For an intergalactic space opera, Star Wars can sometimes feel a bit claustrophobic, so the amount of time Rogue One spends on gigantic space battles blowing the horn seems refreshingly like calling ROTJ all over again. This first Star Wars Story anthological film includes the ticking of time and attempts to break a shield on several fronts, and few things are as much fun on screen as two star destroyers that launch at full speed into NASCAR and hit the paint. It is also one of the few times in which the public sees some of the rebels as true fanatics, such as Saw Gerrera (Forest Whitaker) and his band of violent partisans, the pilot Bodhi Rook (Riz Ahmed), who deserted the imperial army, Chirrut Îmwe (Donnie Yen) as guardian of the sorcerers after The Force with Baze Malbus (Jiang Wen), and the rebel Andor (Diego Luna) who doesn't skimp much sympathy for those outside politics. Jyn Erso, from Felicity Jones, does an admirable job focusing the story on hope, which serves as a bridge to the next film in the chronology, although we know that there is none for her or the rest of the team.
However, what really makes Episode IX difficult to watch is its lack of commitment to the events of The Last Jedi, so we see how the plot does its best to rewrite the story of Star Wars, rather than relying on what happened before to offer fans a more appropriate conclusion. In the end, Episode II is remembered more fondly for things set in the great Star Wars canon — looking at you, Clone Wars — than for how good a film is in its own right. As with all Star Wars movies, there are things to enjoy. If you have to change the role of Lando Calrissian, putting Donald Glover under the cape is an inspiring choice and the robbery of a levitating train is a good time, but in the end it just proves to be a “unique and done” Star Wars story.
For more information on Star Wars, check out our guide to Star Wars movies in order and all of the upcoming Star Wars movies and shows. You can also check out our selection of the best Star Wars holiday gifts. The allegorical power of the material also awakens Lucas, who at the time formulated the story as a wise critique of the war in Iraq. Obsessing over the Star Wars movies, classifying them and debating their merits has always been a sign of devotion adopted by people who consume rumors of pre-production and products related to the extended universe as if they were a sweet, sweet death cane.
Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones) is an unknown figure compared to many of the Star Wars protagonists of the past, and members of her team, including Cassian Andor from Diego Luna, Chirrut Îmwe from Donnie Yen and Bodhi Rook from Riz Ahmed, can't wield lightsabers like Luke Skywalker or Rey. Phantom Menace: Oh, none of the prequels are as bad as some people think they are, but I fully understand how I would feel if I waited 16 years to see a new Star Wars movie, and this is what I got. Instead, it was the first Star Wars movie I saw in theaters, and it only helped me get hooked on it. Despite its reputation as the most carefree Star Wars movie, Return of the Jedi is not without strong catharsis or psychological confusion.
Jyn Erso and his diverse group of unlikely rebels made a big impression on the public before finding a noble ending, and the theft of the original plans of the Death Star was not only an exciting adventure from start to finish, but it also represented a major change of tone for the franchise, which truly brought the “war to Star Wars”. After the tremendous success of Star Wars, which broke box office records and received 10 Academy Award nominations, George Lucas could have made any move in Hollywood. Clone Wars jumps freely between the main character's story (in which Asajj Ventress becomes an instantly memorable villain) and individual battles across the galaxy, many of them amazing without words of pure imagination. I prefer to mumble my words when it comes to the fourth pick on my ranking list; in fact, I like to mumble my words on almost every item on my list, since their entirety is probably an embarrassment to most Star Wars fans, but I'm okay with that.
Dreamed of by a 33-year-old California movie buff fresh off the success of his nostalgic coming-of-age choral comedy American Graffiti, Star Wars didn't emerge from a cultural black hole when it hit theaters. While Rogue One gave fans hope with the subtitle “A Star Wars Story”, Lucasfilm quickly shelved the anthological approach after the poor reception of its second installment, simply titled “Solo”. . .
