A confusing start builds to a very entertaining finale.

Rating: 8/10 (22 December 2016)

Movie Review: Rogue One – A Star Wars Story
Disclaimer: for anything bad I'm about to write about this movie, it is easily outweighed by the good. It's fun, it fits where it belongs, and I'm going to see it again and again.
I appreciate the sentiment for 'prequel' stories. Any given story has to take place after previous events (unless they make a Genesis movie), so there's always questions about these previous events. The problem is, a story that answers those questions will necessarily create new questions about events further in the past. Whatever satisfaction is provided by the prequel, is overshadowed by the appetite it creates. In other words, I'm not a fan of prequels. George Lucas himself noted that it was important Star Wars start at 'the good bit', and skip what came before.
Rogue One does fall into this prequel trap. We know how the story ends, so it's simply a matter of connecting the dots so we end up where everyone is expecting us to.
The 'but' is Rogue One does something most prequels don't: it gives us new characters, with unknown fates. We know the story, but we don't know anyone's part in it. There is a story here to discover, and just like reading a map might tell you what to expect, it's still not the same as actually taking the journey.
The most unfortunate aspect of the film is the beginning. There is a tremendous effort given to ensuring we don't confuse this for a 'normal' Star Wars movie. It's not an epic conflict of good and evil, but rather we have some sort of grey area, where it's not entirely clear who are the 'good guys' and who are the 'bad guys'. This is where a surprising number of unanswered questions are brought up. Why is Jyn in prison, then on a prison transport? Who is Saw Gerrara, and why does he matter? What exactly did Bodhi do to get in trouble? Who is this guy in white who is in charge of security yet laughably bad at it, and somehow in charge of the Death Star, even though we saw Tarkin in charge of it in both Episodes III and IV?
As luck would have it, once all these awkward questions are posed they can be safely ignored as the movie gets into gear, and we finally see who is good, who is evil. It IS a real Star Wars movie, there's action, there's comedy, there's camaraderie, there's unlikely allies, there's Storm Troopers who are awful shots (I suppose the guy in white who is laughably bad at security was responsible for their training?)
As the story moves along, we are treated to the best part of a prequel: the fan service. Guy Henry does an amazing impersonation of Peter Cushing as Governor Tarkin. Other characters from Episode IV pop up, usually as a little comic relief, and a few are inserted using original footage from the filming of Episode IV which provides a little authenticity. None felt seriously out of place.
Naturally the two biggest elements of fan service were: 1) the Death Star. We get a better understanding of how it came together, how it works, and how it's seen by everyone. It could have been overplayed or underplayed, but I think it fell right into the perfect zone. 2) Darth Vader. We do get to see what he does in his spare time, plus we get to see how he gets where he's going in Episode IV. We also get to see him kick ass like a good sith lord should.
As the movie moves ahead, the tension ratchets up. We know the rebels are getting the Death Star plans, but we don't know which rebels, or how they'll do it. Is it going to be subterfuge? All out war? The Force? There are many rebels, and they make it clear that it is a rebel ALLIANCE, and like any alliance, there are different points of view trying to achieve a common goal with their own means and ends.
The movie does end in a climactic battle as good as any battle we've seen in any Star Wars movie (and quite honestly, better than most). Again, it's peppered with fan service (so THAT'S why there's no 'Blue Squadron' attacking the Death Star in Episode IV), but it's just a masterful piece of war direction that provides a big picture with consequences, and the small picture character moments that -remind us why we care what happens.
The music is great, Giacchino has large shoes to fill, but the music does fit in with John Williams' previous work while still having its own voice. Yes, he uses Williams' themes for continuity, but it would be jarring if he didn't. The original music is great and still 'Star Warsy'.
As befits a Star Wars movie, the special effects continue to serve the story, giving us an alien world that feels like it exists, and we could visit, and live in. Designs are clearly inspired from previous Star Wars movies, while again featuring their own unique aspects.
Acting hasn't been the defining feature of Star Wars. Certainly there are certain cast members and scenes that are truly fantastic, but as a whole, the acting in Star Wars isn't the main attraction. That tradition continues here. Some scenes work great, others are hamstrung with awkward dialogue, or elements that are forced instead of earned.
So many modern movies have a great setup, and don't stick the landing. Rogue One may stumble out of the blocks, but by the end, it's running smoothly at maximum. For anything bad about this movie, it is easily outweighed by the good. It's fun, it fits where it belongs, and I'm going to see it again and again.
May the Force Be With You.