Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

[The Joker]

The poster is phenomenal!

[Silver Nemesis]

It certainly is. For me Star Wars has always been the number one fantasy/sci-fi movie franchise, and a major reason for that is the imaginative scope contained within each of the films. Every Star Wars movie is like a Final Fantasy game or a Tolkien novel; sure, there are elements that carry over from one entry to the next, but each instalment is densely layered with its own unique storylines, concepts and iconography: exotic planets, alien races, droids, weapons, vehicles, action sequences. And even though Rogue One is closely connected with Episode IV, it looks like it will offer its own wealth of imaginative new locations, characters and ideas. It's seeming less like a side story for A New Hope and more like a fully fledged Star Wars epic in its own right. The tropical Pacific island-inspired planet is already showing us something we've never seen in any of the earlier films. Hopefully there'll be lots of other unique components that'll allow this film to stand on its own.

While I don't expect this to do as well financially or commercially as The Force Awakens, I'm starting to wonder if I might enjoy it more as a fan. It's a bit early to tell, but so far it looks incredibly promising. I'm generally not very enthusiastic about the idea of these anthology films – especially the Han Solo movie – but this one at least has won me over. I can't wait!

[The Joker]

It certainly is. For me Star Wars has always been the number one fantasy/sci-fi movie franchise, and a major reason for that is the imaginative scope contained within each of the films. Every Star Wars movie is like a Final Fantasy game or a Tolkien novel; sure, there are elements that carry over from one entry to the next, but each instalment is densely layered with its own unique storylines, concepts and iconography: exotic planets, alien races, droids, weapons, vehicles, action sequences. And even though Rogue One is closely connected with Episode IV, it looks like it will offer its own wealth of imaginative new locations, characters and ideas. It's seeming less like a side story for A New Hope and more like a fully fledged Star Wars epic in its own right. The tropical Pacific island-inspired planet is already showing us something we've never seen in any of the earlier films. Hopefully there'll be lots of other unique components that'll allow this film to stand on its own.

While I don't expect this to do as well financially or commercially as The Force Awakens, I'm starting to wonder if I might enjoy it more as a fan. It's a bit early to tell, but so far it looks incredibly promising. I'm generally not very enthusiastic about the idea of these anthology films – especially the Han Solo movie – but this one at least has won me over. I can't wait!

[The Dark Knight]

Star Wars is getting so many slam dunks these days. The Marvel comic series is top quality. I have read the ongoing main line and the Vader series, and boy, they have nailed the characters. The plots are engaging and faithful to the era as well. I also really dig Star Wars Rebels. And Clone Wars. And obviously I liked The Force Awakens. Rogue One seems like it'll be another good outing. I have fallen in love with the franchise again much like my younger self, sitting up watching the original trilogy on VHS on weekends.

[Silver Nemesis]

[The Joker]

Looking good!

I really want Vader to essentially be Jason Voorhees in this. There's difference between his character from what we saw at the end of Episode III and how he was portrayed in Episode IV. I want this film to reflect that. You don't try to reason with him or fight him, you just run for your life, and he's going to catch you anyway.

In fact, I'd almost prefer if he didn't even have any dialogue. Just this looming terror in black who just ... keeps ... coming ... after you. However, having James Early Jones lending his voice to Vader in another live action Star Wars film is undoubtedly going to be bliss.

[The Joker]

Just got back from watching it.

Bottom line, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story was damn good, certainly not without some flaws, but the third act made it the best SW prequel we've had.

Oh, and perfect use of Vader! His scenes were WELL worth the price of admission. 

[The Laughing Fish]

I watched this last week, and I thought it was really good! I was surprised at how it worked so well as a standalone story, and even how gritty it was with all the characters making sacrifices to alert the Rebels about the Death Star. As sad as it was to see Jyn and company perish in the end, it was quite refreshing to see compared to a typical action movie ending where everybody lives happily ever after.

I didn't mind The Force Awakes, but let's face it, it does rehash ideas from the original trilogy. Rogue One dared to do something different and I appreciate it more.

[Edd Grayson]

I watched this last week, and I thought it was really good! I was surprised at how it worked so well as a standalone story, and even how gritty it was with all the characters making sacrifices to alert the Rebels about the Death Star. As sad as it was to see Jyn and company perish in the end, it was quite refreshing to see compared to a typical action movie ending where everybody lives happily ever after.

I didn't mind The Force Awakes, but let's face it, it does rehash ideas from the original trilogy. Rogue One dared to do something different and I appreciate it more.

Agreed. I didn't know what to expect with Rogue One and the ending really took me by surprise but I did enjoy it. Some other SW fans I know didn't appreciate it as much, but I thought it was a great new Star Wars adventure. I also really liked that they set it right before the start of the original Star Wars and so we got to see how the plans got to Leia. I believe Rogue One will still be enjoyable to see again.

[thecolorsblend]

I watched it for the first time a couple of weeks ago. I'm a huge fan of AC Crispin's Han Solo novels and that trilogy of books ended with a variation on Rogue One that affected Han in a very direct and personal way... even though he wasn't really fully aware of it.

I realize those books were never really canon under the old regime anyway. But I sort of liked the idea of Han's ex-girlfriend handing the Death Star plans to his soon-to-be new girlfriend. Passing the baton and all that.

Crispin's Solo trilogy might've gotten nuked out of "continuity" when the EU was scrapped. But we could at least pretend it still happened since continuity and canon are so subjective anyway. But Rogue One pretty much quashes any hope of that.

I dunno. It isn't like it's a terrible movie or anything. I didn't hate it. And it does arguably prove there's more to Star Wars than just Jedi and lightsabers and stuff. But so far, Disney is 0-2 in making Star Wars movies that rank among the original trilogy for me. So hmm.