The way Star Wars should feel

Rating: 9/10 (16 December 2016)

After a lot of talks and a lot of rumors all over the place regarding this side-story for the Star Wars Universe. Finally, we get a fitting SW story that feels gritty and looks amazing.
Rogue One has three acts where it first introducing the characters, second part developing the characters to react to each other and set up the mission. Third part an epic battle where the actual plans get stolen. (yeah real spoiler ;) ).
The whole universe of SW in this movie just fits the rest of the original trilogy. The costumes the way the world looks like, the struggles on both the rebel side as the imperial side. It all fits good together.
With the introduction of so many new elements some fall a bit short especially how certain characters interact with each other. Maybe on that front Rogue One wants to push a bit too far. The movie is not long enough to put as much in it as it wants.
So lets talk about the third act. The third act is where the most action and the best visuals during the movie come in. The space battle in this act is just great, visually stunning and great use of the characters. Some you will recognize from EP4. A lot attention went into making this a solid SW set up, there is a battle in the sky, a battle on the ground and a battle in space taking place all at the same time.
The main bad guy shows divided side of the Empire, where you see people are still trying to take control of the powers within the Empire. I myself loved this, the struggles it shows the early stages of dominance. Vader is not used as much in the movie as the trailer might say, but I think this is a good thing. Vader is such a powerful character which would have taken away almost all screen time of the rebels or make the movie a Vader movie. Luckily, they used him for the right moments and the right times.
Again, the gritty atmosphere and the different locations this movie takes places are awesome and a welcome addition to the whole diversity of SW planets. You read about them in books but to actually see them represented in the movie is just awesome.
All in all, the movie was a great experience and if this sets up the rest of the spin off movies than keep them coming. Don't expect a 10 out of 10 movie because there are too many plot holes and other little things that make less sense. But a solid SW movie it is. I would put this one right after Empire Strikes Back in my SW list.
9/10