Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

UK Release Date. 15 December 2016
Certification. 12A
Running Time. 2 hours 13 mins
Director. Gareth Edwards
Cast. Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Ben Mendelsohn, Mads Mikkelsen.
Rating. 75%

Review.

Set some time between Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge Of The Sith and Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story tells the story of how the Rebel Alliance obtained plans for the Empire's new terrifying weapon, The Death Star. Forget Anakin Skywalker, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is the prequel Star Wars fans wanted all along.

Saying that, there is no denying the film is a slow-burner. Whilst the cinematography in the first hour is impressive, initially, there is too much cross-cutting and jumping from planet to planet to establish the storyline. This serves as a distraction rather than exposition. However, the final battle sequences for control of the Empire's data storage facility on the planet of Scarif is a breathtaking piece of action cinema. 

Felicity Jones is excellent as Jyn Erso, the daughter of Galen Erso (Mads Mikkelsen), a brilliant science officer responsible for the design of The Death Star. Initially, with scant dialogue, Felicity Jones creates a strong female lead, who is both believable, and likeable. The issue with Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is the supporting cast fail to match Jones and recreate the charm of Rey, Finn and Poe or Luke, Leia and Han leaving Jyn Erso as the only character I'm invested in.

Alongside all the new characters, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story has fleeting glimpses of several familiar faces, but a brief appearance from Darth Vader provides us with one of his most iconic scenes in the series as he boards the Rebel command ship and emerges from a cloud of red mist to decimate a platoon of Rebel troops. Thrilling to watch.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is an enjoyable science fiction action movie. Director Gareth Edwards has skillfully created a film familiar enough, and yet fresh enough to distinguish itself as a worthwhile stand-alone installment that, at the same time, manages to honour the rich legacy of the Star Wars saga.