Review of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) by Frame R — 03 Apr 2018

The deep shaft loving franchise is back and this time, we head to the beach!

The truth is that there's no franchise like Star Wars. It's every producer's dream to make a fairly low-budget and transform it into one of the most profitable sagas in history. Last year, I was blown away by The Force Awakens, I was so surprised that Abrams, despite having the weight of the world on his shoulders, was able to make a movie that encased all that a Star Wars movie should have while taking advantage of the technology the original trilogy didn't have. With this film, the stakes are much lower, there isn't nearly as much buzz around it, people didn't have enough waiting time to expect a flawless feature film. I was skeptical that Gareth could deliver it because of his previous films, but this movie is quite good! There are some interesting new characters in the mix like Jyn, Cassian and Saw and too many forgetful ones and the performances are really strong. It would be unacceptable of me not mentioning Ben Mendelsohn's depiction of Krennic which was the best character in the movie. That, ladies and gents, is a villain - subtle, suave and wickedly enjoyable. I hadn't noticed Ben yet but I'll certainly be on the look out. I might say he holds his ground next to Vader (just in this movie!!), who is not shot in a proper fashion and while the voice is there, the presence is less menacing (though he's introduced quite nicely). It's also gratifying to see a Star Wars film that's almost completely war-centered. It's not about the entire war against the Empire, it's just a battle to be lost. If you'll allow me, it's not about WWII, it's about Dunkirk. And it effortlessly fits into the franchise as it becomes what Wicked is to the Wizard of Oz, an expansion of the universe of the characters and justification of their actions and the plot holes (what was off, became in). Furthermore, the music is great, nostalgia isn't blantaly explored and the cinematography pairs with wonderful visual effects to make a remarkable world. Yet, the fist part of the second act could be improved and the way Gareth shoots all of it, though effective, is by the books. Also, as I've said, many characters don't get to be developed enough for us to care, some are archetypes that follow expected story bits, as it was all part of a mass production (and is it not?). But in many ways, this is what popcorn entertainment should be all about! Don't expect a Force Awakens but be prepared for a rebellious movie!

Spoilers.

What I have also enjoyed is how fatalist this movie is. It's literally the only blockbuster I recall that kills all the characters we root for. ALL of them. Not even K-2 is spared. This has a wonderful result of actually raising the stakes. We knew what the outcome was going to be like before we watched the film, we know that the plans we're going to get stolen. The spoiler is actually in a 40 year old movie! This is delightful as I love to see a movie where evil, regardless of the future Alliance achievements, kind of wins over the good guys in question (but of course the movie doesn't treat it as a loss).