Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)

[Gonk the Insane]

We're down to days now until the film is released, and I'm really looking forward to seeing the movie.

I grew up with Star Wars and have always loved the films. And although this film is a little different in that it's not part of the new trilogy and instead is a look back, filling in the backstory, I find I am still incredibly excited about it. Do others feel the same way, or do people look at this as, for example, a cheap effort by Disney to milk the franchise for all it's worth, or less relevant because - to a certain extent, as it's historical - we can guess pretty much how it may end?

And who's going to see it, and when? I'll be going next Sunday, the 18th. One week to go!!!

And can we please try and avoid spoilers or wrap them in spoiler tags? Pretty please?

 

[Dave]

And can we please try and avoid spoilers or wrap them in spoiler tags? Pretty please?

Spoilers? Can there really be any?

EPISODE 3½​

A period of civil war. The Rebellion has been recruiting crop-spraying farm-boys to become pilots. From their hidden base, the Rebels have yet to achieve a single victory over the evil Galactic Empire. The Empire has meanwhile secretly designed a giant planet killing space station, which is being colloquially called the "Death Star," and which, if built, they will use to threaten any worlds that do not toe the Imperial line.

If a copy of the plans could somehow be stolen. There is a chance, however slim, that some weakness might be found and exploited.

 

[Rodders]

I am really looking forward to this movie.

It's actually quite clever of Disney. They captured a lot of new fans with The Force Awakens, and now they're reeling in the fans of the Original trilogy with those movie.

 

[Gonk the Insane]

Spoilers? Can there really be any?

Ha, fair point, Dave. Probably not in terms of the overall series/universe story progression. Anyone who's seen Episode IV probably has a fair idea of the ultimate end result and that, well,

Spoiler

an unspecified number of Bothans may have had a rather unpleasant time along the way.

I was thinking more in terms of within the film in case there's some big revelation part way through that might spoil if for others like "OMG, the main character is actually Darth Vader's big sister and she bullied him and that's really why he turned to the darkside" or something like that

 

[BAYLOR]

I think this one is going to be an even bigger hit then The Force Awakens.

 

[Cli-Fi]

We're down to days now until the film is released, and I'm really looking forward to seeing the movie.

I grew up with Star Wars and have always loved the films. And although this film is a little different in that it's not part of the new trilogy and instead is a look back, filling in the backstory, I find I am still incredibly excited about it. Do others feel the same way, or do people look at this as, for example, a cheap effort by Disney to milk the franchise for all it's worth, or less relevant because - to a certain extent, as it's historical - we can guess pretty much how it may end?

And who's going to see it, and when? I'll be going next Sunday, the 18th. One week to go!!!

And can we please try and avoid spoilers or wrap them in spoiler tags? Pretty please?

When it was first announced I thought it was going to be crappy, but everything I've seen from the trailers to the fan reactions to the reviews of insiders and critics all say it was great. The cast were shocked at how well it turned out, or maybe that's just because they are shocked that they are in a Star Wars Movie. The hype is great for this one, and I hope it lives up to it's full potential, I have a slight problem with the plot, but I think it's also a great move by Disney to ease people into the Star Wars Universe again before going full speed ahead into more ahem, weirder territory. That's not to say that there aren't limitations with not taking more of a risk this time.

I might see it friday...

 

[Dave]

...I have a slight problem with the plot...

I do too, if it revolves around a story to steal a "paper copy" of the Death Star plans with a "snatch mission."

Why not just train up some Rebel tech-based species to hack into the Empire's network severs? (And to change Darth Vader's Jedi school grades at the same time.)

I'll still be going to see it in any case.

BTW I have no idea if either of those might be the plot or not, but I'm speculating, based purely upon the number of spacecraft and AT-ATs shown in the advertising, that it has nothing to do with cyber-crime and crackers.

 

[Cli-Fi]

I do too, if it revolves around a story to steal a "paper copy" of the Death Star plans with a "snatch mission."

Why not just train up some Rebel tech-based species to hack into the Empire's network severs? (And to change Darth Vader's Jedi school grades at the same time.)

I'll still be going to see it in any case.

BTW I have no idea if either of those might be the plot or not, but I'm speculating, based purely upon the number of spacecraft and AT-ATs shown in the advertising, that it has nothing to do with cyber-crime and crackers.

From the looks of it that does seem to be the plot. With a good smattering of long-lost family who just happen to be essential to destroying the Empire to beat. I think people get it in their heads that Star Wars is supposed to be this complex thing, when it's really, really not. This is the thing that bothers me about Star Wars in general it's way too much focused on the action and less on actual plot details, character development and story.

That's not to say that there haven't been really great and complex Star Wars novels. I've read some of them and they are even better than the films. That type of thing may not translate well to the films for a general audience though and so far Disney has not been willing to take that risk with Star Wars and all the rumors of upcoming Star Wars movies to date.

They might have wanted to stick to the cookie-cutter plot one more time until they are comfortable with the direction they want to go.

 

[Stewart Hotston]

It's Gareth Edwards. I have no concerns

 

[Brian G Turner]

The TV spots on YouTube look great, and certainly ramp up expectations - which can be a little dangerous.

 

[Culhwch]

I grew up with Star Wars and have always loved the films. And although this film is a little different in that it's not part of the new trilogy and instead is a look back, filling in the backstory, I find I am still incredibly excited about it. Do others feel the same way, or do people look at this as, for example, a cheap effort by Disney to milk the franchise for all it's worth, or less relevant because - to a certain extent, as it's historical - we can guess pretty much how it may end?

And who's going to see it, and when? I'll be going next Sunday, the 18th. One week to go!!!

I'm actually more excited for this than I was for The Force Awakens. I was a huge fan of the original trilogy, and was deeply immersed in the expanded universe throughout my teen years, and to me this looks like an expanded universe novel brought to the big screen. It feels a lot more like the Star Wars I know and love, in a way TFA never did. I'm seeing it Saturday afternoon - bought my tickets last night!

Anyone who's seen Episode IV probably has a fair idea of the ultimate end result and that, well,

Spoiler

an unspecified number of Bothans may have had a rather unpleasant time along the way.

Sigh. I feel like a broken record at this point. The famous Bothans were involved in obtaining the second Death Star plans, as noted by Mon Mothma in Return of the Jedi. The first Death Star plans were stolen simply by 'Rebel spies' of unnamed species. Turns out, mostly humans. And a robot.

 

[Juliana]

We're going on Saturday, I can't wait. I shall buy a big tub of popcorn and have a lovely time.

 

[Parson]

At this point my son and I are planning on Tuesday. I'm not sure I can wait that long, but it's the first date that works for both of us. (Our wives believe that we are hopelessly nerdy! --- Some complaints hurt less than others do.

 

[Gonk the Insane]

I was a huge fan of the original trilogy, and was deeply immersed in the expanded universe throughout my teen years, and to me this looks like an expanded universe novel brought to the big screen.

Ditto. I read dozens of the expanded universe novels, and loved most of them. I'm sure I read somewhere that Disney decided to sort of ignore everything in the expanded universe post ROTJ, which I thought was a shame on the one hand, but on the other means anything could happen.

Sigh. I feel like a broken record at this point. The famous Bothans were involved in obtaining the second Death Star plans, as noted by Mon Mothma in Return of the Jedi.

Ah. Well, I'm totally mortified that I got confused over that. I really should have remembered, but thanks for pointing it out, Culhwch (I was muddled enough I was starting to think the whole thing would end with everyone dead and the Bothans sneaking through a door at the end to steal the plans or something!).
In my defence... No, there is no defence for such a massive error! Especially (and this makes it worse) as I rewatched the trilogy within the last year.

 

[Culhwch]

Ditto. I read dozens of the expanded universe novels, and loved most of them. I'm sure I read somewhere that Disney decided to sort of ignore everything in the expanded universe post ROTJ, which I thought was a shame on the one hand, but on the other means anything could happen.

As much as I loved a lot of the EU, there was some really bad stuff in there as well, and it's probably a good thing when all is said and done that they started fresh. But they have said they are open to cherry-picking out anything they want, and have done so already with a character like Thrawn appearing in Rebels. And though I don't think it's deliberate, Rogue One puts me in mind of the Wraith Squadron novels.

Ah. Well, I'm totally mortified that I got confused over that. I really should have remembered, but thanks for pointing it out, Culhwch (I was muddled enough I was starting to think the whole thing would end with everyone dead and the Bothans sneaking through a door at the end to steal the plans or something!).
In my defence... No, there is no defence for such a massive error! Especially (and this makes it worse) as I rewatched the trilogy within the last year.

Don't feel too bad - I've lost count of the number of times I've seen this mistake made! I think it's Mon Mothma appearing in this one that does it.

 

[Coast]

I was a huge fan of the original trilogy, and was deeply immersed in the expanded universe throughout my teen years, and to me this looks like an expanded universe novel brought to the big screen. It feels a lot more like the Star Wars I know and love, in a way TFA never did.

Ditto.

I was too young for the originals in cinema, but grew up with the trilogy taped on VHS, inherited the older siblings SW toys, read the EU, etc. I dreamed of more Star Wars movies, and then the prequel trilogy happened - lets just say, not what I'd hoped or imagined.

I saw Rogue tonight, and I was blown away. I won't say anymore for now, just to say that it lived up to my younger (pre-prequel) self's expectations of what Star Wars should/could be.

 

[JunkMonkey]

I haven't seen any of the trailers and read nothing about it but when last month's Empire magazine arrived in the post it had a Rogue One poster attached - "Oh wow!" I thought. "Another bloody Death Star! How original."
Apparently though this is the first Death Star. I doubt if I shall bother. After the crashing bore that was The Force Awakens I'm bored with the whole damn toy franchise.

 

[Rodders]

I think this one looks like it's worth a go, Junk Monkey.

It looks a little more adult in tone.

 

[JunkMonkey]

Adult in tone or content? If they're just adding gritty 'realism' to a childish plot - meh.

Do they explain I wonder (but probably not enough to make me go see it) the gaping plot chasm that opened up between 'episodes' 3 & 4?

In 3 everyone seems to have instant transgalactic real time face to face communication, in 4 they're having to smuggle a hard copy of secret plans they could have easily faxed across to rebel HQ.

 

[Bugg]

I saw Rogue tonight, and I was blown away. I won't say anymore for now, just to say that it lived up to my younger (pre-prequel) self's expectations of what Star Wars should/could be.

Likewise. It's a cracker.