First half: boring and characterless, second: Epic and amazing to grand proportions!

Rating: 7/10 (4 January 2017)

I went in to this movie and didn't know what to expect, since I saw this movie as a watershed for what people thought of it. I want to divide this movie-review into two parts, the first stretching from the opening scenes to just before the rebels get to Scarif. Hence the second from the Scarif opening point till the end.
Beginning with the first part, the characters are presented and the premise is slowly but steady being set into action. However, the story that you are being told raises more questions than answers, in my opinion. That can be summarized into the plot-characters being pretty bland and questionable in their opinions. For example: Saw Gerrera's and Jyn's relationship isn't shown and told that much and makes the viewers feeling indifferent to the moment when you are supposed to feel for them. Another example is Jyn's opinions regarding the rebellion. She starts by saying that the Empire's possible ruling over the galaxy, isn't a that big of a deal if you just: "don't look up on the flag". And then later makes a fast turn and openly speaks on the rebel- meeting about they must continue to fight the Empire! This is not clear why she just switched her opinion that quickly, because of the plot maybe? But hey, no more cynicism, for now I will continue with the second part (AKA the part that makes this movie and raises my 7 rating to an 8). When the rebel-squad led by Cassian and Jyn, arrives on Scarif and whole hell breaks loose, the movie changes rapidly for the better. The action and battles are amazing, the plot is instantly better and more interesting and the characters that are brought forward are recognizable and thereby more likable, in my opinion. It's epic, good looking, funny, sad and jaw dropping all at the same time, watching the rebels taking on the Empire. The "multiplot" that sets into action during this part, with the audience being allowed to follow several plot-characters and their whereabouts, works very well and unites good in the ending. Also seeing Darth Vader kick some butt was very pleasing and a nice touch.
Story: 7 Characters: 6 Effects: 9 Fan pleasing: 10 Overall it gets an 8 from me, first part being an weak 7 or almost an 6.