Save the rebellion. Save the dream.
Are you ready to join the rebellion with Rogue One? I know I am. This is the story we have been looking for.
I remember watching the original trilogy and asking questions.
How did Princess Leia get the plans?
A tiny flaw? Really? No one caught that?
Who were the rebel spies? Rogue One has the answers you are looking for.
The answer is no.
Knowing that the rebels get the plans does not ruin the movie. I was on the edge of my seat, trying to keep from biting my nails, reminding myself that they do get the plans. Because seriously it really looked like it wasn't going to happen!
The movie begins in a galaxy far, far away with a young Jyn Erso and her father, Galen Erso. We learn that Galen, once an employee of the empire is in hiding. But they catch up to him and drag him back. He must finish what he started, the Planet Killer. Or as you might know it by, the Death Star.
Years pass, and Jyn is rescued by the rebellion in order to help find her father. We learn that the empire is harvesting Kyber Crystals to fuel their new weapon. Those are the same crystals used in Jedi lightsabers. That can't be good. They must be stopped of course but the rebels need some help. They believe Saw Gerrera (from the Clone Wars) will know the location of Galen but convincing him to help might not be so easy.
Jyn is reluctant, despite everything to join the cause. All it has brought her is pain, so why fight? But she is reminded by her new rebel friends, that they have all lost something or even everything. To stand by and let the empire win is to let evil reign.
Rogue One stays true to the Star Wars legacy, in that not only will the action draw you in but also the characters. You become attached to them and their fight. And if you are like me, have to refrain from cheering them on out loud. I guess I will have to wait for the blu-ray to do that.
With that connection comes the deep emotional reaction to the movie itself. The line from A New Hope of “Many Rebel spies died…” now hits home.
Rogue One shows the dark side of the time between Episodes 3 and 4. And just how fragile the rebellion was. Sometimes things aren't so black and white, good or evil. The rebels, like ourselves, are not always 100% confident in their abilities. We can see ourselves in the flaws of these amazing characters.
Darth Vader
I won't lie. I was anxiously awaiting this moment. Darth Vader. Lord Vader, back on the big screen. Eek! Serious nerd moment. The smoke swirling around him, the ominous feeling that his presence brings. I almost couldn't stay seated.
I might have a new favorite Darth Vader scene.
Star Wars Rebels
I'm throwing this part in for the all things Star Wars fans. This is where it gets interesting for the future. Star Wars Rebels and Rogue One are close to each other in the Star Wars timeline. Everything I have read points to Rebels season 4 being the one that brings Ezra and the gang into collision with Rogue One. This means Rogue One characters just might be showing up in the Rebel universe and I am so ready for that!
And in the end, what did they accomplish?
They were able to send hope. Hope that the empire will fall. Hope in ourselves and the power that comes from the few when they stand together for what is right.
