Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
11/01/17 Filed in: Cinema
Today it was the latest Star Wars film. The Guardian reviewer says that this is a film made for the fans, and I tend to agree with him. It stitches together other parts of the genre in that we now have an insight into how the plans for the death star were obtained, and indeed more background into the Rebel Alliance.
The dynamic duo in this film are Jyn Erso and Cassian Andor, the former being the daughter of scientist Galen Erso, who is regarded as a traitor for working for the Empire. Galen, however, is playing the long game, and while on the face of it he's assisting with the creation of the super weapon, he's at the same time incorporated a weakness, that we all know is exploited in the original Star Wars film. Jyn, played by Felicity Jones, who I wouldn't have put as an action hero but admit to being wrong, becomes a plucky and resourceful rebel after at first eschewing their cause. Her sidekick, Cassian, whose orders were to assassinate Jyn's father, soon falls victim to Jyn's charms, very much a re-run of the Leia - Han Solo relationship that started off frostily and, well we all know what happened.
The threat of the Death Star is not universally believed in the rebel camp and they refuse to take the risk of recovering the plans of the super weapon. In typical Star Wars fashion, Jyn and Cassian take matters into their own hands with some help from a small dedicated band that they've collected along the way. In an imperial ship that they previously acquired this little party make their way to the Imperial garrison on the planet Scarif, where the plans are kept, their only advantage being the element of surprise. The action that follows is classic Star Wars and, of course, when the chips seem to be down unexpected assistance arrives.
The dynamic duo in this film are Jyn Erso and Cassian Andor, the former being the daughter of scientist Galen Erso, who is regarded as a traitor for working for the Empire. Galen, however, is playing the long game, and while on the face of it he's assisting with the creation of the super weapon, he's at the same time incorporated a weakness, that we all know is exploited in the original Star Wars film. Jyn, played by Felicity Jones, who I wouldn't have put as an action hero but admit to being wrong, becomes a plucky and resourceful rebel after at first eschewing their cause. Her sidekick, Cassian, whose orders were to assassinate Jyn's father, soon falls victim to Jyn's charms, very much a re-run of the Leia - Han Solo relationship that started off frostily and, well we all know what happened.
The threat of the Death Star is not universally believed in the rebel camp and they refuse to take the risk of recovering the plans of the super weapon. In typical Star Wars fashion, Jyn and Cassian take matters into their own hands with some help from a small dedicated band that they've collected along the way. In an imperial ship that they previously acquired this little party make their way to the Imperial garrison on the planet Scarif, where the plans are kept, their only advantage being the element of surprise. The action that follows is classic Star Wars and, of course, when the chips seem to be down unexpected assistance arrives.
Ably supported by the robot K-2SO (a reprogrammed Imperial droid), who continues the theme of amiable and extremely resourceful droids, Jyn and Cassian track down the plans for the Death Star but need to transmit the data, requiring the destruction of the orbiting 'gateway' that has been locked down. The obligatory cliff-hangar ensues and it won't be a spoiler to say that they succeed, as we know this from the fact that the data was revealed in the original Star Wars. But their success comes at a cost.
The feel of this film is very much like the originals, with CGI trickery that treats us to much that feels familiar, the most surprising example being the resurrection of the late Peter Cushing as Grand Moff Tarkin. It is, as has been said, a film for the fans, and in this I feel that it succeeds admirably. If you've kept up with the Star Wars story so far you won't want to miss this latest instalment.
The feel of this film is very much like the originals, with CGI trickery that treats us to much that feels familiar, the most surprising example being the resurrection of the late Peter Cushing as Grand Moff Tarkin. It is, as has been said, a film for the fans, and in this I feel that it succeeds admirably. If you've kept up with the Star Wars story so far you won't want to miss this latest instalment.