The Cast of "Rogue One". Photo c/o Lucasfilm
"Rebellions are built on Hope." - Jyn Erso
For the second year in a row, a brand new Star Wars film has finally graced cinemas and welcomes fans of The Force and a galaxy far, far away back into the fold where heroes seek to battle the forces of evil and darkness in epic battles taking place in space and beyond. This time around, the newest chapter is not part of the main canonical numbered entries, but rather a side story that takes place just before the events of the very first 1977 Star Wars film, which was retroactively called "Episode IV: A New Hope". Directed by Gareth Edwards of "Monsters" and "Godzilla" fame, the world meets a ragtag group of individuals who unwittingly come together to fight for the cause of the Rebel Alliance - seeking to steal the plans of the great super weapon the Galactic Empire has under its thumb and are designating themselves as "Rogue One".
Featuring a diverse cast lead by Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Donnie Yen, Ben Mendelsohn, Mads Mikkelsen, and Forest Whitaker, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story has all the elements of a classic tale of hope, redemption, and fighting for a greater cause and what one believes in. Jones leads the ensemble as Jyn Erso - a young and rebellious woman who is drawn to the Alliance after learning of the whereabouts of her scientist father Galen Erso - who was taken by the Empire to help in the creation of their planet killing weapon the "Death Star". After meeting a band of rebels and warriors while seeking her estranged guardian Saw Gerrera, Jyn's destiny is put in front of her when her father tells her of plans that could help destroy the Empire's space station, leading to a series of events where a brave group makes the decision to "Go Rogue" and fight for the future of the galaxy.
While it is indeed a bold new addition to the franchise altogether, Rogue One makes the unique step of adding a new and fresh way of watching Star Wars in the big screen by steering away from being a numbered film entry and presenting itself as a side story that fits as a "prequel" to the "Original Trilogy" of Star Wars films. While Episode VII was a welcomed return to Star Wars fandom since Disney acquired LucasFilms, this films represents a great throwback to the canon we all grew up with while adding a modern touch and utilizing the advantages today's technology brings to the table. For starters, seeings cameo appearances by well known characters in Star Wars lore was a sight for sore eyes, the most prominent returns being Darth Vader and Grand Moff Tarkin - the latter of which was played by the late Peter Cushing but brought back thanks to to the power of digital technology. Vader of course is voiced once again by the legendary James Earl Jones, and while his appearance in this film is regulated to a few scenes, it's great to see the Dark Lord of the Sith back in the big screen.
Of course Rogue One is about the team who set out to steal the plans of the Death Star, and these ragtag team of unlikely heroes get the job done and add some new fandom to a franchise that continues to grow with each new entry. Besides putting in more Stormtroopers vs Rebels and X-Wing battles against Tie Fighters, there's a great and powerful cast behind the movie. Felicity Jones empowers those looking for more female heroines in her role as Jyn, and Diego Luna adds another conflicted gunslinging rebel archetype to the mix as Intelligence Officer Cassian Andor. Probably a fan favorite presence in this film will be Alan Tudyk as the sarcastic reprogrammed Imperial enforcer droid K-2SO, who just has all the lines to say that will draw audiences to smiles and laughs. Then there's Donnie Yen playing the blind yet skilled warrior Chirrut Imwe - a firm believer in The Force and who's accompanied by Jiang Wen's guntotting Baze Malbus. Then there's Riz Ahmed as the defecting Imperial pilot Bodhi Rook, and finally the main antagonist in Director Orson Krennic as played by Ben Mendelsohn.
Photo c/o Lucasfilm
Overall, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story will give fans the kind of nostalgic trip back to original Star Wars fandom while inserting a tale that has little to do with Jedi and Sith battles and more on the Rebellion and using Guerrilla Tactics to fight the Empire. It's not by all means a perfect film and pacing takes a while to get used to, but it certainly ranks up high alongside its brethren and is better than the "Prequel Trilogy" films in terms of unique presentation. Definitely recommended to fans who want more out of their Star Wars universe.
As the second Star Wars film premiere to see when it showed on my local IMAX 3D theater on December 13, big BIG thanks again goes to Walt Disney Studios PH for the screening of the film!
Rating - 4/5
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