Reviews

This film could have been much better than it was. While not a bad movie, it doesn't ever justify its existence other than explaining some of the legends behind Han Solo that didn't need to be explained. The film has some pacing issues, mostly during the first act as it has to introduce characters, important settings, and begin the adventure all within around 30 minutes, causing the film to go through exposition followed by intense action and more exposition. The second act is fairly standard, and the third act is where the film picks up with the Kessel Run sequence and the introduction of the first rebels. Overall, however, the film is uneven and can feel pointless at times and never feels like the great Star Wars adventure it should be, often feeling like a film Frankensteined together with reshoots, probably due to the switching of directors between filming. Give it a watch if you want.

Rogue One is the first Star Wars film that feels similar to the originals since The Phantom Menace. Taking place during the Empire's rule yet again, we follow the rebels on a suicide mission in collecting the Death Star plans. The acting is incredible, the characters, while not the most interesting, definitely have chemistry and a sense of camaraderie between them, and the effects are some of the best out of all Star Wars films. The best of the Disney Star Wars films.

If you asked me 4 years ago what my least favorite Star Wars film was, it would be this one. Remembering the last time I watched it being when I was 7, I thought it was boring and uneventful and not worthy of a rewatch and until I was 17, I didn't watch it. However, after watching it at an older age, I appreciated the film more. Of course the Gungans are annoying, the CGI dated, and some of the dialogue is messy, the film sets up Anakin and his relationship with Obi-Wan and Padme, as well as fleshing out Obi-Wan's past. The fights are memorable for the most part, especially the last one, the manipulation starting within the government of the Republic is intriguing, and overall it feels like more is happening to move Anakin's story forward than the second film and does so in a more memorable way.

While I understand many don't like the prequels because of the poor dialogue and, at times, acting, I feel this film has less of it than the last two and brings the story of Anakin Skywalker's turn to the dark side to a satisfying conclusion. The film is the darkest in the franchise, has many great fight scenes, Palpatine is a joy to watch, and while still having some issues with dialogue, I can't knock the film down points because I thoroughly enjoy it overall. Ewan McGregor stands out as Obi-Wan, and with so many iconic moments in the film it ranks as one of my favorite Star Wars films.

I originally gave this episode a 10 out of 10 because I was caught up in the spectacle, but now, after hearing the opinions of others and thinking about the episode, it doesn't hold up as well. While still a good episode, the writing is what brings it down so much. The build up to the Night King and everything ending in one battle is anticlimactic, as well as the fact that Azor Ahai reborn, the main prophecy of R'hllor never comes to fruition. Ultimately I feel it is definitely better than most of the episodes this season, but that's not saying much. Still I enjoyed it decently but it has dropped significantly in my eyes as I have had more time to think about this episode.

After seeing the entirety of Season 8 as well as having time to reflect on this episode as a whole, I realize how blinded by spectacle I was. This episode certainly provides action and entertainment in a visual sense, but I found myself poking holes in the plot afterward. Why are certain characters shown to make emotional 180s in the course of a few minutes? Why is the most compelling aspect of this episode a brief duel that was foreshadowed many episodes ago between two brothers? Why do the characters feel cheap and two-dimensional, as if the writing is pushing them along rather than the actual circumstances? While first witnessing this episode, I feel that the spectacle overshadowed these story based issues and, upon the dogs**t finale, these flaws are made ever clearer. This episode has become, in my opinion, one of the most shallow episodes of the series, and sums up the entirety of Season 8: Spectacle over substance. When reviewing other titles in the future, I must ensure that the visual grandeur of a film/series does not blind me to the blatant carelessness when it comes to the story, lest I provide a surface level review that doesn't cover all of the flaws.