Written by William G Chandler Jr., April 20, 2016, at 6:44 p.m.
Rogue One Makes Us More Primal
Star Wars always allows me to consider the big picture. It was as simple as Episodes I, II, and III, a long time ago. Star Wars: Rogue One, adds new seams to the saga. The Star Wars: Rogue One trailer, as described at IMDB, tells the story of a group of rebels mission to capture plans for the Death Star.
This epic is a very touchy subject for me. As an aspiring, amateur film writer, I wanted at least one of these films under my belt. The universe, as part of this intergalactic landscape, allows for so much imagination.
Rogue One, directed by Gareth Edwards, will have life. Godzilla was hearty. Monsters was effective. Edwards will tell a good story, with the help of George Lucas, John Knoll, and Gary Whitta. All the Star Wars films require a strong imagination, but this one will stray from the familiar territory.
When you see actors like Felicity Jones, Alan Tudyk, Forest Whitaker, Donnie Yen, Ben Mendelsohn, and Mads Mikkelson, it presents a new, galactic anticipation. You always knew rebel activity happened. The idea that you ground yourself to that lifestyle presents new dangers, reason, and expectations. Jedi and Sith, while they may be in this piece, come out, in their films, as part of a supernatural story arc.
Rebel paths usually end in destruction, torture, and sacrifice. This kind of heist film looks to be dirty. There might not be a Force push to prevent blaster fire. If that powerful Sith shows up, it might just be the end of a solid character. Some human characters face insurmountable odds and win, but suffer.
This film takes place before The Force Awakens. Darkness, before the final blow to the Death Star, awaits popcorn fans. This is the oppression of the galactic empire, and no Vaseline. This story needs to happen, with rebels that turncoat, those who die, and who overcome even greater odds. It speaks to me because the story seems different. You know the Death Star goes down. December 2016, we will all know what was lost to make it happen.
I can see Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, and analyze it. The idea that Obi-Wan Kenobi battles Anakin Skywalker seems stupid to me. It makes more sense, in my opinion, that Obi-Wan Kenobi takes on Emperor Palpatine. If Yoda takes on Anakin Skywalker and realizes in his battle, his arrogance destroys, a powerful student, Anakin can learn to hate the Jedi order. Yoda can learn to humble himself. Obi-Wan can battle the emperor not to lose, but to realize he can succumb to the dark side under the right influence. That can make him go into hiding.
This story does not pull from that lineage. It has one purpose. It introduces new faces and tells a simple tragic, tale. The Rebel initiative did not simply see Death Star and figure it had to have some weak point. The map did not just appear. Rogue One intrigues.