No good characters means little emotional investment

Rating: 6/10 (18 May 2017)

While some might claim a movie about the theft of the Death Star plans is pointless, it need not be if we can get involved with the characters. Rouge One (2016) was a nice enough theater experience, but I am shocked by just how bland the cast is, particularly Jyn.
There is no reason why Jyn should be such a dull character. This is a young woman who shuns political activism because of what it cost her family, who feels abandoned and bitter. Her journey from passive to active rebel should have been moving, but it isn't. What is she like outside of the line of duty? I have no idea! It's much the same with the other rebels, who are one dimensional: spiritual monk, cynical gunner, reluctant pilot, the rebel dedicated to the cause. We don't know much about anyone's past in a movie where the past seems to hang heavy over our heroes and gives them additional emotional fuel to fight the Empire; they don't have any inter-team chemistry. This lack of a memorable cast really dragged the movie down and I admit I was bored for the whole first half. When the characters met their tragic ends, I cared little. This movie was a wasted opportunity and it makes me skeptical about the SW spin-offs to come.