Tag: Rogue One

Disney’s foray into the world of Star Wars with its first major motion picture under the banner, “The Force Awakens,” was an outstanding success, garnering near-universal positive critical reviews while becoming the greatest North American box office money-maker … ever.

If it had a failing, it was its tepid steps into the realm of being called a “rehash” or “retread.” Without a doubt, it was a joyous experience for many (and deemed a “return to form” by many more), but there is also no denying particular calculated decisions that were meant to call to mind the original trilogy — from style/design work to practical effects to actual plot elements to character development. 

Hey, in this case, it was obviously proven wise. Nostalgia works.

Perhaps in an effort to combat the “rehash” criticism somewhat (but more likely just to keep Star Wars relevant in the inevitable production gaps between its main “saga” movies), Disney made the interesting choice to stagger its saga films with stand-alone stories meant to explore the universe in different ways. 

The first and most successful of these attempts was “Rogue One,” which made no bones about its desire to also tap into our nostalgia as directly as it possibly could within its plot and setting, but simultaneously brought us several brand-new characters, a darker, grittier tone, and fleshed out the lore in ways that were often surprising.

The end result? Anyone craving a more “adult” Star Wars finally had something to hold onto — a film they could justifiably declare was meant for them.

Indeed, ask most any kid which Star Wars movie is their least favorite, and most will point to this one.

The folks who were kids back in the early 1980s had been demanding a film tailored to their more adult-like sensibilities for decades. Here, finally, they had it. “Rogue One” was simply a different film for a different audience.

(Tangentially, I wonder what reaction George Lucas might have received had he released THIS in 1999 instead of the much-maligned “The Phantom Menace” … hmmmmm.)

Continue reading Rogue One retrospective: Sacrifice and inspiration