When I first heard that they were making a film detailing the events preceding the first Star Wars film, I was simultaneously intrigued and perplexed since the original film essentially spoils the outcome of the film. But yet, there was a chance to spin a unique chapter of the Star Wars saga and much to much surprise they really managed to pull it off.
Jyn Erso (played by Felicity Jones) is a rebel fighter rescued from captivity by the Rebel Alliance for a specific mission. The Rebel Alliance wishes to create a partnership with rogue rebel extremist Saw Gerrera (played by Forest Whitaker) and since Jyn has a history with Saw (he rescued her as a child when her mother was killed and her father Galen (played by Mads Mikkelson) was captured by the Empire) they think she may help him be more receptive to the message if delivered by a friendly face. Partnering her with Rebel Intelligence Officer Cassian Andor (played by Diego Luna) and his reprogrammed Empire droid K2SO (played by Alan Tudyk), they are given the assignment of contacting Saw as well as retrieve a holographic message that Saw is said to be in possession of from a defecting Empire pilot in regards to a new Empire weapon, the Death Star. Once there, Jyn first encounters blind warrior Chirrut Imwe (played by Donnie Yen), whose connection to The Force helps him compensate for his lack of sight. They also encounter his mercenary friend Baze Malbus (played by Jiang Wen), a close friend of Chirrut. They eventually make it to the hideout of Saw Gerrera, who recognizes Jyn and plays the message from her father for her. He tells of the new Empire weapon, one capable of destroying entire planets. Galen was forced to build it and he agreed because it allowed him to build in a secret fault in the weapon that if hit in the right spot would destroy the entire thing. When presenting this information to the Rebel Alliance, they feel they have been defeated. Not ones to quit, Jyn, Cassian and their new friends Chirrut and Baze set off on a new mission: Steal the plans for the Death Star by any means necessary.
Rogue One is a welcome break from the main storyline that has run through the series thus far and in the process has opened up the universe of the series in new and interesting ways. By making the story a far more of an ensemble cast we are able to be exposed to a greater scope of the rebellion and it's different factions and how it operates. Director Gareth Edwards, as well as screenwriters Tony Gilroy and Chris Weitz really drive home the sacrifices and moral ambiguity that can come from war, much more so than the previous films that for the most part operated strictly within the either wholly white or wholly black. Unlike previous entries, our heroes this time out, especially Jyn and Cassian, aren't afraid to get their hands a little dirty even if they are doing it for the greater good.
The performances are strong overall from a diverse cast. Felicity Jones leads the film as Jyn and gives a great performance portraying a character who has been a rebel all her life ever since her family was torn apart by the Empire when she was still a child. Diego Luna is someone I have been a fan of ever since I saw him in Y Tu Mama Tambien back in 2003 and it's great to see him tackling the role of Cassian, who as an Intelligence officer for the Rebel Alliance and at times feels his conflicting morals getting the better of him. Donnie Yen and Jiang Wen are great as best bud warriors Chirrut and Baze (even though I am not entirely convinced they are "just friends"). The surprise of the film for me though was Alan Tudyk as K2SO, who provided plenty of much needed comic relief throughout the film as a droid whose chief malfunction was just saying whatever was on it's mind with little regard for others. He also reminded me at times of Alan Rickman's performance as Marvin, the depressed robot from the underrated Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. There are also a few surprise appearances in the film that I won't dream of spoiling but were a lot of fun to see again.
Rogue One proves to be a welcome respite from the main "Skywalker" storyline of the usual films and in the process expands and grows the universe of the galaxy a long time ago in a galaxy far far away. I also have to appreciate the fact that the film fixes the biggest nagging plot hole of the entire series so efficiently and perfectly. Well done there, filmmakers.
No comments:
Post a Comment