Great addition to Star Wars, and hopefully the first of many...

Rating: 8/10 (7 January 2017)

Rogue One, being the first of many to come in Disney's new anthology to act in conjunction with the main 'Skywalker' branch is really anything but a spin off. It is a film that fits seamlessly between episodes 3 & 4 filling in gaps and possible plot holes of the original film "A New Hope".
In many ways this film is episode 3.5 due to its ability to fill in and reference points from the original trilogy, and with lingering throwback shots of C3-PO, R2-D2 and blue milk aside, some of the reused sequences featuring original trilogy cast members in unison with amazingly done CGI work: as most Star Wars fans could probably attest to the fledgling nature of it's practice in the prequel trilogy, were used to great effect in bringing back minor and major characters alike. Of particular note being Grand Moff Tarkin originally portrayed by the great Peter Cushing, who is just about brought back from the dead to aid new cast members.
Felicity Jones and Ben Mendelsohn among others were inspired casting choices that paid dividends in bringing the film to life, with each and every character requiring, almost disappointingly, brief introductions before the main plot line, that inferred their place within the Star Wars universe paving the way for a visually powerful story that serves to unite them as The Rebellion.
The imagery was astounding with particular emphasis on scenery establishing shots that really showed the depth of planetary source material available to Gareth Edwards's, with the opening scene on Lah'mu being an excellent example of traditionalist Star Wars trope emphasizing that although this is not Star Wars, it still remains within the same world. And as always, a classic orchestral score, this time composed by Michael Giacchino: a worthy successor to John Williams, aids in the creation of a powerful atmosphere in unison with costume design to recreate that original Star Wars feel that Lucas and others formed over 3 decades ago.
Ultimately the story of Rogue One was entirely predictable, obviously leading into A New Hope, but that did not stop this film from providing laughs, thrills and intrigue that have become synonymous within Star Wars mythology and as a great fan of the series I can only hope that each iteration of this new anthology is as good as the last.