Film Review: Rogue One : A starwars story

Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

Cert: 12A
  

Director: Gareth Edwards

Screen writer: (screenplay) Chris Weitz and Tony Gilroy , (story by) John Knoll and Gary Whitta (story by)  (based on characters created by) George Lucas 

Starring : Felicity Jones , Diego Luna , Alan Tudyk , Donnie Yen , Wen Jiang , Ben Mendelsohn , Forest Whitaker , Riz Ahmed , Mads Mikkelsen , Jimmy Smits , Alistair Petrie , Genevieve O'Reilly , Ben Daniels , Paul Kasey , Stephen Stanton 

Running time: 2h 14min
 
Parents advised to read before viewing film as some scene may contain scenes unsuitable for younger viewers.

Sex & Nudity: None

Violence & Gore: There are many combat scenes depicting skirmishes between the Rebel fighters and the Imperial troops, with laser gunfire and explosions peppered throughout the scenes.

There are also space battle scenes where various spaceships attack one another.

Despite the number of battle scenes, there is very little portrayal of injury or bloodshed.
Profanity: none

Alcohol/Drugs/Smoking: none

Frightening/Intense Scenes:  Set shortly before the events of 'Star Wars: Episode IV', 'Rogue One' centers on Jyn Erso, an outlaw recruited by the Rebel Alliance to steal the design schematics of the Empire's new super weapon, the Death Star.

Story: Jyn Erso, a Rebellion soldier and criminal, is about to experience her biggest challenge yet when Mon Mothma sets her out on a mission to steal the plans for the Death Star. With help from the Rebels, a master swordsman, and non-allied forces, Jyn will be in for something bigger than she thinks.

Likes : In the words of Darth Vader "Very in impressive , Most impressive !!!!! Going in this film i was a little worried that this would be just another disaster from Disney like star wars 7 was , but i was very impressed with this film actually rising my expectations.

It was a bit weird that there wasn't a rolling star wars theme giving the film base story at the beginning but to be honest it didn't really need it as we all know the story of Rogue one anyway.

If you can get past this point the rest of the film build up nicely giving you a back story of  Jyn Erso played by ( Felicity Jones ) & Galen Erso played brilliantly by (Mads Mikkelsen ) before give the main title of the film , which was actually done brilliantly which shows some effort has actually gone into this film.

Director Gareth Edwards (Director of 2015's Godzilla) has actually done this film better than what we got from J.J Abrams with star wars 7 by giving a better written story that not a mess , at the same time fix's a few problems from the original film's that including the death star destroying planets as we are given a seamless C.G.I action of the planet surface actually breaking up.

This was a awesome way to actually showing the power of the death star that wasn't shown in the original film's , after watching this you can only imagine the full power of the death star laser weapon if it actually use all the reactors (Destruction level times 200).

The visual effects in this film are just outstanding with some of the best flawless C.G.I i've seen in a film for a long time with Planets , death star & space battles as well as the Jedi temple's , not one scene feels out of place as it actually gives the full old school style that fit perfectly with the original film's.

With two original characters returning which i can't give a away , the only thing i can is that one is older now but the C.G.I effect to make her look as they were in the original film was seamless it was like going back to the 1977. The other actor who past away several years ago the C.G.I effects on the face you could swear they just brought them back from the dead it was that brilliantly done.

Felicity Jones is pretty good acting wise in this film giving a harden rebellious person which you can see from her past , she not too bad as the hero of the film although their was one scene she didn't come off so well on screen.

Diego Luna is actually good as Cassian Andor he’s acting is solid show a believable character on screen , although you do notice that he seem be given two separate orders which he has a problem with which seem to indicate he doesn't like he order.

Donnie Yen seem to have Jedi reflex's i believe from what is being told on screen that his character use to be a Jedi trainer , but seriously this guy come off on screen a badass when you see him taking out stormtroopers with just a stick lol which just make your jaw drop this was impressive to put in the film.

Mads Mikkelsen is a brilliant actor although he not much in this film which is a shame because he a season actor , it seem his role in this film was only a cameo with a few scene which is a ashame i feel he could of been in the film more.

The best character in this film has to K-2SO (voiced by Alan Tudyk) Unlike 3CPO ; k-ZSO was actually more funnier & a bit sarcastic at times which made him the best character in the film , with his quick comments & manor he stand out more in this film.

Forest Whitaker Again kind of like Mads character more of a cameo , not really sure of the voice he was putting on but you could understand why because he having breathing problems.

Ben Mendelsohn playing Orson Krennic was actually good acting & on screen presence not like Vader but close to it but come off as glory hunter like he want apprehension for everything he does like an arrogant ass hole , this is where it gets funny with the scene with Darth Vader when he start getting arrogant you're just sat there in the chair think not wise which is great.

One thing i loved was when Darth Vader came on the scene in the film, as one of the best villain's a film he still give you goose bump in ore of he presence with James Earl Jr still doing the voice overs , just awesome on screen.

Despite a few flaws here & there this was actually better than star wars 7 , i feel after watching this director Gareth Edwards should be contracted to do the rest of the star wars films as this is actually better done & far superior to the other star wars film done.

As like i said the visual effect are just flawless & it actually feels like a star wars film that star wars 7 should of felt like , with it ending there is a bit of sad moment toward the end but for those that know that Princess Leia Organa got the plan's but didn't know how she got them , well now you do from this film as it set up the ending perfectly for star wars 4: A new hope.

So if you were disappointed with star wars 7 force awakens well i'm happy to say this should put your faith back in star wars as this was brilliantly done , despite a few flaws.

The battle scene are intense & fast flowing , what great about the scene shots is the camera work show the massive of the AT-AT with a style camera angle from the soldier aspect look up at them. There is also i did notice a ship that look's like it from the old republic , if you've ever played Knights of the old republic your understand what i mean when you watch the film as it kind of used a battering ram with spectacular style.  

This is a highly recommended film to watch & a vast improvement.  

Dislikes : Some characters in this film seem to be a light hollow like these are just use to fill up characters in the film when some of them should've of been better written in with character development.

Darth Vader all though still has style & presence on screen felt pointless in the film when he hardly in the film , more of a cameo when we see him more in the other film's. I feel he could of been in the film more. So if you're going into this film expecting to see more Darth Vader you will walk away disappointed there.

Overall : Vast improvement over star wars Force Awakens , Flawless C.G.I visual & brilliant acting.  

Rating: 5 out of 5 for Entertainment / 9.1 out of 10 for concept.