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Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)

Rogue One was the first of the spin off films made by Disney after it brought the rights and the warning signs for what was to happen in Solo were right here in the production. Gareth Edwards was chosen to be the director having done well with Godzilla but there were reports that there were some issues during editing and so it was amazing that this film turned out to be as good as it was. How would a film set in the Star Wars universe work without following the known narrative.

This tells us how the rebellion got the plans for the death star in Episode IV. Its funny how a single line spawned a movie. One of the things I liked about this film was that it tried really hard to tell its own story but doing enough to make sure it tied in with the events of Episode IV.

Guy Henry is used to help with the recreation of Governor Tarkin who was played by Peter Cushing. Henry has most recently been in a show called Holby City in the UK and its obvious as to why they chose him as his mannerisms are quite similar to Cushing’s. The effects used to recreate Peter Cushing isn’t always a success. They use the same technology to give us a younger Leia which does work but its only brief.

Mads Mikkelsen pops up at the beginning as Galen Erso. I liked the character because he is forced to design something evil and gets his own back on the Empire by building a flaw in it that will be used. Mikkelsen is always good in what he does and continues it here. Donnie Yen plays Chirrut Imwe and I think he’s really good in the Ip Man films. Despite Darth Vader being the most notable villain in this film, he’s not really the most interesting. I thought that Ben Mendelsohn was really good as Orson Krennic. He has ambition and is trying to impress the Emperor yet is almost butting heads with Tarkin.

Felicity Jones is the lead of this film and does very well. I think had her character not been so important to the overall story of the Rebellion then her death would have been the wrong way for her story to end but as it is the sight of her standing in the water just as the explosion blast is about to overwhelm her is the perfect way to end.

What makes this film stand out against Solo is that its more anchored into the Star Wars universe and features the Death Star and Darth Vader. Whilst its not a perfect film, I think there is a lot to like and a perfect addition to the Star Wars chronology. Its got good characters both on the good side and bad side of the force and its very well directed and shows that Gareth Edwards can handle big budgeted films just like he did with Godzilla although I think Godzilla is a better film.

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