Star Wars: Rogue One

RATING: B-

One of the interesting (and slightly unnerving) things about when Disney acquired Star Wars was the announcement that besides the new trilogy, there would also be these "Anthology" films; spin-offs that didn't carry episode numbers and thus weren't directly attached to the series, but that were still canon and part of the Star Wars universe. It's better not to think about that part of it.

Rogue One was described as more of a gritty war film early in production, which was enough to get me interested in at least this one. If it hasn't already been made clear to you, this movie takes place between Episodes III and IV--almost immediately before IV, as a matter of fact. The movie answers the question we never really realized we had: "Just how did they manage to get those Death Star plans?" And so we get a 133-minute movie devoted to that very question.

We're introduced to a whole batch of new characters; a few side characters we've seen before in previous movies, and one character you've only heard of if you've watched the Clone Wars TV series--Saw Gerrera. The new bunch of characters is led by Felicity Jones--um, I mean Jyn Erso--and then there's the other ones, most of whose names you won't even remember later. (Seriously, I only remember the names Jyn Erso and Captain Andor.)

This movie's final act/45 minutes really saves it; it does put the "Wars" in Star Wars as we are given an awesome climactic battle which includes the return of the Imperial Walkers on land, and up in space the Rebel fleet versus the Imperial probes and Star Destroyers (and we also witness the greatest Star Destroyer takedown ever). Not to mention Darth Vader appearing in action at the end, and the final 30-45 minutes make you pretty easily forgive the fact that most of the rest of the movie is more forgettable.

Aside from a visually strong Death Star test run and an attack on an Imperial base, the first hour contains a lot of nothing as we are given more sci-fi mumbo jumbo than usual out of a Star Wars movie, and really flat characters who are difficult to get excited about. Especially the blind ninja who's not a Jedi, but keeps irritatingly repeating "I am one with the Force, the Force is with me" and he does seem to have some sort of power; which makes no sense.

Still, as I said, the final act was pretty amazing. The visuals and set pieces are great all the way through. It was interesting seeing the return of Governor Tarkin via CGI. K-2SO was amusing as well. It's not like the movie isn't entertaining or good or anything. But there are issues underneath the surface that make it still feel like a lesser Star Wars movie; at least when compared to the original trilogy or even The Force Awakens.

Ultimately, Rogue One is a very different kind of Star Wars movie, seeing as there are no lightsabers (until the very end with Vader), and the Force really isn't involved much either. But probably any big Star Wars fans should still see it. It does get right quite a bit of what the other prequels got wrong, even if it makes some mistakes of its own. It feels a little underwhelming, but it's still a pretty decent installment in the Star Wars universe.