ROGUE ONE

a film by Gareth Edwards released through Walt Disney Pictures in 2016

Now we know why the Death Star could be destroyed with a single proton torpedo.  It wasn't incompetence.  It was sabotage!  Other questions (of less pronounced importance) are similarly addressed in Rogue One, Extended Universe Star Wars brought to life. 

A touch nihilistic, the movie overflows with talk of sabotage and assassination.  It thus contrasts sharply with the good-natured Star Wars (1977).  Darth Vader disappoints due to the raspy voice of senior citizen James Earl Jones, while the audacious lightsaber attack on Rebel troops somehow manages to go too far (in light of Vader's power in Episode IV), yet not far enough. 

But the democratization of the Force (a development further explored in Episode VIII) is intriguing.  And the ending is heavenly, maybe the greatest in film history. 

★★★★☆

Best for ages 12+

FEATURING

FELICITY JONES, DIEGO LUNA, BEN MENDELSOHN, DONNIE YEN, AND MADS MIKKELSEN

© 2023 Ian C. Bloom