REVIEW: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

"Chirrut Imwe's beach holiday didn't go as planned!"

Lucasfilm and Disney took a risk to try something a little different with regards to the Star Wars movie. Not afraid of ruffling feathers with fans, the Star Wars universe gets an expanded look at the events that occurred after Episode III: Revenge of the Sith but before Episode IV: A New Hope.The Jedi are all but gone, Obi Wan is in hiding and the Empire is doing a fantastic job at taking over the galaxy. Young girl, Jyn Erso is quietly living with her dad, Galen Erso (Mads Mikkelsen) and her mom. When he turned his back on the Empire after helping them build a gigantic space station known as the Death Star, Galen took up farming on a quiet planet. Quickly realising they need Galen back to finish their evil plan, the Empire despatch Orson Krennic, complete with white cape and black armoured Deathtroopers to convince him to return with them. After initially declining, preferring windmills to world domination, Galen realises that he has no choice, and after giving time for his daughter to escape, he reluctantly goes with them. During this debate, Galen’s wife decides to take matters into her own hands and it doesn’t go well. Galen leaves, wifey is dead and little Jyn hides away. Fast forward a decade and a half later and Jyn is now an adult (played excellently by Felicity Jones) and, after being broken free from prison by a group of rebels, she is reluctantly dragged into the intergalactic war that is facing the universe. With a smattering of cameos and nods to other aspects of the Star Wars universe and, of course, featuring Darth Vader every now and then (James Earl Jones reprising his iconic booming voice), Rogue One brings with it everything you want to expect from a Star Wars movie. Amazing and arresting visuals – some of the battle sequences are stunning – Rogue One starts off slow and then goes for the jugular and by the end of the exhilarating ride you are trying to catch your breath. But, for all that it is a Star Wars film, with suitably sounding names like Cassian Andor and Churrut Imwe, it is a bit different too. For example, it is a lot darker – people die, and, dependent on your opinion, there is also no opening crawl either!

Star Wars music is suitably done (but not by John Williams for the first time!) and there is no famous anthems until Darth Vader appears. Those expecting lightsabers and Jedi will also be disappointed though there is a spattering of such throughout the movie and references too. The new characters are introduced to us are likeable and memorable and fit very well within the universe. We have Captain Cassian Andor, brave and fearless Rebel pilot/soldier, Baze Malbus and Chirrut Imwe (guardians of the Jedi temple) and Bistan (who is in more trailers than the film) among others and the new characters all have their own motivations and reasons for fighting. Also featuring Forest Whitaker as Star Wars Rebels character Saw Gerrera, Rogue One has truly a roster of people to keep you occupied until the end. As expected the new droid, K-2SO (voiced excellently by Alan Tudyk) is like a cross between C-3PO and Marvin the Paranoid Android from Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and often steals scenes he is in. The coolest character by far is Chirrut Imwe, a blind Jedi Master, who is able to fight and defeat many opponents even though he cannot see. The bromance between him and Baze is clear and they always have each other’s back.

Overall, Rogue One is different to the Star Wars we know, but maybe it is time to do that so we don’t get sick of the franchise. It’s a fresh take on the Star Wars universe but fits snugly within the narrative that is so ingrained in society that it feels organic. This movie was a risk for Disney but has paid off and is a great addition to the films we are getting. It sets the bar high for the next ones, and also kinda makes up for the poor prequels from the turn of the century. Worth a watch more than once so you can see it with a clear head the second time, as the first will blow you away. Slow to start but unbelievably exhilarating at the end, Rogue One certainly puts meaning being the term calm before the storm.

POPSCORE: 9/10

UPDATE: 14th November 2015

<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/14552703/?claim=w4zcd4mr6cw">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>

Hey everyone, just giving you an update on some things that have been happening around and about. I've just signed up to link my blog to Bloglovin (above) so if you are interested in when I update the blog and want to keep up to date on other blogs, feel free to click above so it can keep you in the loop and informed.

Secondly, Microsoft have released an update to the Xbox One which finally includes backwards compatibility. This is blooming awesome as it's something I personally feel very strongly about. I think having such a rich, diverse back catalogue as this should be available to play on the next generation - and I'm impressed that Microsoft have found a way to do this. Admittedly there are only about 100 games supported (most on XBL) but it's a start and more will be added. Speaking of XBL - don't forget to get the second set of free games if you are an XBL subscriber after 16th - if you haven't got the first set be quick - you need to get them now.

Star Wars fever is hotting up and in the cinema, 17th December to be precise! With the final trailer being dropped, the release of Star Wars: Battlefront and more merch available this Christmas than Scrooge has savings, this is guaranteed to be one of the biggest blockbusters in recent memory. It still could be rubbish, but somehow (at least I hope) that will be very unlikely, especially since it features the original cast.  Who is Kylo Ren? And what the heck is he doing with that sword? It all starts in a few days more than a month. Yes, that soon!

Mockingjay Part 2 comes out this week with the final part of Katniss Everdeen's trials and is still the YA dystopian franchise to beat. With the Scorch Trials (film two of The Maze Runner) merely luke-warm, how sparkling will the conclusion be to the much loved trilogy of books? Hot on it's heels will be the third Divergent movie - Allegiant in March '16, though it also may be split into two parts. Personally I hate this trend but, if they must they must I guess. I wonder if they made a quadrilogy would they stretch the movies to five?

Finally I would just like to take a moment to show respect to France and to those in Paris after last nights atrocities. My thoughts are with them and the whole world stands with you.

Be strong as the world unites.

Paul


 

BYTE: Awesome August

It's Awesome August... Hello!

In a month full of sunshine, comic-cons and festivals, here we are nearly at the end of August. Really, I should have written something by now but I do have a demanding full time job I'm doing in between watching all these movies (I have to pay for it somehow! ;-) )so I'm sorry for the late updated.

However lots has been happening in August - including recent movie releases. Although blockbuster season is upon us, a number of movies that have been advertised and released this month have failed miserably to set the stage alight.  Pixels was released to some soggy fireworks and an amazing yet scathing review (parental advisory if you click the link - lots of cursing!) of it too. Not only that the worst superhero movie in recent memory Fantastic Four was also released. Riddled with problems from the outset the final product was terrible too - and I'm saying that! You know how much I love my superhero movies.

There's still some movies to look forward to going forward including Star Wars: The Force Awakens in December and SPECTRE, the new James Bond in the Autumn too. Other movies that recently have come out that you may or may not fancy to see include - The Man From U.N.C.L.E, Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation and computer game based action/thriller Hitman: Agent 47. Sinister 2 hits movie screens too if you like your horror sequels.

Let's get to the computers - a new release from Rare had me reaching for my wallet - 30 of their classic games for the Xbox One - starting way back in the 80's to present day. Starting off in the early 80's with the games I grew up with on my ZX Spectrum, Rare Replay starts with Atic Attack and JetPac. Going through the decades via Battletoads and Killer Instinct in the 1990's to more recent 2000 hits like Viva Pinata and Perfect Dark Zero - I found this game pack to be very good value indeed. I purchased the limited edition version with the T-Shirt and, when I get time to play, I'll do a full review for you.

Star Wars will be the theme for  the next exciting installment of Disney Infinity 3.0 and will be available in the autumn too. It's definitely on my to buy list - and there will be more as I get it.

Sheffield Film and Comic Con was this month - and I'll give you a review soon enough as I attended it!   I introduced two of my friends to their first comic-con and they both enjoyed it too. Guests included Michael Biehn (from Terminator and Aliens), horror legend Robert Englund and Darth Vader himself David Prowse. Also there were legendary wrestlers "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan and Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase.  It wasn't as busy as other conventions I've been to but it was still excellent.

Looking at the latest stuff as well:

>   Xbox Live:  Games with Gold this month includes the full games of Metro 2033 and Metro Last Light and How To Survive Storm Warning Edition on XBOX 360 and for the posh 'uns who have XBOX ONE you are treated to Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes to download free if you are a subscriber.

>  PSN: PS Plus this month is as follows:

PS4 has:

Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris

Limbo

Sound Shapes

Stealth Inc. 2: A Game of Clones

PS3 gets:

CastleStorm

God of War: Ascension

Sound Shapes

Stealth Inc. 2: A Game of Clones

Vita receives:

CastleStorm

Sound Shapes

Stealth Inc. 2: A Game of Clones

Of course usual rules apply in that if you stop your subscription those games'll stop workin'.

As always we have Loot Crate and Nerd Block (this months has actually been excellent as I've received it now) unboxings to look forward to...

...AND Marvel Collector Corps in August is based on Secret Wars! Apparently it's been dispatched! 

It's time to go now but - have an Awesome August and I'll see you soon.

Keep being awesome!

Until next time

Paul

BYTE: Mighty March - or, to some, St David's Day

Hey guys

Welcome to March - a month that came quickly and is full of excitement for me.
As February left us behind - with some interesting film releases (including the hyped to heck Fifty Shades of Grey and Jupiter Ascending) and my first comic-con of the year at Teesside Unleashed 5.
We had the BRIT awards with Madonna's slip and sadness with the passing of Leonard Nimoy, our honorary grandfather. #LLAP

My blog is getting more views and I'm working behind the scenes to set up my youtube channel and getting everything in place for that. Also I'm going to no less than 2 conventions this month including the Sci Fi Weekender which I'm really looking forward to.

There's more film releases this month too - including Divergent Series: Insurgent among others.

I've signed up to subscribe to Star Wars Online - that is, The Old Republic AKA SWTOR so if you'd like to join me on there - add paulosolo and you can explore the galaxy with me.

Looking at the latest stuff as well:

>   Xbox Live:  Games with Gold this month hosts the full game of Tomb Raider on XBOX 360 and for the posh 'uns who have XBOX ONE you are treated to Rayman Legends and #IDARB to download free if you are a subscriber.
>  PSN: PS Plus this month hasn't really updated just yet but as of today you have Thief and Yakuza 4 on PS3, Kick and Fennick for the Vita and Transistor and Apotheon on PS4. If you're into multi format there is also a game called Rogue Legacy that you can download for all three. Of course these are active while your subscription is and will cease working if you are not a member.

As always we have Loot Crate and Nerd Block unboxings to look forward to. The themes look ace this month and, if you subscribe to Arcade Block (Nerdblock's sister service) you will get 2 t-shirts this month. I'm thinking of taking advantage of that exclusive offer.

Anyway I've wrote enough now - have a MEGA MARCH and I'll see you soon.

Until next time

Paul