Review of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) by Movie R — 27 Dec 2017

B- (80/100).

Rogue One is a good Star Wars movie. It's also just a pretty good MOVIE, despite a stumbling core in its script, characters, etc. It's not perfect, but it is highly entertaining and impressively made, and to me it fits right in with the original six films. Let's get into it.

STORY: Branching off from the Skywalker story and focusing on this particular point of time in the Star Wars universe is a plus. It goes in an interesting direction, for sure, being a war film as well as a space adventure film. 4/4.

SCRIPT: The script has some great moments and dialogue, and also some cheesy ones. But what Star Wars movie doesn't? My only main problem with the script is the structure and pacing. It feels like there's no first or third act, but rather, Rogue One feels like one big action sequence after another, and it just kind of goes from point A to point B without really developing like a proper screenplay should. The plot made sense but nobody really grew, and so the story kind of didn't either. But I'm torn because, although there's a lack of story and character progression, a lot of the dialogue and tone felt authentically like that of the original six Star Wars movies, and not without being its own thing, which I really appreciated. And they incorporated a lot of the universe as it already stands to help move the along, such as Vader and Tarkin--despite how Tarkin looks in the film. 3/4.

CHARACTERS: They characterize Jyn Erso well by establishing her connection to her father, the creator of the Death Star. The problem of the Death Star having a weakness in the first place is even fixed by these characterizations, which is clever, and rightly praised by critics. Everyone else in the movie is OK but not as compelling. Maybe Bodie and Cassian Andor, but they're not quite as three-dimensional. No character lacks motivation or purpose-- K-2SO provides some humor, Saw Gerrera has an interesting backstory, and Krennick just wants credit for his work, etc. But no one really grows. All that matters is this thing they have to do, and they do it, and they're just disposable characters in the Star Wars universe; then again, they could only do so much to serve this story, which is kind of supposed to be more of the focus than the characters, but to a fault. 2/4.

DIRECTION: It's a well-directed movie; it's exciting, good action. Not great choices in casting and performances, but Gareth Edwards had the right ideas. 3/4.

PERFORMANCES: These are some of the most half-assed performances since Episode III. Force Awakens had some good acting from Harrison Ford, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Andy Serkis, and Domnhall Gleeson. A lot of that comes from star power, I suppose, with Ford, Serkis, and Oscar Isaac. The only two performances I kind of liked here were Diego Luna, Mads Mickelsen, and Alan Tudyk. Maybe even the guy who plays the defector pilot. Everyone else tends to stumble, especially Jones with her accent. They're nowhere near Phantom Menace level, but the performances left something to be desired. I think that's also due to the casting. 2/4.

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Rogue One is beautifully shot, gritty, not slick like the new Saga entries. Great tone and texture. Lovely angles. 4/4.

EDITING: Some scenes and lines of dialog I would have cut or used different takes for, as well as shorted a few shots. The pacing is also due to the editing, but it does make sense. What else can you do with a meh script? 3/4.

SOUND DESIGN: Star Wars is know for fine sound. Here is no exception; although, Vader sounded a little different but whatever. 4/4.

MUSIC: Better than Episode VII; Michael Giacchino transported me to that galaxy better than John Williams in Episode VII. What even... 4/4.

ACTION / SPECIAL EFFECTS: Because the characters are not that interesting, the action scenes loses a little bit of power. But on their own, they're technically impressive and thoroughly entertaining. The CGI is great for the most part, but Tarkin takes me out of the movie. Why not just recast him? Or replace his role with Darth Vader's so we can get a little more of him? Not a fan of the choice they made there. But he's only in it for a little bit, so it's not that bad. 3/4.

Tota points: 32/40.

80/100.

B-.

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Overall, Rogue One is a better Star Wars movie in tone, texture, and authenticity than Episodes VII and VIII; its script and characterization flaws weaken the compelling story, and robs it of a higher place in the saga, but it remains a fun and entertaining entry in the series.