Rogue One Review:The Force Is Strong With This one.

Rating: 9/10 (22 December 2016)

Rogue One Review:The Force Is Strong With This one.
The Force is strong with this one.
Last year - JJ (ironic to have the same initials as Jar Jar, arguably the most hated character of the Star Wars universe) Abrams resuscitated the behemoth franchise we all grew up loving and watching melancholic-ally its untimely demise with those prequels, even though the prequel movies had their moments.
Disney owned Lucas-films first joy ride was bereft of any risks. Considering what JJ had to sift through the prequel mess made before the turn of the century, the new awakened force gave us a somewhat unoriginal plot, a new leading lady and an intriguing villain. Also For oldies like us it was an reunion of the three leads. It had everything we loved about star wars, the pre 21st century saga. Still it felt somewhat hollow.
Fast forward to the present, we have a Star Wars spin-off saga Rogue one. Instead of going for space opera of the mainstream Star Wars films, the planned spin-off movies of the future will be dealing with individual struggles and stories. Therein lays the biggest challenge for this movie. Star Wars franchise minus the legends of Skywalkers and Han Solos of this universe, this movie needs to deliver. Whether it does is something we just find out.
As an avid Star Wars fan, just a glimpse of Darth Vader (arguably the best villain of previous century) is enough to incite the fanboy-ism within. So the hyped excitement, not as much as the Force Awakens was still considerable,
The movie is set just prior to the events of new Hope. (Episode 3.5 maybe?)
The premise of the movie sets up the Star Wars A New Hope nicely. Empire is building the biggest weapon humankind has ever seen, the Death Star. While watching A New Hope if you ever wondered why the Death Star had such an obvious weakness in otherwise impregnable fortress, its answered here.
Positives
In arguably the movie is most visually stunning of the Star Wars universe; even surpassing the Force Awakens. The space battles are epic; nothing else even comes remotely close. It reminds you of the Lost Fleet saga books by James Campbell. The climax, albeit lengthy, characterized with stupendous action sequences is brilliantly crafted as well as portrayed. Character performances stand commendable, cinematography magnificent taking the movie to a different level altogether. Director Gareth Edwards leaves no stone unturned with sublime visuals, point of view (POV) shots of the X wing pilots captivating the immersive experience to yet another level.
Now let me let loose the fan boy inside me. Tighten up the seat belts guys for here comes the Darth Vader! His appearance on screen is nothing short of hypnotics. His parsimonious screen time, even lesser than the Joker in the Suicide Squad, calls for all praises. He defines intimidation. These few minutes will compel you to watch the prequels all over again. Full marks here to the cinematographer Greg Feiser! Panoramic shots of the planets and vistas are resplendent; a treat for the viewers' eyes. Production design stands impeccable. Different Worlds are quite well etched out. Even the Easter eggs and cameos are tastefully done and are not in your face.
Negatives
The movie has its flaws.
Character development stands compromised over pacing. Editing is choppy. The pace of the movie is relentless, even though some of the initial parts drag. Some clichés do hamper the fluidity, like a crying child in the middle of the war-zone. Then a necklace that has no relevance to the story. Music stands inferior as against the earlier series. The fan boy inside me stood dejected as to how Un- Star Wars this movie turned out to be. The movie began without beloved text scrolls. Light Sabre's show up only towards the end. Although, I am just nitpicking here.
Spoilers ahead...
The movie makes some bold choices. Almost entire billed cast stood wiped out which was quite apparent with none of them appearing in the sequels. Bravo, yeah! Now the Death Star takes a menacing form as we see and experience its fury twice during the course of the movie. That the weapon bespoke devastation and terror has been portrayed beautifully here.
Well all said and done this could have been a standalone movie; say a masterpiece in itself. Now that it forms element of the Star Wars saga makes it all the more special. Moreover, this series deserves the same pedestal as the "Star Wars Empire Strikes Back". An achievement that you cannot afford to miss. Go get going and experience the force in its full glory. Let the Force be with you!