Resilient

Rating: 8/10 (13 December 2016)

Wow! They weren't kiddin' at all when they said #RogueOneAStarWarsStory is in the same vein as "The Dirty Dozen" or "The Guns Of Navarone." This has got to be the most grounded, most heroic "Star Wars" movie I've ever seen. Because when you take out many of the usual elements that make the Star Wars saga iconic, whats left are the faith and strength of the human spirit.
Behold the first "Star Wars" standalone film, "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story," a new epic adventure in a time of conflict as a group of unlikely ordinary heroes band together on a mission to do the extraordinary: steal the plans to the Empire's most ultimate weapon of destruction, the Death Star. Starring Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Ben Mendelsohn, Donnie Yen, Mads Mikkelsen, Alan Tudyk, Riz Ahmed, Jiang Wen, and Forest Whitaker. Scripted by Chris Weitz and then Tony Gilroy, directed by Gareth Edwards.
A band of misfits teaming up for a common cause, it's nothing unusual in a "Star Wars" saga, after all it doesn't get more of a stubborn misfit than the smuggler Han Solo. But firstly, I'd like to commend "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" for its international cast, I'm sure some of those decisions are based on business in order for the film to do well in certain markets by featuring the biggest stars from that region, but nevertheless, it really adds authenticity to the already diverse group of characters.
Since the story is set between the events of "Revenge Of The Sith" and "A New Hope" a.k.a the original "Star Wars," this film has tons of references that are sure to get every fanboy and fangirl geekin' out because they will pick those up immediately. But do those references distract? Not necessarily, they're nothing more than a wink. The script to me isn't perfect. I guess we'll never know for sure which parts are filmmaker Tony Gilroy's contributions until Gilroy himself breaks his silence, but to me, the film feels like it drags a little, and the conflict within the Rogue One team isn't as impactful as one might expect from such stories. And the resolve seems unearned. But does that hurt the movie in any way? It's arguable. I'd say all of that gets redeemed by its pulse-pounding battle sequences in the final act, something akin to the beach invasion in "Saving Private Ryan."
Actress Felicity Jones is rugged and resilient, hers is unlike any other heroines that this saga had given us over the years. Less elegant and more general-like. Jones pretty much plays it straight the entire film. There's a familial dilemma at the heart of it all, which is expected, since as we all know it's not a "Star Wars" movie without lineal themes. But my favorite in "Rogue One" has got to be Donnie Yen. Growing up in Asia watching all his movies, to finally see him be part of something as big as this, and he actually does quite well in it, I must say that's a good enough reason to feel happy for the man. And his character is as badass as it gets. The new droid, K-2SO doesn't always hit the target when it comes to being the comic relief but when it does, you'll get a few laughs out of it. I think fans will be in an agreement that Ben Mendelsohn as the villain Orson Krennic is incredible. He has that strong, commanding, intimidating presence overshadowed only by Lord Vader whose cameo reminds us exactly why we are in awe of his might.
Because this is a prequel to "A New Hope" which as you know has its own decades-ago graphics, you have to give credit to "Rogue One" for at least attempting to capture much of that look, tone and style, or at least give you the impression of it. That said, as a standalone, does it really need to exist? And if we were to list our favorite, where will we place it among the ranks of other "Star Wars" movies? That is something we the fans would just have to judge for ourselves.