Greatly raises the bar for episode 8

Rating: 10/10 (14 December 2016)

By far the best production since the original trilogy.
Compared to The Force Awakens, Rogue One is intense, and dark, and deep. The force isn't ridiculously all-powerful and present; the empire is deadly once more; and last but not least: there are no cringing attempts meant to evoke laughter. This movie takes its characters and its audience seriously.
It does borrow materials and characters from previous movies, but without those materials being dominating or annoyingly present. The movie by itself offers a fresh and new story-line.
As we may expect from a Star Wars movie, it is visually a treat. The battles are breathtaking and the audience will experience them as intense. War in Star Wars is deadly and cruel again, and choices in war are difficult and costly in lives.
It raises the bar for the Episode 8 producer, and represents a highly recommended movie for both star wars fanboys and novices.