Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

REVIEW:

When Rogue One was first announced, I remember thinking… how is this going to work? A Star Wars film without Jedi, without lightsabers, without the Skywalkers? It felt like stripping away the very DNA of the franchise. But I couldn’t have been more wrong. Not only does it work, it proves that Star Wars can thrive outside of its core saga, and in doing so, it delivers one of the most unique and powerful entries in the entire series.

Rogue One has all the best elements of what we love about this franchise, compelling characters, mystery, immersive world building, adventure and fantasy. It feels familiar while still doing something completely different, and that balance is incredibly hard to pull off.

Visually, this is without a doubt the best looking Star Wars film ever made. A huge part of that comes down to director Gareth Edwards. His filmography might not be full of masterpieces, but one thing is undeniable, every film he makes looks incredible, and Rogue One is no exception. From the tropical beauty of Scarif, which somehow looks like a paradise under Imperial occupation, to the return to Yavin 4, everything feels grounded yet cinematic. It genuinely looks like it could slot straight into the original trilogy without missing a beat.

That visual quality is elevated even further by cinematographer Greig Fraser, whose work on films like Dune and The Batman speaks for itself. Every frame feels deliberate and immersive. You can feel the difference that comes from shooting on real locations too, with places like the Maldives, Iceland and Jordan giving the film a tangible, lived in quality that a green screen just can’t replicate.

There’s often discussion about the film’s production, particularly the involvement of Tony Gilroy in the reshoots, but it still very much feels like a Gareth Edwards film. The tone, the scale and the visual storytelling all carry his signature style, and the collaboration ultimately strengthens the final product.

What Rogue One has over something like Solo: A Star Wars Story is a story that fans genuinely wanted to see. The question of how the Death Star plans were obtained has always been part of Star Wars lore, and this film turns that small piece of exposition into something gripping and emotional. The entire sequence on Eadu was tense, and this is where the film really clicked for me. It shows an ugly side to the rebellion. They are the good guys, but they are forced to carry out questionable actions for the greater good. You feel the weight of their desperation, and I remember sitting there thinking how good this film actually is.

The Empire feels genuinely terrifying here. This is one of the darkest Star Wars films, and at times it feels more like a war movie than a space fantasy. Ben Mendelsohn is excellent as Director Krennic, bringing a mix of arrogance and desperation, while Mads Mikkelsen adds emotional weight, even if I do wish we had more of him. Felicity Jones delivers a strong and grounded performance as Jyn Erso, anchoring the film throughout.

There are so many standout moments, but the Darth Vader hallway scene is on another level. When the corridor goes dark and Darth Vader ignites his lightsaber, it is genuinely chilling. It is the most terrifying he has ever been on screen, effortlessly cutting through rebels using both the Force and his sheer presence.

And then everything comes together. The final act is nothing short of incredible. The scale, the action and the emotion all collide in a way that feels overwhelming in the best possible sense. You grow attached to these characters, and when you see the impending explosion moving towards Jyn and Cassian, you will be holding your breath. It is such a powerful and haunting moment that stays with you long after the scene ends.

Edwards’ ability to create scale is on full display throughout. You see it in the way the Death Star looms over Jedha, dwarfing everything beneath it, and in the moment where it fires on the city. Even at a fraction of its full power, the destruction is staggering. The space battle above Scarif is another highlight, a visual spectacle filled with X wings, TIE fighters and Star Destroyers clashing above a shielded planet. It is easily one of the most impressive sequences in the entire franchise.

There are also smaller details that really elevate the film. The imagery of fallen Jedi statues adds a sense of history and loss. K-2SO, voiced by Alan Tudyk, brings a dry wit that lands perfectly without undercutting the tone. Michael Giacchino delivers a fantastic score that complements the film’s darker approach. Even subtle moments, like the look on Riz Ahmed’s face when Saw Gerrera breathes through his air canister, the sound eerily similar to Darth Vader, tells you everything. You can see the fear in his face without a single word being said.

If there is a criticism, it is the digital recreation of characters like Grand Moff Tarkin and Princess Leia. While technically impressive, it can feel slightly distracting. It is the one moment that pulls you out of an otherwise flawless experience.

What really sets Rogue One apart, though, is its ending. This film was always designed to be a standalone story, and it fully commits to that. It takes risks that most blockbuster films would not dare to take, and because of that, the ending hits incredibly hard. The tension of watching the rebels desperately try to get the plans to Leia is gripping, and when it finally reaches Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, it feels seamless. The film ends with a rebel asking what she has been given, and her final line, “hope”, just fills me with joy.

I do not want to give too much away this early in my Star Wars review series, but Rogue One sits right at the very top for me. It is in joint position with my favourite Star Wars film, and that might be controversial, but it earns that place. The action is incredible, the visuals are stunning, the story is meaningful, and it proves that Star Wars can tell powerful stories beyond the Skywalker saga.