The first movie I ever laid on eyes on in a theater was “Star Wars – Episode VI: A New Hope”. I was in complete awe by what was going on that huge screen and I remember my body rumbled from the music and explosions for weeks. I’ll never forget Mr. Herring taking my brother and me to experience this amazing movie.
Fast forward to 2017 and six Star Wars movies later… Tim got to pick tonight’s Friday Night Movie. He chose “Rogue One”. I was entirely thrilled by that decision. I cooked some dinner, fed the dogs, turned out the lights, turned down the air conditioning, wrapped up in a blanket and – with volume control in hand – Tim started the movie. I didn’t let go of the volume control (we have surround sound) the entire time. Nor did I move my eyes away from the big screen. That was THE fastest two hours and thirteen minutes I have ever zoomed through.
Rogue One takes us 19 years after “Revenge of the Sith” (Star Wars: Episode III) and just days before (and into) “A New Hope” (Star Wars: Episode VI). In fact, if it wasn’t for the Rebellion getting the blueprints for the Death Star in “Rogue One” the Rebellion, and Luke Skywalker, wouldn’t know how to destroy the Death Star in “A New Hope”. Galen Erso is the scientist who has designed the “planet killer” – The Death Star. However, in mid-stream he decides to retire before the Death Star is complete. He tends to his farm, his wife, and his young daughter, Jyn Erso. But when Orson Krennec (the guy in charge of the Imperial Military) comes calling for Galin Erso to complete the Death Star…all hell breaks loose.
We flash forward 15 years to Jyn Erso (the daughter to the guy who designed the Death Star) who escaped her father’s capture. Except, she is captured by the Imperial Army and is sequentially rescued by the Rebellion to get a meeting with Saw Gerrera. Saw has a message from Jyn’s father that changes her entire life and her reason for living.
We see old friends, and meet new ones in this epic film. I am in love with K-2S0. He’s the re-tooled Imperial droid who now works for the Rebellion. Dude is hilarious! I wanted to be his friend for life instantly. (If you’re a “Firefly” or “Serenity” fan… Alan Tudyk who plays the pilot “Wash” also plays K-2S0. It was one of the highlights of my night!) You get to see how and why Luke Skywalker, Hans Solo, Chewbacca, and Princess Leia did what they did in the first ever Star Wars film. Honestly, I may have had a tear of joy leak out of the corner of my left eye when the credits started rolling. I can’t tell you why. You’ll have to see Rogue One.
Buy the movie! Sure…you can rent it. But this is one movie you’ll want to add to your collection so you can watch it a few more times. The attention to detail on this film to keep the continuous flow of all the Star Wars movies was amazing. I was WAITING for the new guy on the block (Gareth Edwards who directed this gem) to screw up. But nope. Except there’s this one HUGE thing that bothers me. I can’t discuss it with you here. Email me or find me on Facebook and we can discuss. I don’t want to ruin anything for anyone here in the open.
Sit back….grab the popcorn, make sure you take a leak, take the dogs for a walk, but then sit back and enjoy the next thrilling Star Wars installment. We did.
Tags: movie, Rogue One, sci-fi, Star Wars, tim, trailer