"Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" PG 13
The Death Star is being assembled and it is the past, when this brilliant scientist is snatched from his farm by space Nazis to go work on the weapons, and he has hidden away with girl daughter. She grows up to be Jyn Erso, leader of a rebellious spin off of the rebellion in this prequel to Star Wars, 1977, also called A New Hope after 1994. In the present which is their past, some 40 years ago, the rebels are running from the Empire, Vader is coming from the volcano planet to check on the nearly completed Death Star, and the rebels hatch a plan to steal the deck plans from it, after being warned in a hologram message from Jyn's Dad that he has made a fatal flaw in it, and it can be destroyed.
The film is yet another dirty rogue band makes good movie, as there have been four this year. It seems that this year is about that. From Suicide Squad to Magnificent 7 the remake, it has been about the rebels.
Also it is a war movie, and a nod to the WW2 dog fighting movies of the era, and the 1950s, and to the space serials of the period.
They even do an homage to the samurai movies with a blind bo staff master and a big hulking battle gun commander.
The movie is all about homages, which to non fans will be annoying. In the end through it is a solid movie, and the final act is astounding, beating even elements of The Force Awakens in terms of sheer action, with a storm the beachhead planet and find the plans on the tower deal.
It is really nothing like Saving Private Ryan, a WW2 set movie, although some have compared it.
Also there is nothing about the 2016 election in it anywhere. That's a good thing.
The CGI Tarkin is kind of uncanny and the Leia is really uncanny, but I suppose they would look worse in 3D.
It is not really for young children though and does have heavy scenes, and a really dark ending that will likely turn some fans off. It is one of the best fantasy films of the year though.
Review by Adam Browne
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