A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, George Lucas launched a visionary series built around space-age mythology, utilizing droids, alien entities, and aerial dogfights as background for a compelling human drama that evolved over the course of six films, creating a quasi-mystical epic. In 2012, Disney bought Lucasfilm for $4.06 billion, with plans for a series of spin-offs that begin with this prequel (set between Star Wars: Episode III—Revenge of the Sith and Star Wars Episode IV—A New Hope) from filmmaker Gareth Edwards, with the iconic stars missing and much of the spirit lost, which only leaves a lot more wars. After her backstory is established, scrappy, resourceful Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones) joins the Alliance, working with Intelligence Officer Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) and a ragtag group of freedom fighters, to steal plans for Darth Vader's Death Star, an immense galactic weapon that was designed by Jyn's father (Mads Mikkelsen). Combat prevails as a multitude of characters are all-too-briefly introduced, including Saw Gerrera (Forest Whitaker), Bail Organa (Jimmy Smits), and a blind ninja (Hong Kong action star Donnie Yen), plus villainous Imperial overlord Orson Krennic (Ben Mendelsohn). James Earl Jones once again voices Darth Vader, and Cassian Andor's black metallic robot, K-2SO (voiced by Alan Tudyk), provides caustic comic relief. But this is mostly like a big-screen video game with lots of Stormtroopers. Optional. [Note: Blu-ray extras include the behind-the-scenes featurettes “A Rogue Idea” (9 min.), “Bodhi & Saw: The Pilot & The Revolutionary” (9 min.), “K-2SO: The Droid” (8 min.), “The Empire” (8 min.), “Visions of Hope: The Look of Rogue One” (8 min.), “Baze & Chirrut: Guardians of the Whills” (6 min.), “Jyn: The Rebel” (6 min.), “The Princess & The Governor” (6 min.), “Rogue Connections,” “Cassian: The Spy” (4 min.), and “Epilogue: The Story Continues” (4 min.), as well as Easter eggs (5 min.), and bonus DVD and digital copies of the film. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a so-so franchise entry.] (S. Granger)
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
Disney, 133 min., PG-13, DVD: $29.99, Blu-ray/DVD Combo: $39.99, Apr. 4 Volume 32, Issue 3
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
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