REVIEW

       Opening with a stunning sprightly olive green landscape on the Outer Rim ice planet of Vallt, the audience is introduced to an exasperated Jyn Erso, daughter of former scientist Galen Erso. According to Mark Kermode of The Guardian, “Felicity Jones fronts the resistance against the Empire in a convincing spin-off that blends nostalgia with cutting-edge CGI.” With a Rotten Tomatoes movie review of 85% on their Tomatometer, and an audience score of 88%, critics came to the consensus that “Rogue One draws deep on Star Wars mythology while breaking new narrative and aesthetic ground — and suggesting a bright blockbuster future for the franchise” (https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/rogue_one_a_star_wars_story/).

          Rogue One was released on December 16^th, 2016, and raked in a whopping $1.03 billion in box office revenues. Directed by Gareth Edwards, Rogue One is meant to be set between Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith and Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope. As an electrifying and often times exceedingly emotive science fiction and action film, Rogue One is said to be “the prequel … for the original generation of Star Wars fans who weren’t sure what to make of episodes one, two, and three,” according to Peter Debruge of Variety.

          I recently watched this film at the Sundial Movie Theatre in downtown St. Petersburg on February 4^th. Almost immediately, I was taken aback by the brilliantly modified and filmed scenery chosen to represent Jyn’s home planet, and correspondingly drawn in by the small child running panicked across the landscape. My favorite character is Cassian Andor, played by Diego Luna, an esteemed Rebel Alliance Intelligence Officer. I give this film two thumbs up and a “YES!” In general, if you’re a Star Wars fanatic like me, you’ll love this film, but if you don’t appreciate excruciatingly emotional tear-jerkers, this film is probably not for you.