A great addition to the Star Wars Universe, if a little forgettable

Rating: 7/10 (18 December 2016)

I'm glad that I didn't get hyped up for this film, not because it wasn't a disappointment, but rather because it wasn't the strongest Star Wars film ever. In saying that, where it was good, it was very enjoyable, and certainly offers plenty for fans and average movie-goers alike.
The biggest issue with Rogue One is its messiness - too many characters too soon, a few too many plots and mixed morals. The classic 'good vs bad' basis is less prevalent here, which does offer some freshness, but its replacement isn't as good as it should be. The problem is that the Rebels vs Imperials story clashes with Jyn and her father's storyline and is further complicated by the internal disputes of the Empire and the Rebels. It has some direction, but the result is that the film is stinted by lack of flow; we jump between pockets of each story, and eventually it becomes too much to follow.
The other issue with the story (or stories in this case) is that we get so many characters in such a short amount of time that none get the proper introduction they deserve. I couldn't remember any of the names of the characters, save for the main ones and Original Trilogy ones. Few had very memorable backstories and character development was a little off, though Jyn, Cassian, Chirrut and Baze certainly had their fair share. Speaking of which, Chirrut and Baze were by far and away the best supporting characters, and I did at least feel something when they died at the end. The problem however is that I felt very little for the rest of them when they were killed. It at least wasn't predictable, just without heart.
Thankfully, however, most of the messiness is confined to the first half. Once Rogue One are assembled and away to Skarif, things get far more interesting. With everyone focused on one goal, more time can be spent on the excellent battle sequences that make up the majority of the memorable parts of Rogue One. They are very well coordinated and look absolutely beautiful, particularly with the rendering of the star ships at AT-ATs.
With clear influence here from previous Star Wars films and other war movies, the action is delectable and tense. Smooth shots following star fighters are balanced out with gritty, close-up ground combat sequences that flesh out the film well. Classic tropes such as in-cockpit shots, tense dialogues on starship bridges and old school dogfights were really great to see once more, and added a connection to other Star Wars films. We may not care about the characters as much as the film may want us too, but at least its visually impressive.
Other action sequences such as the fighting in Jedha and the attack on Edu were fun to watch, and the mix of melee combat and gun battles felt new and different, for Star Wars, at least. The clear lack of CGI in many of these sequences provided a welcome relief from what we've become used to from cinema in recent years.
Indeed, the way that Rogue One was filmed felt different, ditching the usual styles of the Lucas movies and Abrams' own style for something that felt more contemporary. In many ways, it was like seeing the Star Wars Universe in a new light.
Some discussion must be made to the inclusion of certain characters; Grand Moff Tarkin was a nice addition, but his CGI face felt out of place and did take you out a bit. Darth Vader's scenes were far better, especially in that ending sequence as he slashes down the Rebels while they try to get the plans onto the Tantive IV, certainly one of the best scenes of the film. The limited inclusion of Vader played to the films strength. Princess Leia's inclusion is something I'm still not quite decided on, though I'm glad she only came right in at the end. It certainly makes Rogue One a perfect prequel to the original trilogy.
Yet in saying that, it's great that Rogue One was just a 'Star Wars Story' - you can take it or leave it. There's no infringement on the other films and if anything, it does very well as an expansion to the Star Wars universe. We get to see some new planets and some other aspects of the Empire, perfect for fans like myself who love universe its set in as much as the films themselves.
Rogue One is, at heart, exactly that, an expansion. It certainly has its flaws in its muddled stories and over-saturation of characters, but its strong action sequences, gorgeous visuals and different style help to improve that. And here's the thing, it doesn't need to be as good as the original trilogy or The Force Awakens, which it will inevitably be compared to. It stands alone in the Star Wars canon, yet offers something for those who watch it, and at the end of the day, is an enjoyable film. By no means memorable, but it certainly does a good job.