The extremely positive reviews leading up to Rogue One (heck, the whole experience following it) led me looking forward to it very eagerly. Still, this wasn't like a saga film, so I was fairly even tempered about it. I even remained fairly spoiler free, I sure knew a few things Tarkin and Leia fell in my lap), had some assumptions (they all die); but, after all - we know the ultimate outcome (the Rebels get the plans).
I liked it quite a bit. Is it the best SW flick since Empire as I've read? No. But, it's still an excellent addition to Star Wars filmdom... as I gush in my Rotten Tomatoes review below.
We're a "geek" forum and this is a spoiler thread - so, I think I'm allowed to elaborate.
The first 1/4 to maybe half of the film felt like a fan film. There seemed to be a little too much fan service, a little too much "hey look at that." We opened to a plot just didn't work and just sorta meandered. If there was ever a need for re-writing, this was it - the beginning of Rogue One needed some serious tightening up.
But, then somewhere along the way... it all clicked. All the pieces fell into place and magic happened.
There are easter eggs aplenty. I think there are whole clips taken from ANH (I swear they just cleaned up and reused footage from the original Death Star attack). I do think Vader was misused - his bacta tank scene just didn't feel like a good fit, that entire initial scene Vader/Krennic scene just didn't feel right either - despite the force choke, he didn't seem intimidating enough. I would've liked to have felt like Vader was on Krennic's back a bit more and like he needed to swoop in a fix his mess... and a little more of Tarkin pulling Vader's leash.
Jyn was solid. She seemed more vulnerable than Rey. I'm sure we'll hear the Mary Sue cries again... but, she was a much more vulnerable character overall than Rey. Everyone else was solid - except maybe Bodhi, the writers just never seemed to know what to do with that character. Once K2 bit it, I knew everyone was doomed - some got fitting deaths, some were a little too fleeting. I still wanted Vader to kill Krennic.
I think we got a little too much Death Star, too. It didn't feel big enough in it's test firing - I know the "big boom" has to be saved for Alderaan and they needed something for Rogue One... but, I'm not sure these 'one reactor' shots were the payoff we needed.
Those are minor nitpicks and overall, didn't really take a whole lot away from the film.
My RT review (basically spoiler free):
Almost perfect.
Rogue One started off a little slow, but by the time you're into the last act - it's a full on, hold-on-tight amazing ride... even though you probably know the inevitable outcome (which was spoiled 39 1/2 years ago).
The cast is solid. The score is solid. The plot weaves and wobbles in a few places... but, in the end it's a great, fun ride. Maybe the direction is a little too modern at times for "Star Wars" but, this isn't the main saga... this is a little side journey, but, it sure is fun seeing being back in this galaxy, far, far away. So many little fun, wonderful easter eggs to make all the fanboys and fangirls squee in delight.
