Possibly the most shocking film I've watched, purely because I never expected anything so cruel. Rogue One was unreal, when I revealed to Matt that I really did enjoy it and Force Awakens he asked me why I didn't think I'd enjoy it at all. I honestly don't know why, I do love the sci-fi genre but I'm more a fantasy fan myself; Harry Potter, Mortal Instruments etc etc. Yes, I can't really give an efficient opinion because I've never watched any of the original films but after watching I actually don't feel it was necessary for me too.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is a prequel to previous episodes. All looks lost when the Rebellion learns of a new super weapon, The Death Star. With the help of misguided Jyn Erso, who's father Galen plays a huge part in the creation, they find a possible weakness in it's construction. The Rebel Alliance set out on a desperate mission to save the plans, the future of the galaxy depends upon it's success.
First let's talk about casting, I can honestly say I didn't go and see this film because Felicity Jones was in it. I'm not a big fan of hers (most likely because she threatened to kill Robert Langdon in Inferno) but I really enjoyed her in this film; saying this, I don't know whether I liked her or Jyn more. Let's talk about Diego Luna, Rogue One is one of the first films I've watched where you can clearly identify an actors thick, native accent, Luna is Mexican and talks about not changing his accent for a role. As a main character, I feel, that his role was so important because it shows people that other ethnicities are represented properly. GO DIEGO LUNA! Both Forest Whitaker and Mads Mikkelsen scare me a little bit, Mikkelsen purely because of Hannibal and Whitaker just because he plays out there characters- this takes nothing away from their brilliant yet short lived performances. It doesn't matter if you like the casting anyway because everyone dies, you won't be seeing them again! Also, Donnie Yen, who plays Chirrut, has been introduced to Western audiences; don't get me wrong he's successful in his own right but the majority of Western audiences haven't really heard of him. Could Rogue One mark the increase of Chinese cinema in the West? Who knows.
You can't talk about Rogue One without mentioning the insane effects in this film. Okay, maybe not ground breaking but it was still a shock to me, I didn't realise that the original Tarkin sadly isn't with us anymore. When someone told me it wasn't actually him, I was like what, no. Guy Henry (Holby City) now plays Tarkin with a super imposed image of Peter Cushing's face. Also, the end scene with Leia. Emotional or what?! The fact that this film was made and released before Carrie Fisher passed away is something else. We never expected to lose her so soon and although I wasn't a big Star Wars fan, it doesn't take away from the fact we lost a treasure. If this wasn't enough, some of the scenes from the film where actually filmed over twenty years ago, I didn't even know this but I'm sure Star Wars fans did, honestly the film was amazing but the special effects are mind blowing.
As I've said I thought the loss of life in Rogue One was atrocious. However, I love it! In terms of the narrative and the future of the storyline, the death of literally everyone makes complete sense. Jyn, Cassian, K-2SO, they've all served their purpose. They retrieved the plan for the Deathstar and made it possible for Darth Vader to be beaten, the characters would be kept to give the audience a happy ending. The reality is, it's a film based around war and death not love and happy endings.
I have to give a little mention to the score. I'm pretty sure I'm right when I say that Rogue One is the first film where John Williams (Indianna Jones, Jaws, Jurassic Park) has not composed the compilation. A lot of people ignore the whole music side of films, unless it's a soundtrack with sing along songs and stars singing. What we should all take into account that if melodies were absent from films, certain scenes especially wouldn't have as much depth or emotion. Myself, I'm a big fan of Hans Zimmer's work but had never thought of listening to Williams (besides when watching the films); saying this, listening to his compilations bring all the feels. It's something about the way he composes, he has a gift that enables us to be transported to another place with another emotion. The music for Rogue One was composed by Michael Giacchino, less well known but has a stand out track record. Ratatouille, Inside Out, Up, Jurassic World, Star Trek Beyond, Zootopia and Dr Strange- these are only a few of the he's known for. Personally, I adore his work for Rogue One and some of the films he's composed are my favourites!
Rogue One has introduced me to the world of Star Wars. If you haven't any Star Wars (like me), Rogue One is a great way to ease you into it, although I say ease with caution because this film is in no way lighthearted!
You can't talk about Rogue One without mentioning the insane effects in this film. Okay, maybe not ground breaking but it was still a shock to me, I didn't realise that the original Tarkin sadly isn't with us anymore. When someone told me it wasn't actually him, I was like what, no. Guy Henry (Holby City) now plays Tarkin with a super imposed image of Peter Cushing's face. Also, the end scene with Leia. Emotional or what?! The fact that this film was made and released before Carrie Fisher passed away is something else. We never expected to lose her so soon and although I wasn't a big Star Wars fan, it doesn't take away from the fact we lost a treasure. If this wasn't enough, some of the scenes from the film where actually filmed over twenty years ago, I didn't even know this but I'm sure Star Wars fans did, honestly the film was amazing but the special effects are mind blowing.
As I've said I thought the loss of life in Rogue One was atrocious. However, I love it! In terms of the narrative and the future of the storyline, the death of literally everyone makes complete sense. Jyn, Cassian, K-2SO, they've all served their purpose. They retrieved the plan for the Deathstar and made it possible for Darth Vader to be beaten, the characters would be kept to give the audience a happy ending. The reality is, it's a film based around war and death not love and happy endings.
I have to give a little mention to the score. I'm pretty sure I'm right when I say that Rogue One is the first film where John Williams (Indianna Jones, Jaws, Jurassic Park) has not composed the compilation. A lot of people ignore the whole music side of films, unless it's a soundtrack with sing along songs and stars singing. What we should all take into account that if melodies were absent from films, certain scenes especially wouldn't have as much depth or emotion. Myself, I'm a big fan of Hans Zimmer's work but had never thought of listening to Williams (besides when watching the films); saying this, listening to his compilations bring all the feels. It's something about the way he composes, he has a gift that enables us to be transported to another place with another emotion. The music for Rogue One was composed by Michael Giacchino, less well known but has a stand out track record. Ratatouille, Inside Out, Up, Jurassic World, Star Trek Beyond, Zootopia and Dr Strange- these are only a few of the he's known for. Personally, I adore his work for Rogue One and some of the films he's composed are my favourites!
Rogue One has introduced me to the world of Star Wars. If you haven't any Star Wars (like me), Rogue One is a great way to ease you into it, although I say ease with caution because this film is in no way lighthearted!
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