Rogue One may be the worst Star Wars movie to date
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That's just like, your opinion man. Plus, really hard to say 'worst star wars movie to date' when the Christmas Holiday Special still happened.
Jokes aside, it was alright. A perfectly serviceable use of 2 and a bit hours. A solid 6/10. Main protagonists sucked arse, but the secondary characters were all pretty fun and interesting, which was nice. Didn't really go in expecting much since it's a friggin' movie all about explaining a plot hole that everyone has parodied for the last 30+ years, and it's really hard to pick up the battle flags and proclaim it the worst and/or best movie ever when the entire plot is 'here's why there's a hole in the side of the thing'.
Jokes aside, it was alright. A perfectly serviceable use of 2 and a bit hours. A solid 6/10. Main protagonists sucked arse, but the secondary characters were all pretty fun and interesting, which was nice. Didn't really go in expecting much since it's a friggin' movie all about explaining a plot hole that everyone has parodied for the last 30+ years, and it's really hard to pick up the battle flags and proclaim it the worst and/or best movie ever when the entire plot is 'here's why there's a hole in the side of the thing'.
What, worse than that poorly paced, plothole ridden piece of nonsense with the entirely unlikable, weak protagonist that was the original movie? I'm having a hard time believing that.
(I sometimes restrain myself posting my opinions on these things, but if the OP can be a debbie downer, so can I)
(I sometimes restrain myself posting my opinions on these things, but if the OP can be a debbie downer, so can I)
While I won't proclaim to be an expert in animation, has it occurred to you that if Disney had stubbornly stuck with 2D after Pixar had proven the viability of 3D and say Universal had bought Pixar out then Disney as we know may no longer exist? I know that sounds insane and I love traditional animation too, but Disney made the right choice by seeing where audience wants were going and decided to stay in the game. Like it or lump it champ, but I'll take a world of 3D Disney Animation rather than one where Disney Animation is referred to in wholly past tense.Ezekiel said:
I think Wreck It Ralph is the only movie that benefitted from being CG animated as it actually suited the setting. But yeah, hand drawn or stop motion would be my preference by a huge margin. I think CG is fine, certainly passable but I've never really been blown away by the artwork the way I have been with beautiful traditional animation or stop motion. Even crude animation has managed to be wonderful, like the under water or drug trip episode of Bojack Horseman. Very simple animation style but still manages to do some gorgeous things with limited resources.Ezekiel said:
Just saw it, and I really liked it. It has some problems,mainly the pacing of the first half. The second half more than makes up for it.The main characters are probably the weakest characters but that is mainly due to the relentless pace of the movie not giving them room to flesh out, everyone else is more or less a trope so they didn't need the development. I found the side characters to be wonderful. Donie Yen is fantastic and probably my favorite character followed by k2 and the defector. There is also some winks to fans of the EU that most of the audience wont get, there is also plenty of lame fansevice too. The old republic era is now at least partially canon, although I get the feeling this is mainly to appease EA. Jane Urso isn't really a marry sue in this as her background explains how she is such a good fighter, and I do agree with other posters that her motivation is weak. Its not a perfect movie by any stretch but its different and I appreciate it far more than The Force Awakens, and I liked that movie too. They also had enough material to stretch into two movies which they didn't so kudos to that even though the story may have benefited from that.
In conclusion if you enjoyed watching the Battle of Hoth and the TIE fighter animated short you are going to love the second half of this film.
In conclusion if you enjoyed watching the Battle of Hoth and the TIE fighter animated short you are going to love the second half of this film.
I just got home from it like an hour ago and had a blast with it. As others have said, the first hour is wildly inconsistent. I liked most of the characters except Jyn Urso, but they weren't given much to do. It just plowed through events really quick without letting anything sink in. However, after a certain event in the movie it really started picking up. And the ending battle scene was absolutely astounding. Felt frantic and violent, the scale of the battle was amazing, and everyone got stuff to do. And the very ending, oh my god. I just about had an actual erection at how awesome it was. I have wanted a scene like that since I was a little kid. So overall, I quite liked it. It's not much for characters but it feels like a legit war movie in the Star Wars setting and if you are able to just enjoy the explosions at the end and some of the awesome call backs you'll have a great time. I'll probably see it again
Just saw it and enjoyed it. Fan Servicey, yep. First act was kind of all over the place. Sure. However, it got better as it went and it was fun to watch. It actually felt like a proper War/Commando movie rather then another chapter in the saga about 3 generations of whiney skywalkers.
Occasionally I was taken out of it by the wierdness of how the imperial military does business. Particularly how the archive tower works. Such as a civilization that has FTL travel/communication and planet destroying doomsday weapons doesn't understand digital storage and retrieval(or even automated retrieval, which the soda machine at work can pull off). Or the bizarrely inconsistent speed of the explosion on Jedha, which moved super slow until they got to their ship and then it moved super fast to they couldn't escape it without FTL.
As far as CGI, I can't tell if they CGId Peter Cushings face but the deaging Carrie Fisher just looked kinda wierd.
Occasionally I was taken out of it by the wierdness of how the imperial military does business. Particularly how the archive tower works. Such as a civilization that has FTL travel/communication and planet destroying doomsday weapons doesn't understand digital storage and retrieval(or even automated retrieval, which the soda machine at work can pull off). Or the bizarrely inconsistent speed of the explosion on Jedha, which moved super slow until they got to their ship and then it moved super fast to they couldn't escape it without FTL.
As far as CGI, I can't tell if they CGId Peter Cushings face but the deaging Carrie Fisher just looked kinda wierd.
I adore 2D traditional animation, but I also like CGI animation.....at least only this kind of CGI Animation, the Hyper Photo Realistic kind:Ezekiel said:
I just find making such realistic charcaters in CG fascinating.
But that kind of CGI is not popular, its always this kind of CG animation that's mainstream and prevailing:
Saw it, not even close to the worst one.
There were some wasted characters and the build up to getting everyone together was kind of meh, but I loved just about everything else. I liked that they showed that the Rebellion isn't just some wonderful shining light of goodness. The characters are morally grey and the Rebellion does some things that will make you question them.
Also, I like that the movie didn't really go where I thought:
Also, I actually think the movie makes A New Hope better. One of the movie's central plot points nicely addresses a major plothole of the first movie.
Word of advice: don't go in expecting a Vader movie. He's there, but not much. I wasn't expecting him to be a major part and what he was there for was great.
I think I liked it more than the prequel trilogy and A New Hope.
There were some wasted characters and the build up to getting everyone together was kind of meh, but I loved just about everything else. I liked that they showed that the Rebellion isn't just some wonderful shining light of goodness. The characters are morally grey and the Rebellion does some things that will make you question them.
Also, I like that the movie didn't really go where I thought:
Seriously, who thought Disney would have the balls to kill off all the main characters? I know everyone kind of thought it would make sense for them all to die, but this is a movie that Disney knows there's going to be piles of kids seeing. You'd think they'd do some kind of write out of the series, but not kill off kind of move. Nope, everyone is dead.
Also, I actually think the movie makes A New Hope better. One of the movie's central plot points nicely addresses a major plothole of the first movie.
Word of advice: don't go in expecting a Vader movie. He's there, but not much. I wasn't expecting him to be a major part and what he was there for was great.
I think I liked it more than the prequel trilogy and A New Hope.
Rogue One was better than Episode VII for me, and there was actually a point where it was right underneath Empire Strikes Back for my favorite Star Wars experience ever, but the filmmakers snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.
The first act is great and the film as a whole looks gorgeous, but moves at such a pace (somehow not even quickly) that it runs right past a lot of necessary character development. The plot around the periphery is actually surprisingly shaded and developed, but the main characters rarely evolve beyond their one trait and do the Suicide Squad thing of declaring each other blood brothers/sisters despite not actually having talked to one another beyond brief exchanges of exposition and quips.
Say what you will about the ridiculous horse-shit that is the Fast and Furious franchise, but their declarations of "family" at least has shared history behind it.
A "for example":
tl;dr: Act One = Great, Act Two = Somehow both rushes and drags, Act Three = Good, but lacking necessary context.
Edit: As an aside, facial CG just ain't there yet, filmmakers. Don't have it front and center.
The first act is great and the film as a whole looks gorgeous, but moves at such a pace (somehow not even quickly) that it runs right past a lot of necessary character development. The plot around the periphery is actually surprisingly shaded and developed, but the main characters rarely evolve beyond their one trait and do the Suicide Squad thing of declaring each other blood brothers/sisters despite not actually having talked to one another beyond brief exchanges of exposition and quips.
Say what you will about the ridiculous horse-shit that is the Fast and Furious franchise, but their declarations of "family" at least has shared history behind it.
A "for example":
When Blind Chinese Monk is introduced (yes, it's a bad sign I can't remember his name), it's as a street fortune-teller or something and he and Jyn start getting into a debate about "the Force". So far, so good. Then, in a move serving as metaphor for the entire film, handsome sidekick tells her to hurry up because they've got plot to run to and we hardly hear Chinese Monk speak words other than "I am one with the force, the force is with me" like some evangelical Pokemon ever again.
tl;dr: Act One = Great, Act Two = Somehow both rushes and drags, Act Three = Good, but lacking necessary context.
Edit: As an aside, facial CG just ain't there yet, filmmakers. Don't have it front and center.
Yeah, almost shockingly fast. Her swing from "I don't want to be part of your war" to "Rebellions are built on hope" seems to happen really, really quickly.Dansen said:
Not even close to the worst Star Wars movie, I liked this one more than any of the prequel movies, and it definitely wasn't rehashing plot points as much as VII did, it reminds me of Return of the Jedi, competent, fun, with some flaws and stupid points.
I worry we will get Star Wars fatigue with all these movies, but right now at least I prefer Disney's careful but competent approach over Lucas' bombastic screw ups.
I worry we will get Star Wars fatigue with all these movies, but right now at least I prefer Disney's careful but competent approach over Lucas' bombastic screw ups.
Welp, I thought I'd update since I just watched it. It had some problems, but I thought it was a great film. Probably the best action film of the year. I would even say it was better then I expected.Saelune said:
I would place it above the prequels and episode seven by a large margin. They're not even in the same league. I almost placed it above Return of the Jedi, but they screwed the pooch in the last five seconds or so.
Pros
I liked that the Rebellion came across as a paranoid terrorist group that had to get their hands dirty in order to achieve their goals. I especially like the fact that one of their top military commanders turned into Captain Kurtz, and disappeared into the dessert. They come across as somewhat deranged and ruthless, and less naive. Both sides of the conflict felt more fleshed out and realistic.
I liked the special effects. There was a clear effort to make everything feel grounded in reality. The practical effects were much better then in TFA. It was a refreshing change of pace.
It made the Empire threatening again. Seeing the Death Star eclipse the sun before blowing up a city was incredible. It only destroyed a single city, and yet it felt more threatening then when Death Planet blew up an entire solar system in Episode 7. The storm troopers and AT-AT's felt like a real threat, and Vader's scene near the end felt like a scene from a horror movie. It was phenomenal.
The script was much more focused then 7, and the characters were far more likable. Characters behaved in a rational way for once, and the writers clearly wrote more then a single draft. It wasn't perfect, but it makes me feel like Disney might actually be able to take the franchise in the right direction. They actually took some risks with this one, and they paid off in a big way.
I liked the special effects. There was a clear effort to make everything feel grounded in reality. The practical effects were much better then in TFA. It was a refreshing change of pace.
It made the Empire threatening again. Seeing the Death Star eclipse the sun before blowing up a city was incredible. It only destroyed a single city, and yet it felt more threatening then when Death Planet blew up an entire solar system in Episode 7. The storm troopers and AT-AT's felt like a real threat, and Vader's scene near the end felt like a scene from a horror movie. It was phenomenal.
The script was much more focused then 7, and the characters were far more likable. Characters behaved in a rational way for once, and the writers clearly wrote more then a single draft. It wasn't perfect, but it makes me feel like Disney might actually be able to take the franchise in the right direction. They actually took some risks with this one, and they paid off in a big way.
Cons
There was some choppy editing at the start of the film. It doesn't really hurt the film, and I thought it was good the whole way through, but it definitely jumps around a lot.
The beginning and end were too abrupt. It just throws you into the film, and then it just throws you out. The film's climax was phenomenal, but then it just sort of stops.
The beginning and end were too abrupt. It just throws you into the film, and then it just throws you out. The film's climax was phenomenal, but then it just sort of stops.
Addressing some unfair criticisms
I didn't feel like the protagonist was much of a Mary Sue. She knew how to fight, but that should be expected from the main character of an action thriller. She wasn't even the best fighter in the group, and seeing as she was raised my a guerrilla warfare terrorist, I would expect her to be able to handle herself.
As for her switching sides so quickly, I thought it made perfect sense. The Empire destroyed her family, so of course she hates them. The film specifically tells us that she used to fight in a rebellion force, so it's not like this is unprecedented. She wasn't jaded because the Rebellion was immoral, she was jaded because they left her behind when she was sixteen. Furthermore, her whole motivation is meeting her father. Seeing as her fathers dying wish was for her to correct his mistakes, I think it's easy to see why she would go from jaded anti-hero to idealistic rebel leader. That was always an aspect of her character.
I didn't think the romance was forced at all. It doesn't even really go anywhere. There's a scene near the end where the main characters briefly hold hands, but it didn't even feel particularly romantic. It felt more like they were comforting each other moments before the end. It's not like they declared their undying love for each other and shared a passionate kiss. It was understated, and barely even there at all. They acted like people who respected, but barely knew, each other. I don't really get this complaint.
As for her switching sides so quickly, I thought it made perfect sense. The Empire destroyed her family, so of course she hates them. The film specifically tells us that she used to fight in a rebellion force, so it's not like this is unprecedented. She wasn't jaded because the Rebellion was immoral, she was jaded because they left her behind when she was sixteen. Furthermore, her whole motivation is meeting her father. Seeing as her fathers dying wish was for her to correct his mistakes, I think it's easy to see why she would go from jaded anti-hero to idealistic rebel leader. That was always an aspect of her character.
I didn't think the romance was forced at all. It doesn't even really go anywhere. There's a scene near the end where the main characters briefly hold hands, but it didn't even feel particularly romantic. It felt more like they were comforting each other moments before the end. It's not like they declared their undying love for each other and shared a passionate kiss. It was understated, and barely even there at all. They acted like people who respected, but barely knew, each other. I don't really get this complaint.
Not really? I mean, not by movie standards.Dalisclock said:
She reluctantly agrees to the first mission, ignores her Dad's instructions to mount a rescue attempt, and only after he dies in her arms does she decide to attempt to complete his life's work and dying wish. It's tropey and they don't really dwell on it, but as movie motivations go, I'd say it's relatively well established.