Finally, the modern Star Wars movie I dreamed of...

Rating: 10/10 (28 December 2016)

This film is everything I wanted it to be and more. When I first heard that they were making Rogue One in the style of a war movie I was extremely excited though reserved because I felt Force Awakens was awful, unoriginal and disappointing. I simply did not think that Disney would have the guts to make something mature and dark as this story required. When I heard they were re-shooting 40% of the movie, I was extremely worried. Eventually it leaked what they had changed and it actually sounds like the re-shoots improved this film, bravo to Disney for that.
I think a darker Star Wars has so much more depth to it, at its core it is a story of good vs evil. Til now the Evil side seemed a bit lack lustre. I know everyone seems to think Star Wars is for children, well to hell with that - it's for adults as well. Empire Strikes Back was a dark film and it was also the best of the originals. Just because something is a bit darker doesn't mean children cannot enjoy it too.
I gave this film 10/10 because it gave me goose bumps and I left the theatre with my jaw scraping along the ground. It was emotional, explosive and above all nostalgic. Nostalgic in a way none of the films since the originals have managed to achieve. Without giving anything away, one of the final and best scenes captures Darth Vader in the most menacing, terrifying way seen yet on screen. There is no way to dress this scene up in fancy words, it was f'ing awesome. My inner Star Wars child was bouncing in the seat with excitement.
This film is everything I could have asked for and I want to go see it in the cinema again. Well done to the director, Disney etc. In my opinion you made up for the Force Awakens!