Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Rogue One stands head and shoulders above every other Disney-era Star Wars film. While The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi, The Rise of Skywalker, and Solo struggled to find a fresh identity or narrative weight, Rogue One succeeds by doing exactly that, grounding the saga in the grit and gray of war.

The film boldly shifts perspective, focusing not on Jedi or chosen heroes, but on ordinary people caught in extraordinary circumstances. It masterfully fills a major plot gap: the Death Star's fatal weakness; while telling the gripping story of the Rebel Alliance's first true victory. With morally complex characters like Cassian Andor and Galen Erso, Rogue One paints a world where good and evil aren't so easily defined. Diego Luna brings depth and ambiguity to Cassian, while Mads Mikkelsen's Galen shows how even those within the Empire can resist in subtle, powerful ways.

Visually, the film is stunning, with rich, immersive worlds and breathtaking battle sequences. Michael Giacchino steps up to score the first Star Wars film without John Williams, and while the maestro is missed, Giacchino delivers a memorable soundtrack that captures the emotional core of the story.

Though the pace occasionally feels rushed, leaving some character arcs a bit underdeveloped, the film's grounded tone, compelling narrative, and bold, tragic ending elevate it far above its peers.

Rogue One dares to be different, and in doing so, it succeeds brilliantly. It's dark, emotional, smart, and unforgettable. A must-watch that proves Star Wars can evolve without losing its soul.

Rogue One is the movie we didn't asked for - but what we got was beyond any expectation. Excellent pacing of the movie. As the movie progresses it gets better and better. Culminates in one of the best finales seen in any of the Star Wars movies.

CGI on the past main character seemed odd. But worked well on pilots and scoundrels. Many Easter eggs trough the whole movie are appreciated. Humor from Alan Tudyk's K-2SO was spot on.

Empire Strikes Back is still king of the hill as the best SW movie till date. But Rogue One comes damn close near it.

What has made Star Wars into the internationally recognized genre that it is today? Two things in particular - original material and a touch of humor/wit. Rogue One is a plethora of both. In addition, even in an area where previous Star Wars may have lacked (perhaps even overlooked, understandably), the acting is superb, top of the line. Forest Whitaker may be the most recognizable name in the entire cast, and he kills it every moment as his brilliant, rebellious character, Saw Gerrera. But he is merely the tip of the iceberg in what becomes an epic, near-perfectly written plot that connects episodes III and IV. It is haunting, it is funny, devastating, cheesy, and it is wonderful. It IS Star Wars.

Back in 2016, I delayed seeing this Star Wars product for a long time because I was already disenchanted with the saga and its products. In fact, until recently, that disillusionment continued due to mediocre products that neglected the fan base and focused on other topics.

However, in the case of "Rogue One," it was a mistake to have passed it up.

It's clearly Disney's best Star Wars product, which isn't saying much considering the critical failure of the sequels. But going deeper, the Andor series T1-2 and "Rogue One" are, in my opinion, the best the franchise has ever seen.

A film without much thought, exploiting the events prior to Episode 4 and acting as an Episode 3.5. It's about how the famous Death Star plans fall into rebel hands and its subsequent destruction.

While the film takes many things for granted and perhaps takes a few liberties with canon, it's quite entertaining in its nearly two-hour runtime.

It presents a more or less elaborate character background and quickly sets them in motion based on the plot, culminating in the events of Scariff and its final episode.

I particularly highlight the character of Cassian Andor, who earned his own series years later. His dynamic with the rebel leadership, his connection to K2-SO, and his motivations are compelling, even more so after two seasons of his series.

Jyn Erso is a strong, well-written female character, with her own motivations and flaws. Tony Gilroy achieves what no one else has achieved in recent years with regard to female characters in the saga.

Admiral Krennic, with an excellent Ben Mendelsohn, is a great counterpoint who fulfills his role as the villain very well.

At the same time, we have fantastic cameos like Princess Leia, Moff Tarkin, Saw Warrior, and of course, Vader... that final scene where he shows us everything we always knew he was but never got to see: the barbarity, the violence, the Force focused on the Dark Side, it's brutal, it's pure history within the franchise.

I don't think I have much more to say; rewatching it really improves the experience a lot. Thanks to Andor for allowing me to enjoy the magic of Star Wars in its natural, unadulterated state. I wish we had more projects like this, but oh well... it's not that easy.

Rogue One is, by far, the best Star Wars film to be released since the original trilogy. A fantastic cast of original characters, still hitting on the popular characteristics from previous fan favourites, seek to complete a daring mission which ultimately sets up A New Hope and the whole Star Wars saga.

Instead of trying to reinvent an already successful formula, this standalone story modernises the approach of the original trilogy. Dialogue is powerful and used to set up the action of a Rebellion, and characters clash to create energy on screen. Some of the best moments from the original trilogy even return in new scenarios, making an impact but not stealing attention from the plot; who doesn't want to see an AT-AT on a beach?

Well tied to the canon set chronologically before and after Rogue One, links to the prequel trilogy are limited, but heavy connections are made to the Clone Wars series. Despite no focus falling on previously established characters, the plot is the perfect backstory to a significant event in the Empire's downfall.

There is a great figurehead to represent the Empire, understated and without garish traits, but evil. It is a fantastic special effect to bring back Tarkin, who remains imposing, and Vader is used in perfect doses, making limited but incredibly impactful appearances. One these being one of the best finales to any Star Wars film.

An aesthetic joy, the film is visually wonderful due to brilliant costume designing, props and locations. CGI is used effectively, and at no point does it seem like everything on screen has been thrown in for the sake of it, unlike the prequels. The film is visibly clean and clear cut. The score, too, fits themes excellently and really sets the tone.

Without a significantly direct tie to the Skywalker Saga, cinematically, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is arguably the best Star Wars film yet.