My god.
It. Was. AWESOME!!!!
Without a doubt Rogue One surpasses The Force Awakens, and in my opinion it strides past A New Hope and Return of the Jedi as well with only Empire Strikes Back ahead of it (which may change after I see it a second time this weekend), the reviews are saying that this is a Star Wars made for the fans, and I totally agree. The film has a lot of references to the original trilogy, but also to the Old Republic era games, and the cartoons Clone Wars and Rebels. But these references aren't gratuitous, rather they just feel like the director and crew really did research and share the fans passion for the setting. This was a much darker and grittier Star Wars than any before, even Empire wasn't as dark as Rogue One becomes once things really get going, and it was much more down to earth film which could be compared to Saving Private Ryan or The Guns of Navarone (i've not seen this one but it's a comparison that's making its way around the net), and I think that it worked wonderfully as the main stories have that fantastic feel to them, but with it's darker take on the setting Rogue One avoids the same criticisms leveled at The Force Awakens and the prequel trilogy while also setting itself apart from the original trilogy in both story and tone.
Loved the casting. Felicity Johnson did a great job as Jyn Erso, though their was less emphasis on her than I expected from the trailers while the movie focused on both her and Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) rather equally I felt. Donnie Yen's Chirrut Imwe was one of the three standouts of the new cast though, not only for the awesome martial arts scenes but also for being the character he is without having the Force. The showstealer though had to be Alan Tudyk's K-2SO who was completely hilarious and very very awesome, kind of like what I think R2 would be if he could actually talk. And Ben Mendelsohn's Director Krennic was a great villain for the film, but also as a supporter and contrast to the rest of the Imperial cast...
(Do NOT read this if you haven't seen the movie, seriously.)
Spoiler: Darth Vader was shown by the trailers but when Grand Moff Tarkin appeared I was pleased as hell. Seeing him from the back I knew it was him immediately and I wondered if they'd brought back Wayne Pygram, the actor who portrayed a younger Tarkin ten years ago in Revenge of the Sith. But they hadn't.
Instead he turned around and it was PETER CUSHING!! I was floored. It was Cushing, dead for twenty-two years and yet as large as life on the screen. I didn't even realize it was CGI until I read it after the film was over, it was that seamless to me. It was an incredible moment to see Tarkin on the screen again, though the original series was before my time so I can't imagine what it was like for people who saw A New Hope in cinemas so many years ago to see him once again. And the actor's performance was terrific to boot.
And of course Darth Vader. The director promised that this movie would show Vader at his scariest, something that has been lacking in Vader for a long time. And my good god did they deliver,
Spoiler: His scene with Director Krennic was intimidating as hell, his ease with Tarkin in Episode IV perhaps lulls the viewer into thinking that this is how Vader treats the Imperials he works with. It isn't, its how he treats somebody he respects. His scene with Krennic is how he treats those he doesn't, and throughout the entire conversation Vader utterly dominates Krennic while oozing utter contempt for the self-absorbed officer, not even bothering to look at him as he chokes him conveys the ultimate dismissal. Krennic isn't even worth turning around to look at while killing him.
And then the scene aboard the Rebel flagship. If there was ever a Star Wars scene that could be compared to a monster movie or a horror slasher film, this is it. Vader is a monster, appearing from the dark and then utterly mauling the Rebels with a mix of savage lightsabre strikes and brutal Force attacks, the Rebels panic is infectious and you can see that they know they are doomed. It's a hell of a scene and the only scene in the entire film with a lightsabre, and the second to show the Force, and if this doesn't make you scared of Vader again, nothing will.
Another aspect of the scene that I loved though was Vader's combat directions. The film shows him using prequel-style lightsabre choreography, spinning the blade and deflecting shots rather quickly, while retaining the same style he sported in the original trilogy, a reserved stance focusing on powerful single swings that hack his opponents down without the flourishes and flashy sword-work of the Jedi in Episodes I, II and III. This felt like the perfecting melding of old and new, and I think it will please both fans of the classic lightsabre duels and fans of the newer ones.
I cannot say enough about this movie. Every Star Wars fan should see it, no exceptions. A 10/10 from me, without a doubt. Whether it surpasses Empire as the greatest Star Wars movie is a tough question, maybe i'll have my answer after a second viewing but maybe not.