest Whitaker as Saw Gerrera, a veteran of the Clone War who I felt was hamming it up. I love the refreshingly diverse cast, even the producers is trying to better market the film for Chinese audiences. Also, I love all the surprising familiar cameos from recurring characters from the other films, even if some of the de-aging CGI was kinda janky. Unlike some people, I did like the work, they did with Grand Moff Tarkin (Peter Cushing). It really look like the actor return from the death. The visuals and special effects were good for the most part. The world-building really did look retro and familiar, while giving us, something fresh to look at. I was impressed with it. Because of that, I thought, the story structure and editing could need some more work. The first half was very slow with all the quick cuts. It really didn't establish, much. Felt too much of a fan-film. Seeing, no opening crawl was also a bit weird. The music by composer Michael Giacchino, that play in the background was just as distracting, however it did get better as the film went on. The second half of the film was a mixed bag for me. I can watch it, but it was a bit challenging to watch at times, due to the themes, they were, going for, with the desert world of Jedha. Too much current real-world metaphors in that part, for what is supposed to be an escapism movie. The third act, felt a bit rush, but yet again. It's a 2 hour movie. Yet, there were also a lot of extensive re-shoots during those final moments, which was pretty jarring to see old scenes from the trailer, missing from the final product. Plus, I thought, they could fit the inconsistencies between what is establish here in this movie and what happen in 'Episode IV', a lot better. There were a lot of things that still, didn't make sense to me, mostly with what was Tantive IV was doing at an open warzone in the first place. Still, Rogue One's strengths far outweigh any trouble spots. Overall: The film is intense, exciting and emotional, with its last act building to a crescendo and offering one memorable moment after another. Gareth Edwards has shown, with the first of these spinoffs movie can still have plenty of life in them, adding even more excitement to Star Wars' huge modern resurgence. Now, go head and witness the power of this fully operational battle station, firsthand.