Rogue One: A Star Wars story

Rogue One is the movie we didn't asked for - but what we got was beyond any expectation. Excellent pacing of the movie. As the movie progresses it gets better and better. Culminates in one of the best finales seen in any of the Star Wars movies.

CGI on the past main character seemed odd. But worked well on pilots and scoundrels. Many Easter eggs trough the whole movie are appreciated. Humor from Alan Tudyk's K-2SO was spot on.

Empire Strikes Back is still king of the hill as the best SW movie till date. But Rogue One comes damn close near it.

It is crazy how well the beginning of this movie lines up and ties in with the ending of Andor. It's like I'm watching the new 3-episode arc of Andor, or season 3 of Andor. The feel is the same, albeit a bit more light-hearted than the show, and Andor and every other character act the same (well, maybe except Organa).

But first, I have to say what I have always felt about this movie. So my original rating for this film, the two times I watched it, was 7/10. The reason? I found the movie somewhat boring both times.

The characters are all new here, even considering Andor, you still don't really care that much about the blind guy and his friend, because they don't get much characterization, and also Jyn, who is the main character, isn't really that memorable for me, even though I've watched this movie 3 times now. The only thing making this movie good was focusing on Cassian Andor the whole time. Because we now have so much backstory and character development from him that he feels like the main character. Since all the other characters are kinda bland.

Now the thing I noticed is that the movie is so rushed. Like we jump from plot point to plot point so fast, and even though there are breathers in between, it still feels like everything is moving way too fast, and the characters don't get much characterization for the audience to care about them.

Now all that aside, now having finished Andor literally hours ago, this movie and especially its ending have changed significantly for me. The two previous times I watched this movie's ending, I was like "Yeah, this is kinda sad", but this time, I was a blubbering mess watching that ending knowing what happened in Andor.

I feel like if this movie came out after Andor and as a continuation of its story, and everybody had the knowledge of the events and character developments of Andor before watching it, it would be so much more highly rated, and my first watch would've been completely different. But on the other hand, you obviously could not have Andor if Rogue One didn't exist. It's kinda the chicken and egg situation (not really, but I couldn't think of another analogy). I still think Rogue One should be watched first, and then Andor, and then a rewatch. But this movie works so well if you watch it immediately after Andor and think of it as a really rushed Andor season 3.

So overall, even though I have changed my rating after all these years from 7/10 to 8/10, I still think this movie isn't that good as a standalone in terms of characterization and pacing. But I'm still on the high of Andor's finale, and this movie is significantly improved by the existence of that show. I'm just biased now, I always found it weird how people called this movie a masterpiece or "underrated" and how they adored it, because it's really not that great if Andor didn't exist. But now, I kinda didn't find it that boring this time around, and I actually enjoyed how each event of Andor from the beginning to the end leads to this movie and continues perfectly in here, and how this film's events also directly lead to A New Hope.

It's pretty cool. Devastating ending when you watch Andor before it.

This is almost perfect Star Wars. By far the best Star Wars of the new era (including the prequels). Hard to find any fault with it. If only Abrams, Johnson and other took more note of this it might have saved us from some of the faults in those other movies.

Rogue One is, by far, the best Star Wars film to be released since the original trilogy. A fantastic cast of original characters, still hitting on the popular characteristics from previous fan favourites, seek to complete a daring mission which ultimately sets up A New Hope and the whole Star Wars saga.

Instead of trying to reinvent an already successful formula, this standalone story modernises the approach of the original trilogy. Dialogue is powerful and used to set up the action of a Rebellion, and characters clash to create energy on screen. Some of the best moments from the original trilogy even return in new scenarios, making an impact but not stealing attention from the plot; who doesn't want to see an AT-AT on a beach?

Well tied to the canon set chronologically before and after Rogue One, links to the prequel trilogy are limited, but heavy connections are made to the Clone Wars series. Despite no focus falling on previously established characters, the plot is the perfect backstory to a significant event in the Empire's downfall.

There is a great figurehead to represent the Empire, understated and without garish traits, but evil. It is a fantastic special effect to bring back Tarkin, who remains imposing, and Vader is used in perfect doses, making limited but incredibly impactful appearances. One these being one of the best finales to any Star Wars film.

An aesthetic joy, the film is visually wonderful due to brilliant costume designing, props and locations. CGI is used effectively, and at no point does it seem like everything on screen has been thrown in for the sake of it, unlike the prequels. The film is visibly clean and clear cut. The score, too, fits themes excellently and really sets the tone.

Without a significantly direct tie to the Skywalker Saga, cinematically, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is arguably the best Star Wars film yet.

Rogue One stands head and shoulders above every other Disney-era Star Wars film. While The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi, The Rise of Skywalker, and Solo struggled to find a fresh identity or narrative weight, Rogue One succeeds by doing exactly that, grounding the saga in the grit and gray of war.

The film boldly shifts perspective, focusing not on Jedi or chosen heroes, but on ordinary people caught in extraordinary circumstances. It masterfully fills a major plot gap: the Death Star's fatal weakness; while telling the gripping story of the Rebel Alliance's first true victory. With morally complex characters like Cassian Andor and Galen Erso, Rogue One paints a world where good and evil aren't so easily defined. Diego Luna brings depth and ambiguity to Cassian, while Mads Mikkelsen's Galen shows how even those within the Empire can resist in subtle, powerful ways.

Visually, the film is stunning, with rich, immersive worlds and breathtaking battle sequences. Michael Giacchino steps up to score the first Star Wars film without John Williams, and while the maestro is missed, Giacchino delivers a memorable soundtrack that captures the emotional core of the story.

Though the pace occasionally feels rushed, leaving some character arcs a bit underdeveloped, the film's grounded tone, compelling narrative, and bold, tragic ending elevate it far above its peers.

Rogue One dares to be different, and in doing so, it succeeds brilliantly. It's dark, emotional, smart, and unforgettable. A must-watch that proves Star Wars can evolve without losing its soul.