Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (12/16/16) *SPOILERS*

[karamazov80]

Could be. But definition of fan service is that they are giving the fans what they want, no? And I'm not judging those who like the film. I'm judging the film on its merits, and making presumptions about the motivating forces based on that. So don't misunderstand me, though I know it easy to see criticism that way.

But for me personally, the emotional weight of lots of other movies out there blows anything from this film straight out of the water. Looking recently, Manchester by the Sea or Midnight Special for example. Or even Hunt for the Wilderpeople. In these action blockbusters, like Star Wars and Marvel, it appears to my eyes more just part of the formula. But Mads is a terrific actor, and does the best he can with the situation he's in and material he's given. So the filmmakers get credit for that casting decision.

 

[Wor-Gar]

I thought Mads was better than Mendlesohn actually.

I don't really watch Star Wars movies for the acting, but its blatantly clear when its missing... PT.

 

[ZaCHw117]

I thought Mads was better than Mendlesohn actually.

I don't really watch Star Wars movies for the acting, but its blatantly clear when its missing... PT.

I think both did pretty good, but yeah Mads was better and left me wanting to know more about his character.

IMHO, R1 is the best acted SW movie to date. They really nailed the cast.

 

[Mad Old Lu]

I have RO coming from Netflix, so I’ll be watching it tomorrow. It’ll only be my second watching of the movie, my first since I saw it in the theater, and I’m looking forward to seeing if my opinion of it will change.

I liked the movie fine, but I have found myself disliking it the more I thought about it. “Disliking” is perhaps too strong a word, but certainly not remembering it as fondly as I do TFA or even other big movies like the Marvel movies. But I keep reading the seemingly endless and universal praising of the movie on this board (with some notable exceptions like from kara, whose opinion I value), and it really makes me scratch my head, especially because inevitably, someone has to bring up and tear down TFA in comparison. I unequivocally liked TFA more, so it’s a bit frustrating to read all these posts that are mostly unanimous in their opinion that RO is great and TFA is trash.

The biggest hangup I remember having with RO was simply the characters. I just wasn’t engaged by them and they didn’t feel all that fleshed out to me. I will admit that there was a turning point for me when Jyn watches the hologram, and from there on the movie was more engaging. But that was pretty much half way, wasn’t it? It took an hour for the lead character to finally become interesting enough to want to follow.

So for me, it wasn’t really about RO overdoing the nostalgia, or not having enough action, or crappy CGI. It was simply not having characters that I cared about to want to follow and feel something when they reached the end.

I’ve seen people here mention that they like the movie even better after repeated viewings, so I’m hoping maybe watching it anew with fresh eyes will change my bland feelings towards it.

 

[Wor-Gar]

I think the characters definitely improve the more you watch it -- but that can be said of anything and certainly doesn't bode well for character development, meaning if you have to get a bunch of background stuff to care about a character then he isn't working on his own merit.

That said, I loved the movie the very first time I saw it. But I was not drawn to any of the characters except K-2. I was intrigued by Cassian since out of the gate he coldly murders someone. I didn't like Chirrut, but have warmed up to him. I liked tough-guy Baze but he was so background most of the time. Unfortunately -- and Khev will kill me -- I've never really connected with Jyn or felt her casting was spot on. If I could recast anybody, it would be her. I think I'd prefer a livelier, more rascally "thief" who appears at first to be using the mission as her escape plan, until she actually receives her father's transmission and has a change of heart. I think Felicity played it a little too pouty for me. But again, I love the movie.

It's a weird love affaire. Only movie I can think of that I love but have no connection or desire to collect heroes from.

 

[FlyAndFight]

I've just finished catching up to the last 20 or so pages of great back and forth banter and talking points. Great stuff, guys.

My quick take on "Rogue One" is the following:

After the disappointment of the Prequels and TFA's "A New Hope" reboot storyline, I had pushed in all of my chips on "Rogue One" as the film that would bring the Star Wars magic back (to me) and save the franchise (for me).

Standing in line at the theater with my fellow "Star Wars nuts", I told one bud, "All I want is for the film to end, the credits to roll and for me to be able to stand up and applaud the film." (which I had absolutely no desire to, for the PT and TFA.)

Once the film ended, my bud turned to me and asked, "Well?". I stood up and clapped profusely.

RO did have some rough moments, I'll admit, but the most important thing it provided to me was that it brought back that Star Wars magic. For that alone, I am grateful for the team that brought us that film. I'm just hoping that TLJ will not only be a terrific film but that it will lift TFA in the process by explaining at least some of the countless plot threads that were left hanging. At least we'll be able to say, "Aha! Now that makes sense." and appreciate TFA as part of a bigger trilogy. My fear is that they will follow the path of least resistance/risk and give us "Empire Strikes Back 2.0".

 

[Bo Shrek]

Only movie I can think of that I love but have no connection or desire to collect heroes from.

For me its everything new SW!! Mind you I would collect the 3 3/4" Alien characters if the figures did not look like tiny little crap 5PA!!!

 

[jye4ever]

I have RO coming from Netflix, so I’ll be watching it tomorrow. It’ll only be my second watching of the movie, my first since I saw it in the theater, and I’m looking forward to seeing if my opinion of it will change.

I liked the movie fine, but I have found myself disliking it the more I thought about it. “Disliking” is perhaps too strong a word, but certainly not remembering it as fondly as I do TFA or even other big movies like the Marvel movies. But I keep reading the seemingly endless and universal praising of the movie on this board (with some notable exceptions like from kara, whose opinion I value), and it really makes me scratch my head, especially because inevitably, someone has to bring up and tear down TFA in comparison. I unequivocally liked TFA more, so it’s a bit frustrating to read all these posts that are mostly unanimous in their opinion that RO is great and TFA is trash.

The biggest hangup I remember having with RO was simply the characters. I just wasn’t engaged by them and they didn’t feel all that fleshed out to me. I will admit that there was a turning point for me when Jyn watches the hologram, and from there on the movie was more engaging. But that was pretty much half way, wasn’t it? It took an hour for the lead character to finally become interesting enough to want to follow.

So for me, it wasn’t really about RO overdoing the nostalgia, or not having enough action, or crappy CGI. It was simply not having characters that I cared about to want to follow and feel something when they reached the end.

I’ve seen people here mention that they like the movie even better after repeated viewings, so I’m hoping maybe watching it anew with fresh eyes will change my bland feelings towards it.

Great post, I felt that way about the first 2 acts on my first viewing as well but I now love the entire movie.

I think the characters definitely improve the more you watch it -- but that can be said of anything and certainly doesn't bode well for character development, meaning if you have to get a bunch of background stuff to care about a character then he isn't working on his own merit.

That said, I loved the movie the very first time I saw it. But I was not drawn to any of the characters except K-2. I was intrigued by Cassian since out of the gate he coldly murders someone. I didn't like Chirrut, but have warmed up to him. I liked tough-guy Baze but he was so background most of the time. Unfortunately -- and Khev will kill me -- I've never really connected with Jyn or felt her casting was spot on. If I could recast anybody, it would be her. I think I'd prefer a livelier, more rascally "thief" who appears at first to be using the mission as her escape plan, until she actually receives her father's transmission and has a change of heart. I think Felicity played it a little too pouty for me. But again, I love the movie.

It's a weird love affaire. Only movie I can think of that I love but have no connection or desire to collect heroes from.

Interesting.

Khev...

Kill him....do it now.

I've just finished catching up to the last 20 or so pages of great back and forth banter and talking points. Great stuff, guys.

My quick take on "Rogue One" is the following:

After the disappointment of the Prequels and TFA's "A New Hope" reboot storyline, I had pushed in all of my chips on "Rogue One" as the film that would bring the Star Wars magic back (to me) and save the franchise (for me).

Standing in line at the theater with my fellow "Star Wars nuts", I told one bud, "All I want is for the film to end, the credits to roll and for me to be able to stand up and applaud the film." (which I had absolutely no desire to, for the PT and TFA.)

Once the film ended, my bud turned to me and asked, "Well?". I stood up and clapped profusely.

RO did have some rough moments, I'll admit, but the most important thing it provided to me was that it brought back that Star Wars magic. For that alone, I am grateful for the team that brought us that film. I'm just hoping that TLJ will not only be a terrific film but that it will lift TFA in the process by explaining at least some of the countless plot threads that were left hanging. At least we'll be able to say, "Aha! Now that makes sense." and appreciate TFA as part of a bigger trilogy. My fear is that they will follow the path of least resistance/risk and give us "Empire Strikes Back 2.0".

Great post.

 

[jye4ever]

I almost posted a Peter Jackson King Kong gif of Kong (Khev) taking on the 2 T-Rex's (DiFabio and kara) but decided against it because DiFabio would've just posted a gif of Kong falling off the Empire State building lol.

 

[karamazov80]

[emoji38]

RO did have some rough moments, I'll admit, but the most important thing it provided to me was that it brought back that Star Wars magic. For that alone, I am grateful for the team that brought us that film.

I think that, essentially, this was the goal going in. And on that measure many would rank this film as a great success I bet.

Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk

 

[DiFabio]

King Kong ain't got **** on me.

 

[Khev]

IMHO, R1 is the best acted SW movie to date. They really nailed the cast.

Agreed. Like Wor-Gar said I don't go to a SW flick for the acting either but in RO's case it was a nice treat to actually notice how good it was.

I have RO coming from Netflix, so I’ll be watching it tomorrow. It’ll only be my second watching of the movie, my first since I saw it in the theater, and I’m looking forward to seeing if my opinion of it will change.

I liked the movie fine, but I have found myself disliking it the more I thought about it. “Disliking” is perhaps too strong a word, but certainly not remembering it as fondly as I do TFA or even other big movies like the Marvel movies. But I keep reading the seemingly endless and universal praising of the movie on this board (with some notable exceptions like from kara, whose opinion I value), and it really makes me scratch my head, especially because inevitably, someone has to bring up and tear down TFA in comparison. I unequivocally liked TFA more, so it’s a bit frustrating to read all these posts that are mostly unanimous in their opinion that RO is great and TFA is trash.

The biggest hangup I remember having with RO was simply the characters. I just wasn’t engaged by them and they didn’t feel all that fleshed out to me. I will admit that there was a turning point for me when Jyn watches the hologram, and from there on the movie was more engaging. But that was pretty much half way, wasn’t it? It took an hour for the lead character to finally become interesting enough to want to follow.

So for me, it wasn’t really about RO overdoing the nostalgia, or not having enough action, or crappy CGI. It was simply not having characters that I cared about to want to follow and feel something when they reached the end.

I’ve seen people here mention that they like the movie even better after repeated viewings, so I’m hoping maybe watching it anew with fresh eyes will change my bland feelings towards it.

I hope you enjoy it more on a second viewing as well. As to TFA, I actually do still love that movie. But Rogue One so satisfied every need and want I could probably ever have from a new SW film that it allowed me to even question how much importance I put on TFA as a continuation of the story. It turns out RO+OT is the very best SW gets for me. TFA is still thoroughly enjoyable but I do admit that it is kind of amusing to mock certain aspects of it online. But it's good natured mocking, hell I'm one of the few who actually still likes the rathtar sequence.

and Khev will kill me -- I've never really connected with Jyn or felt her casting was spot on. If I could recast anybody, it would--HURK!! *gurgle*

"Be careful not to choke on your alternate casting choices Torturer of OCD..."

I almost posted a Peter Jackson King Kong gif of Kong (Khev) taking on the 2 T-Rex's (DiFabio and kara) but decided against it because DiFabio would've just posted a gif of Kong falling off the Empire State building lol.

This is how I feel against DiFabio's RO criticisms:

 

[jye4ever]

Bam! You just proved my point about Tarkin. You can't get any better than real footage of the living actors themselves and even *that* gets criticized. If the same characters don't appear in both films then it supposedly proves how disconnected they are from one another. If they do have the same characters in both films, even perfect footage of the same actors from the same era, then it's this giant "memba" moment. You guys might think you're on to something with the selective logic and double standards but we ain't buying it.

This post makes me proud to be on team Khev!

They didn't need to bring back all the original pilots of course. And the fact that other than Red and Gold Leader everyone else was new does indicate that they have more than just 20 or 30 total pilots. But one cool thing they did by bringing back Red and Gold Leader (as opposed to say, Wedge, who arguably would have been a bigger fan favorite) is that now for the first time in SW we have pilots that survived one space battle but died in another one. All other battles featured "one and done" pilots who appear only to die or Luke and Wedge at the other end of the extreme who survive every single battle. Very cool to have some guys survive one and then get taken out in another.

Once again it just adds more gravitas to ANH, specifically the DS attack in this case.

Love that aspect of the pilots surviving RO just to be killed in ANH, it's the continuation of the sacrifices made in RO.

 

[DiFabio]

This is how I feel against DiFabio's RO criticisms:

Don't cry bb, I'm just ****ing with you. RO is an okay, 7.5/10 flick.

 

[The Clown Prince of Crime]

That's how I felt after I saw RO.

 

[DiFabio]

That's how I felt after I saw RO.

Gareth Edwards was at your screening sitting next to you too?!

 

[Khev]

This post makes me proud to be on team Khev!

Love that aspect of the pilots surviving RO just to be killed in ANH, it's the continuation of the sacrifices made in RO.

Yep.

Don't cry bb, I'm just ****ing with you. RO is an okay, 7.5/10 flick.

Ha, I love this guy! Such a crack up!



Don't ever change bro, don't ever change.

That's how I felt after I saw RO.

Don't be sad little buddy, I've got just the thing to cheer you up:

Spoiler

 

[DiFabio]

Ha, I love this guy! Such a crack up!

Don't ever change bro, don't ever change.

 

[Khev]

Look at those tiny little punches that do nothing! It's Agent Smith vs. Neo all over again.

Or maybe you could ask Two-Face to teach your how to hit a guy.

 

[The Clown Prince of Crime]

Don't be sad little buddy, I've got just the thing to cheer you up:

Spoiler

Or maybe you could ask Two-Face to teach your how to hit a guy.

He's busy.