Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

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.

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.

I am watching this movie for the first time after watching Andor's finale.

For me there is a new great trilogy, Andor S1, Andor S2 and Rogue One, which has rivalled the brilliance of the Original Trilogy.

The ending was devastating for me but definitely cemented Cassian Andor as one of the most memorable characters. K2SO was perfect in every way possible and Jyn Erso was also fairly a good character, along with the other supporting casts. The movie kept me hooked start to finish and I love that we start exactly where we left off in Andor's finale.

I would for sure suggest anyone else yet to watch; to watch these 3 chronologically, because the emotional investment I had in Cassian was what made this film great for me.

Rogue One feels like a serious and grounded movie, with a plot that weighs a ton, that feels important on every scale from the very beginning and as the movie progresses it shows that it's on another level, much higher.

The plot is very well written. It's simple, but direct, without fillers or unnecessary diversions. The levels of politics are reduced to the minimum so that it remains a factor to consider, but from the farthest box possible. It has impressive action sequences supported by flawless visual effects, such as the battle of Scarif, the battles of the ships and the devastating power of the Death Star. As if that were not enough, the film has cameos that have a very important presence.

On the technical side, the soundtrack is very good as usual, but the sound editing also stands out tremendously. Photography is beautiful! Even from the first introductory scene of that ringed planet. The editing is also very efficient and its highest point is in the last third of the film, where there is a very fast pace as we get into the battles.

The few negative points are found in specific decisions regarding the performances and the non-existent development of some secondary characters.

This is a work that makes even those who most resist the fury of this old saga (like me) turn their eyes to this great action and science fiction show.

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.