Going Rogue And Loving It

Rating: 8/10 (22 December 2016)

Who would have thought we would see the day where we would get two Star Wars film within a year of one another? Though Rogue One, given the subtitle of "A Star Wars Story" couldn't be more different from The Force Awakens released in 2015. Though it is a prequel to the original 1977 film ("prequel" being a word likely to strike terror into the heart of even the most casual Star Wars fans after two of the three films in that ill-regarded trilogy), Rogue One couldn't be more different that what has come before in terms of what we've had from the series on the big screen thus far.
Which isn't to say that it not quite being what one might expect is a bad thing, quite to the contrary in fact. Unlike The Force Awakens which worked so well in part because of its playing into nostalgia, Rogue One subverts that. To be fair, the entire premise of the film is rooted in the same elements of nostalgia as that film. Instead of taking familiar elements and story beats, Rogue One builds on references (well the entire opening scroll of A New Hope to be fair) to create a prequel to that all important 1977 film, telling the story of the race to steal the plans to the Death Star. That being said, if you're expecting a puff piece though, you're in for a surprise.
Rogue One takes the familiar elements and uses it to tell something bolder. This is a grittier, much more 'lived in' version of the Star Wars universe than certainly I, as something of a casual fan of Star Wars, has been used to seeing. It's a film that explores what it's like to be the rebels fighting on the front line of the struggle against the all power Empire and what it's like for some on the inside of the Empire's biggest weapons project. There are hard choices to be made on both sides, internal power struggles, and people who just want to get on with their lives without getting involved. In a way, Rogue One is a Star Wars take on the Second World War commando genre with teams behind enemy lines trying to sabotage an all important enemy project, albeit one in a science fiction context and with some more depth to it. If you're one of those people like myself slightly put off by the black and white nature of previous Star Wars film, then this is the film for you as puts some much needed shades of gray into the equation along the way.
Yet this is definitely a Star Wars film. One of the most impressive things about this film is how it takes a few details and turns it into a fully formed two hour story that really, if one thinks about it for more than a moment, really exists to fill in a major plot hole from nearly forty years ago. Yet you would likely never think that watching the film as it presents a highly engaging story in its own right. Not only that but there are Easter eggs and references throughout but not enough to alienate anyone who isn't the most die- hard Star Wars fan including a couple of cameos that will likely come as a surprise if they haven't been spoiled for you already. It's a Star Wars story quite unlike any other as a result.
In telling this story, director Gareth Edwards has assembled quite a cast. Felicity Jones cements herself as an up and coming leading lady with her role as Jyn Erso, a role that is at times written all over the place but made all the more effective by Jones' skills as an actress. Diego Luna's rebel intelligence officer fills in the Han Solo role in effect, something Luna does well by bringing a world weariness (or should I say galaxy?) to the part. They are aided by Alan Tudyk in a memorable droid role plus both Donnie Yen and Jiang Wen in interesting supporting roles. Playing the role of chief villain for this film is Ben Mendelsohn as Krennic who while not on the level of a Darth Vadar comes across as a genuine threat due to his position and his experiences dealing with his project. Mads Mikkelsen gets a memorable supporting role here a scientist who plays an all important role in proceedings, one that leaves him conflicted and torn by his experiences plus Forest Whitaker gets a small but pivotal role in proceedings as well in a memorable series of appearances. The supporting cast is solid as well with several Star Wars veterans returning to their roles from other films in the franchise plus some unused footage and some very skillfully done effects work in a couple of cases. The results are solid all around.
It's hard then not to recommend seeing Rogue One. It's an entertaining and engaging piece of science fiction action/adventure that takes one of the most black and white tales out there and not only fills in some details but gives it some much needed shades of gray as well. It's perhaps too different to be the best Star Wars film but it may well be someone's new favorite film from the series and, if nothing else, it finally proves that the words "Star Wars" and "prequel" might go together after all.