A dark but brilliant side tale to the star wars story (spoliers)

Rating: 10/10 (28 January 2018)

I am puzzled by the negative comments to Rogue One as a lot of people rate ESB as the pinnacle of star wars movies and i'm guessing the whole reason for this is it's all about the plot, the end being of course a real WTF moment. Whilst i still think ESB still holds the ace card for being the best in the whole series, i think Rogue One is a close second.
Again, the reason for this is plot. I loved Rogue one for being gritty and there is a real sense of desperation in this movie (people being murdered for knowing too much and orders to kill, also loved the flashback to jin as a child and her father associating with director krennic). The rebels are on the back foot with the empire creating the ultimate machine to inflict terror on anyone who gets in their way. And this is another great point, we see the true terrifying power of the deathstar and its ability to obliterate anything in its path.
I have also read comments about there not being enough of the jedi, and I would ask people to look at the end of the first 3 movies (ok, they're not great) but the jedi were almost wiped out and so are hasbeens of a cult long forgotten with only a smattering of believers still left. Again, adding to the desperation of the rebellion.
There are moments which are a little annoying, it's a little erratic at times jumping around a little too much. but it is trying to tell a true story of self sacrifice.
As for the finale, the beach scene, i personally think it will be remembered as one of the best scenes in a star wars movie. It is truly beautiful and i don't think even Crait in the last jedi comes close to the magnificence of scarif.
Coupled with some light humour from K-2SO, a reprogrammed imperial droid who is a lovable and brilliant.
I also read that people are commenting on the lack of character build up, but in truth this is a one off story there isn't time for complex character build up. You have to appreciate the sacrifice that the characters made in order to get the plans away and i think it does this amazingly well.
As for the darth vader scene at the end, i don't think i have ever seen a darth vader more menacing, brutal and brilliant. If there was ever a scene that conveyed this mans anger, power and general hatred, this is it and its given to us in spades.
Its not without its failings, but I will forgive some of the minor flaws in the storybut all in all i loved it. In terms of the force awakens, i just found it a rehash of the original movies. i'm sorry, I wanted to like them, but I didn't find anything original in them at all.
In my humble opinion and im sure that I will be flamed, but Rogue one was brilliant.