Some Notes on 'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story' | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Some Notes on 'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story'

Rogue One was Great. Here's Why.

45
Some Notes on 'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story'
Star Wars HQ

Just to clarify, this is the best “Star Wars” film we’ve seen since 1980’s “The Empire Strikes Back.” Particularly this is the best script we have seen since then. These are my two favorite films in the franchise and it comes down to the fact that both of them focus on character more than any others. They don’t care about trade embargos or moisture farming. They focus on emotion. This is what has always made “Star Wars” unique from other science fiction franchises which are often indulgent in their cold examinations of science and biopolitics. We joke that there are “Star Trek” people and “Star Wars” people, and it’s ridiculous because there is a very large crossover, but “Star Wars” has always distinguished itself as magical space opera.

It’s a franchise for children and adults alike. Disney seems to understand this better than series creator George Lucas does. The two films Disney has added to the saga have both played on emotions, expectations, and nostalgia in a strategic almost Machiavellian way.

It would be easy to compare this film to other films in the “Star Wars” amalgam, but perhaps a better comparison would be films such as “Saving Private Ryan” or the original “Magnificent Seven.” These are team films where character is king. Each of “Rogue One’s” characters from Orson Krennic (Ben Mendelson) to Donnie Yen’s Chirrut Îmwe get a believable and interesting motivation, but moreover, they are given dichotomies, and scenes where we can get a glimpse into their character rather than their characterization. Characterization is giving Anakin Skywalker a scar for no apparent reason or giving Mace Windu a purple lightsaber.

Character moments are the ones where we, the audience, witness who they are under pressure. What will they do in the most difficult moments of their lives?

Character moments are seen in “Empire Strikes Back” when Leia tells Han, “I love you.”

Han replies, “I know.” That’s character. That’s what writers Chris Weitz and Tony Gilroy masterfully achieved in the creation of “Rogue One.” Chirrut Îmwe could easily have been a badass blind guy (see Daredevil) whose existence was purely for entertainment purposes, and Orson Krennic could have been another mustache twirling bad guy tying a heroin up the railroad tracks. But instead, Weitz and Gilroy take their time to tell us a realistic, adult story, but in a fantasy world.

Orson Krennic may be the most relatable villain presented in the “Star Wars” franchise. The scene in Darth Vader’s castle on Mustafar shows Krennic’s spine and character. For him, his spine is to be recognized for his greatness. This scene is fantastic for Krennic’s character, despite Darth Vader’s shitty pun at the end.

For Donnie Yen and Jiang Wen, “Rogue One,” represents their first major foray into the American market. Yen previously worked on films such as “Blade 2,” and “Shanghai Knights,” for which he also designed the fight choreography, but I can’t help but feel that this is his first major American work. These two actors are both Chinese, but from very different backgrounds. Yen is from Hong Kong, a semi-autonomous state of the People’s Republic, while Jiang Wen hails from the mainland and is a sixth-generation filmmaker. Both castings are appeals to the two Chinese markets, of which mainland cinema is the fastest growing market in the world. In 2007 there were 3,500 cinema screens in China. As of 2015 the number has jumped to 31,000. The Chinese market is the future and Disney recognizes that.

Even as an out and out “Star Wars” and Marvel fan, I still complain about the Blockbuster syndrome currently plaguing the major studios. The previews for “Rogue One” featured these franchises: “Fast and Furious,” “The Mummy,” “Transformers,” “Planet of The Apes,” “Dunkirk,” and “Spider-Man: Homecoming.” I will see the last two. Why do the first three exist? Answer: They make lots of money. We, the audience have allowed the major studios to shell out bullshit after bullshit in these franchises and for some reason we continue to see these laughable films which fail to deliver story, interesting cinematography, or any sort of intellectual or entertaining discussion. Why are we no longer spending money on artistic classics such as “The Godfather,” which took the box office in 1971 with $127,000,00 domestic. Perhaps the world is a more complex place, thus we crave simpler, more by the books stories. But the fact of the matter is that Hollywood spectacle seems to have replaced our fascination with character and nuance. There are certainly films which tell the Blockbuster tale well, most recently “Rogue One,” “Deadpool,” and “Doctor Strange,” but these seem to be the exceptions. Other films in this same genre have failed to deliver such a quality of storytelling. Yet, they have continued to deliver successful box office results. Film critics and critical consensus sites have attempted to act as watchdogs, but it seems that they have proven unsuccessful.

“Rogue One,” may be a “Hollywood” blockbuster, but it is hardly typical and it is certainly not surface level. It boasts a strong story, interesting visuals, and above all else, it showcases strong, multidimensional characters. So if you are still looking for a holiday film at the cinema, give this one a shot.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

15 Times Michael Scott's Life Was Worse Than Your Life

Because have you ever had to endure grilling your foot on a George Foreman?

2556
Michael Scott
NBC

Most of the time, the world's (self-proclaimed) greatest boss is just that, the greatest. I mean, come on, he's Michael Freakin' Scott after all! But every once in a while, his life hits a bit of a speed bump. (or he actually hits Meredith...) So if you personally are struggling through a hard time, you know what they say: misery loves company! Here are 15 times Michael Scott's life was worse than your life:

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

12 Midnight NYE: Fun Ideas!

This isn't just for the single Pringles out there either, folks

17079
Friends celebrating the New Years!
StableDiffusion

When the clock strikes twelve midnight on New Year's Eve, do you ever find yourself lost regarding what to do during that big moment? It's a very important moment. It is the first moment of the New Year, doesn't it seem like you should be doing something grand, something meaningful, something spontaneous? Sure, many decide to spend the moment on the lips of another, but what good is that? Take a look at these other suggestions on how to ring in the New Year that are much more spectacular and exciting than a simple little kiss.

Keep Reading...Show less
piano
Digital Trends

I am very serious about the Christmas season. It's one of my favorite things, and I love it all from gift-giving to baking to the decorations, but I especially love Christmas music. Here are 11 songs you should consider adding to your Christmas playlists.

Keep Reading...Show less
campus
CampusExplorer

New year, new semester, not the same old thing. This semester will be a semester to redeem all the mistakes made in the previous five months.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

Let's face it, last semester you woke up with enough time to brush your teeth and get to class and even then you were about 10 minutes late and rollin' in with some pretty unfortunate bed head. This semester we will set our alarms, wake up with time to get ready, and get to class on time!

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 5 Painfully True Stages Of Camping Out At The Library

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

3666
woman reading a book while sitting on black leather 3-seat couch
Photo by Seven Shooter on Unsplash

And so it begins.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

Camping out at the library is not for the faint of heart. You need to go in as a warrior. You usually have brought supplies (laptop, chargers, and textbooks) and sustenance (water, snacks, and blanket/sweatpants) since the battle will be for an undetermined length of time. Perhaps it is one assignment or perhaps it's four. You are motivated and prepared; you don’t doubt the assignment(s) will take time, but you know it couldn’t be that long.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments