by RaZoR LeAf » Mon Jan 02, 2017 6:30 pm
I'd go as far as saying Rogue One was better than Force Awakens. It's a difficult film to make when you consider that you know how it ends. It's a direct prequel to A New Hope, so the final outcome you know is going to be them getting the plans out to the rebellion. What's great about the film is how connected you become with the characters in such a short period of time, whilst simultaneously knowing you're not going to see them again (ANH is already established with none of the RO characters in it aside from Imperials).
The cameo features, and little hints that tie the films in to the series were great, especially the digitally added Gold Leader from the Death Star run. I wasn't too fussed on Tarkin, he looked good when still, but when upclose the effect reminded me a little too much of Dobby from Harry Potter. It's great CG, but not entirely convincing. Likewise, Leia's cameo at the end was a little too smooth. I was also so pleased that there was a considerable drop in humour in the film. K2 had some great lines, but the droid wasn't played up for laughs like C3PO or BB8, nor was there any kind of slapstick Jarjar character.
Overall, the entire concept behind the weakness in the Death Star was brilliantly planned and helps explain that obvious weakness that in when seen just in ANH, was a big gap in the story. All the characters were well written and likeable, and it is a pity we're not going to see them again (except in the off chance of cameos in further prequels like the young Han Solo film) but that's the curse of good story telling and what makes the film draw you in.
Spoiler: Everyone dies eventually, the secret to immortality died with Darth Plagius' apprentice.
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