This is off topic, but just out of curiosity, what were your feelings exactly on The Force Awakens? You said that you could overlook its flaws, but I felt like the movie was full of them.
Not trying to start an argument. I was just curious because, for the most part, you seem to have similar feelings to mine concerning Rogue One so I was wondering what you saw in VII that I didn\'t.
"starring Darth Vader" is a strange thing to say, considering that he's only in the movie for, like, two scenes.
I think they're good scenes (although the first feels somewhat tacked on, and could have been integrated into the main plot better), but still.
Oh God! Natural light!
Bored 4 Eternity, I actually wrote a review for TFA on here titled "Star Wars: Faster and more Intense", if you want to see a summation of my thoughts on it.
Karkat The Dalek, that was meant as kind of a joke. I knew way before I saw it that even though Vader would only be in the movie briefly, he would end up being the most talked about character.
I suppose that's fair, although while I've seen quite a bit of love for the hallway scene, I've also seen a lot for K2, Chirrut and Baze, so...
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Another Rogue One review, I've got a bad feeling about—
I will start off by stating that I pretty much got what I expected when I saw the initial trailers. A Star Wars film taking place outside of the main Skywalker storyline, starring Darth Vader and the infamous Death Star plans from A New Hope and some new characters. I knew it would be polarizing and I wouldn't like it as much as the Star Wars it came fresh off the heels of. I was right on both counts.
Are there flaws to this movie? Certainly, and not the kind that can be easily overlooked as with the last Star Wars film. The heroes are not fleshed out well, as has been said ad nauseum; it's basically a lesser version of the commando team from Predator, minus an Arnold. The pacing is off, and it's noticeable that there were some last minute changes. And the ending, while really cool, is also very abrupt; most SW movies take a bit more time to lead us out, but I guess Rogue One isn't really supposed to be most SW movies.
It's a style over substance film for sure, but that's not to say it's awful and worthless.
They do try to humanize each character, even the droid... especially the droid. I really liked Donnie Yen's Chirrut, and Ben Mendelsohn's Krennic was in many ways the most compelling character. Forrest Whitaker plays a weird rebel Foil to Darth Vader, with a breathing mask, cyborg features, and freaky interrogation methods. It's in the Uncanny Valley, but I was astonished at the motion capture recreation of Peter Cushing as Tarkin; he ended up being one of my favorite parts. And, of course, I have to commend the filmmakers because I don't think Vader has ever been scarier.
The thing Rogue One builds upon after The Force Awakens is the palpability with which this world is portrayed. Everything feels really visceral and lived in. It's some of the best displays of Storm Troopers and Imperial tech I've seen. I believe the desperation and fear everyone has of The Empire, and the rebels in dire straits. The way they convey the power of the force through the blind Chirrut. The tone reminded me somewhat of the video game gem Star Wars: Bounty Hunter. And the whole film is gorgeously shot.
For those bemoaning this movie's "dreariness", I feel like it's important to remember that Rogue One's timeline takes place between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope. Probably the most depressing period in the history of the galaxy. That's the emotional focal point of the film, finding that glimmer of hope in the darkest of times. A... new hope, you might say. Oh Star Wars, always so subtle and clever with the symbolism.
Overall, Rogue One was an okay flick elevated by a classy and engrossing Star Wars backdrop. Good but lacking. It isn't the first hyped up, money-maker of a movie to be seen as just good but lacking.