Spoilers Rogue One: A Star Wars Story - Grading & Discussion

[Noname Given]

Grade: A
I actually liked it more than Star Wars The Force Awakens myself. Loved these new characters (and the Droid) way better than any of the new characters from SW:TFA (too bad everyone died, eh? )

That said (IMO):
- The beginning portion of the film (nearly the whole first hour) had pacing problems .

- I didn't like that there was no 'opening scroll' of any kind. (For me that's a part of Star Wars - 'main' story or not.)

- I didn't care for the majority of the musical score. The fact the main Star Wars theme is a best hinted at in parts, but never used was disappointing.

 

[Lakenheath 72]

In the crawl for Star Wars IV, it said that Princess Leia Organa was heading home, which as we learned later is Alderaan.

There are several instances where I found it odd no effort was made to save people. The first was the Partisans and the second was the survivors of Rogue One. I am thinking any rescue effort was ultimately defeated by the biggest foe, that of rewriting the scripts.

There were other oddities, which I guess are inherent to Star Wars. Like the Imperials not tracking the Partisans, who traveled in broad daylight to their base, which was not far from Jedda City.

 

[Venardhi]

Er, yes. Right. Duh.

Obviously, the line I referred to was from the scene with Darth Vader confronting the captain. Still, as others have said, Darth Vader was probably overgeneralizing. I still don't see this as a big deal.

It isn't a big deal, but it is distracting. Why wouldn't Vader have said "We tracked you from the Rebel fleet." if that was the case? They could have done the same thing, had the guy cornered with Vader cutting through commandos and doors like warm butter while he desperately tries to find a ship to broadcast the plans to, and Leia picks up his signal on the way to Tatooine where she should have been to begin with. Same beats, but it actually fits (mostly) with what was previously established.

That is one of the only pre-requisites when doing a prequel. Be consistent with the rules established and don't fuck up established events in a way that makes the original inconsistent. Lucas failed miserably at that task and Edwards (or Disney) couldn't help but follow his example, albeit to a lesser extent. And for the sake of cameos, he does it elsewhere in the film. Artoo and Threepio are hanging out on Yavin IV as part of the rebellion (which conflicts with everything Threepio says on the matter in the original film, even just between him and Artoo) and not on the Tantive IV, Ponda Baba and Dr. Evazan are on Jedda in a locked-down Imperial-controlled city minutes before it gets blown up with no sign of any civilian ships getting away. Maybe I'm "watching it wrong" but that shit annoys the fuck out of me.

 

[Jesse1066]

I've always found Giacchino's film scores particularly memorable. Certainly much more so than say, Hans Zimmer. I particularly liked his music in The Incredibles, Up, Cars 2, Mission Impossible, Jurassic World, various Medal of Honor games, and obviously the last three Star Trek movies. I'll admit that the music in Rogue One was not his best work, but I felt that it fit well enough. It's good music, and it doesn't let the movie down. I think it could have been better if he had more time and, in particular, if he had not seemingly attempted to ape John Williams' style. I think his usual style is what works best for him. I hope that Giacchino continues to find work in the Star Wars movies, particularly once the legendary John Williams has inevitably passed on.

 

[Ithekro]

From a certain point of view Vader is correct. Rebel transmissions were beamed to the ship Leia's ship was inside, making it but an escape ship as far as Vader is concerned. My guess if Leia hoped they could slip away into hyperspace and use not only her diplomatic immunity but also that she has a common ship type to blend in when reaching Tattooine. No one could guess that Lord Vader could track her in hyperspace and come out of lightspeed almost right on top of her ship.

In the Radio Drama from a long time ago, Leia's ship jumps into the system to get the plans from a blockaded planet, using the excuse that they need to repair their navigation system of something like that. With R2-D2 on the outside to make it look good, and C-3PO just inside the airlock to keep R2 informed. Both droid are given specific orders by Captain Antilles and Princess Leia. They are to deny knowledge of her to anyone. They are on a classified mission, and Leia extends her order to R2 alone when she gives him the plans and goal of finding Obi-wan. Recall that on of the first things that 3PO says while still in the corvette is "There will be no escape for the Princess this time" meaning they've had some adventures with her before. When Luke asks if they know of the Rebellion against the Empire, 3PO simply responds, with more or less 'how else do you think we came into your service'. When asked if they have been in many battles, 3PO says 'several I think.' 3PO is being deceptive in the film, and lies quite a bit really, or at the least doesn't say everything. It doesn't seem like it because of the butler voice, but probably would have been more obvious if he's had the "slick used car salesman" voice Lucas had wanted at first. But Anthony Daniels made the role his, and it stuck. I suspect that R2 had the hyperdrive coordinates for Yavin IV for Han Solo once Leia was back.

Now the two droids are still in every single Star Wars film (aside from the two Made for TV Ewok movies).

For a locked down world, Jedha seems pretty easy to get in and out of. I image Dr. Evazan left not long after we saw them, as it would have taken time to walk all the way to Saw's place from the city, and it was some time before the Star Destroyer left. It was also still a little bit before the Death Star fired, so a ship or two could have escaped off camera easily. It isn't there story anyway, so they don't matter too much. I did notice that Saw had some X-wings parked outside

 

[Greylock Crescent]

Giacchino did a good job, the guy knows how to score a film.

He does. But he does not know how to write a truly iconic, memorable score. As evidenced by RO.

 

[Chekov's Phaser]

He does. But he does not know how to write a truly iconic, memorable score. As evidenced by RO.

Not sure I agree. Maybe not on the level of some of Williams' very best, but Star Trek and Up are two off the top of my head that I hum regularly.

 

[Jax]

He does. But he does not know how to write a truly iconic, memorable score. As evidenced by RO.

Nu Star Trek would disagree with you on that one.

 

[Set Harth]

Ion Cannons.

Ion bombs, technically, but same idea.

 

[Ithekro]

As to why they don't use they often? They are likely expensive and not easy to obtain via the usual mean....theft. Also they might have to get the enemies shields down, not sure if I remember that part correctly. I did like how the Admiral came up with that plan on the fly though.

 

[tomalak301]

I was debating whether to give this movie 3 or 4 stars. As a Star Wars film, I really enjoyed it. What I hoped for in this film was a movie showing the actual "Star Wars" side of the story, instead of following Luke or Ray on their journey of discovery as being a Jedi. We finally got to see what this War does to people, militarily and it's civilians. I really enjoyed seeing this side of the story because with the rest of the franchise, I honestly forgot I was watching a movie called Star Wars. This movie put the War front and center and it really added to the mythos of the franchise.

The reason I was hesitant about this movie, however, was as a film it left something to be desired. The characters weren't all that memorable, and while Jones did a good job, we really don't know much about the characters or why they are the way they are. This movie felt like Batman vs. Superman in that it jumped around a lot at the beginning and the story felt all over the place. I wish movies like this would allow breathing room and let the story develop naturally instead of banging your head with it.

What really made me bring it up to 4 stars, though, was the third act. This felt like Empire Strikes Back and the end of Return of the Jedi. The action was really great, and I left the movie with that theme of hope and "For the Rebellion". Basically, I wanted a Star Wars movie about Star Wars, and in the end because of that ending, I got it and I was happy.

B

 

[Tosk]

it jumped around a lot at the beginning and the story felt all over the place.

I agree. Part way through the film I was starting to worry that I was actually bored and not enjoying it, but was thankful that as time wore on the film grew on me and was happy at the end. Not so much that the third act saved it, just that maybe the film was a slow build that paid off? I won't know for sure 'til a rewatch. I may go back and forth on it, like I do with Force Awakens.

 

[Lakenheath 72]

In the crawl for Star Wars IV, it stated that the "Empire's sinister agents" were looking for the ship which was on a course for home. Darth Vader, I suppose, would be one of these agents.

I am reading the script for Star Wars IV.

Captain Antilles described the Tantive IV as a consular ship on a diplomatic mission. Darth Vader described the mission as a mercy mission - the words he use suggest that he and Princess Leia Organa have crossed paths in the past - and rejected her claim that the ship was on a diplomatic mission.

Considering that more of an effort was made at developing Jyn Erso in the first hour, was there more effort made at making her a fully developed character before the rewrites? We have the flashbacks, the opening sequence, etc.

 

[Venardhi]

They could have compressed a few things to speed along that first act certainly. Cassian could have been introduced breaking out Jyn just as effectively, with him perhaps doing the "shoot them in the back" thing with someone who was helping them but was wounded running away from the prison transport. Most/all the stuff at the Erso farmstead was information that was repeated later anyways and could have been cut entirely save for perhaps a few brief moments in Jyn's dream/memory flashes later on. It might have even helped build a bit of doubt as to Galen's character and make the audience wonder if the Rebels weren't right to order his assassination.

Part of what made those original movies so good is they didn't waste time with extraneous introduction. It was always in media res and the important stuff was filled in as we went.

 

[Tuskin38]

Sending the droids/plans to Obi-Wan may have been the backup plan if they couldn't get to Alderaan without being followed.

 

[Alidar Jarok]

From a certain point of view Vader is correct.

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[Tuskin38]

The lava planet was Mustafar, it was confirmed in the Novel.

And I'll need to watch the movie again to find Chopper, who was also in there according to this:
http://nerdist.com/star-wars-rebels-easter-eggs-in-rogue-one/

He is in a single shot, when that comm guy is running to Mon Mothma to report about the attack on Scarif.

You can hear him 'speak' too.

 

[Venardhi]

Sending the droids/plans to Obi-Wan may have been the backup plan if they couldn't get to Alderaan without being followed.

She wasn't going to Alderaan, she was going to Tatooine. Her mission was to get Obi-Wan (which is why she shouldn't have been at Scarrif to begin with) and the plans just fell into her lap because of Vader boarding the ship.

 

[Lakenheath 72]

In Star Wars IV, Princess Leia Organa said she was on a diplomatic mission to Alderaan. This is confirmed in the crawl when it said she was on a route for home.

I'm a member of the Imperial Senate on a diplomatic mission to Alderaan...

The plans were, originally, transmitted to the ship by Rebel ships.

 

[Venardhi]

Well originally she probably wasn't on a mission to get Obi-Wan at all and she just happened to be nearby when the Imperials caught up to them. Rogue one had to go and make him her mission though.