So I manage to watch the new Star Wars film before it came out and I couldn't be more
excited.
I've got to say it was absolutely amazing.
While the film isn't exactly perfect it does do enough to satisfy the inner Star Wars nerd
in all of us.
Unfortunately this video won't be too long and detailed because I don't want to spoil
anything for people who haven't seen it yet but I will say that if you're nervous about
this film?
don't be.
Rogue One is definitely going into new territory here with the tone of the film and some people
don't know how exactly the spirit of the series would do with a gritty and war-like Star Wars
film but let me assure you that if you're a fan of movies like Saving Private Ryan or
Ocean's Eleven then you may like this.
And I know that's weird to say but it is accurate.
This film is an action based war movie with a sprinkle of a heist film in there and it
does fit nicely.
Now without giving away any spoilers let me just say that I did enjoy the characters,
the plot and I liked how the ending of this movie was setup so you could go right into
the next one, reminds me of what they did to the ending of the last hobbit movie.
If you're someone, who in the future, wants to marathon all of the episodes then this
is the one you'd watch right before episode 4 because it does lead into it very nicely.
But unlike the last hobbit movie it doesn't strangle itself with an abundance of CGI so
if you're worried about that?
don't be.
The stuff we do get that does require computer animation fits in very nicely and blends in
without second thought.
The worlds we see in this film do feel very Star Wars-ish and it does feel like people
live here.
Its grounded and a far cry from the lifeless streets of courscant in the prequels.
The characters, especially the main bad guy, do a great job of filling out this movie.
I do like that he does feel like a star wars villain right out of the 70's and is just
over the top enough for you to say "yup this guy definitely works for the Empire".
There are references to the prequels and even the Clone Wars animated series which I did
appreciate because it is scattered enough and not overly in your face but there was
one thing that felt a little shoehorned in and when you watch it you'll see what I mean.
Now like I said this movie isn't a perfect 5 out of 5 for me but let me go into what
I liked and didn't like about the film.
A lot of people weren't big on the characters but I must say I really liked them.
Jyn Erso, the droid K2 and the villain Krennic are the ones that really stood out to me.
A lot of the supporting characters really aren't given enough backstory to make you
care about them too much but they're likable enough that you'd get a little sad when something
does happen to them.
Many critics were complaining about the lack of anything "new" which I understand, coming
from a critic, but as an actual fan of this series?
this movie is refreshing to me considering the last film was basically remaking episode
4 with a Mary Sue lead.
Many of the criticism towards this film is that nothing "wowed" or "surprised" people
which, once again.
I understand but at the same time its probably because it'll be hard to go out of the ordinary
too much to try and wow people while also making a movie that requires a checklist.
This is about the plans for the Death Star and at the end of the day certain things need
to be placed in here so it can slide into episode 4 without issue.
One of the few times I was ever really amazed by a Star Wars story was during the video
game Knights of the Old Republic but that was because it was set 4000 years before A
New Hope and they had free reign to do what ever it is they wanted.
I doubt Gareth Edwards had that much freedom.
I feel like this is probably the best we could've gotten from a story like this without bogging
the film down with too much references and safety nets.
The film does try its best to not give you a typical Star Wars story you've seen a hundred
times so I can respect it for not wow-ing me too much because this type of movie for
this series is taking a risk.
For the critics saying nothing here is "fresh" I wouldn't exactly say that.
There is a lot of new stuff here that we've never seen before and I'm sure many fans will
appreciate it.
Another major criticism people have thrown at this film, and I promise you this isn't
a spoiler, is the lack of Darth Vader.
He doesn't appear as often as some would like but I actually love that.
Now I know it sounds like I'm defending this movie a little too much but hear me out on
this.
I've always hated spin-offs, comics and even video games where Vader is given a plethora
of dialog.
To me that is not who Vader is.
He's not a chatter box.
He speaks when he needs to and the writing for him in the original movies have always
allowed his actions to do most of the talking if that makes any sense.
When I first saw Star Wars I was always a little confused as to what Vader's role in
the Empire was and its basically to stand there and make sure shit is running as smoothly
as possible.
He's an enforcer and in the original trilogy, while he did talk, it was really intimidating
when he was just stood there and you could feel that him being around made everybody
uneasy.
That is his role here, to put an uneasy feeling in everybody and it works.
It's not like in Suicide Squad where they shoehorn in the Joker just so everybody gets
hyped for the movie.
Vader is there because he needs to make sure shit gets done and it also allows for this
movie to slide into episode 4.
I know I keep saying that but they really do a good job of making sure it fits into
that time frame.
But having Vader in the movie a lot would really keep attention away from the characters
who need it.
I've always been a fan of the whole "less is more" way of portraying a character and
I think they did Vader some justice in here.
Personally I only had two complaints about the whole film and one of them I can't really
get into because it would be spoilers but the other has got to be that...motivations
and backstories are really glossed over.
I would've like to know more about several side characters and what drives them and I
would've also liked to have learned more about their past.
Especially Donnie Yen's character who really is a badass but I find it funny how hes one
of the first asians in a Star Wars film and they basically make him a kung fu type of
character which is nice but at the same time...really guys?
But the issue I have with the backstory and all that could've been solved if they had
a 1 hour special on Disney Channel or something with Rebels animation going into details of
some of the supporting character.
That could've knocked it out of the park and would've added to the movie in many ways.
But basically the film, in my opinion, is great.
I don't want to compare it to Empire, because everybody is doing that, but I will say it
is definitely better than the Force Awakens.
The new cast of characters and the tie-ins to the original and prequel trilogy are great
and even Vader manages to pop in and kick some ass.
It's a good addition to help flesh out the Star Wars mythology, and while it does leave
you wanting in some places, its not too much of an issue to spoil the enjoyment.
Fans of the series will find much to like here.
But when you guys do see it let me know what you think and as always Thanks for watching,
be sure to hit that like and subscribe button and I'll see you next time.
Baba Booey