A reason there is WAR in Star WARs

Rating: 9/10 (2 January 2017)

The most important thing to note about Rogue One is that this is not a Star Wars episode, nor it should be. Rogue One is more than anything a war movie in a Star Wars universe.
Knowing Gareth Edwards is directing it, one thing was certain: this movie will look damm good. Well that would be a massive understatement. Rogue One is a perfection in visual effects, cinematography, sound design, action directing, really technically this movie is gold standard and something that every other film period should aspire to match, despite this being a near impossibility. The only exception is one of the two motion capture characters, which is only in a shot for like 4 seconds and that's it. Gareth Edwards is to be praised for his work on this film. This is easily one of the best directed Star Wars and 2016 movies.
This film does such a magnificent job at just not letting you feel sit comfortably as there is a war raging across the galaxy. It's unlike anything we have ever seen in other Star Wars movies. Our main protagonist Jyn Erso, which by the way was portrayed beautifully by Felicity Jones, is not some who am I, adventure hungry heroine like Anakin, Luke or Rey, nor are the rest of the characters of which we don't learn much, since they aren't meant to look as heroes but as normal people who got caught in this messy situation.
Another praise-worthy aspect of this movie is that Rebellion is also forced into morally ambiguous actions in this desperate time. This is perfectly portrayed through a character of Cassian Andor played terrifically by Diego Luna. On the Empire side of things, Ben Mendelsohn did such an excellent job playing Director Krennic, you honestly feel for him.
Speaking of characterization, the one issue I have with this film is that after the opening sequence the film does drag a bit for the rest of the first act, though it does have moments of brilliance in the mix. After that the movie is pretty much perfect. It also addresses and forever fixes a problem Star Wars fans had for decades and turned it into an in-joke in a very satisfying manor.
The second act is great, but the third act... This is where you are in for some of the best action Star Wars has to offer. And once again it's not a cool lightsaber fight or anything like that, it's a dirty realistic war sequence, where the stakes are high, if they don't succeed it's game over. It's definitely on the closer to the R rating side of PG13.
Oh, and yeah, Darth Vader isn't a whole lot in the movie, but towards the end he has the greatest Star Wars moment since, "I am your father". More memorable than anything in Return of the Jedi, prequels or The Force Awakens (which I loved).
Everything about this movie is just so different, not just in comparison to Star Wars, but against the whole Hollywood norm. It sucks you in this dark and tense world where nothing is for granted, not even your life or peace and who would've thought that it's Disney to do it. The characters never asked to be heroes, their selfless actions and willingness to sacrifice everything made them that.
Just before I sign off, I just have to say that the chemistry between Jyn and Cassian was executed flawlessly. They remind me a lot of Cage and Rita from Edge of Tomorrow. At first they view each other as a troublemakers, but through the course of the film they both realise of the greatness in each other and it all pays of in one of the most gut- wrenching finales there are.
And without spoiling anything, the way the film ends is great, once again very much against the Hollywood norm, but just so fitting to the rest of the movie as well as to A New Hope, which you will never see in the same light as you did before. Rogue One gives gravity to the events in that movie. Just hang in there through the first act and let your mind be blown by the end. And after the credits roll just say to yourself "this is a Disney movie".
"Rogue One, may The Force be with you."