STORY STUDY - MEDIUM: FILM “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”

Soldiers can come from the most unlikely parts of the universe. But when they come together, they can change the course of a bloody and hopeless war.

Directed by Gareth Edwards, screenplay by Chris Weitz and Tony Gilroy, story by John Knoll and Gary Whitta, and based on the characters by George Lucas, Rogue One revolves around a ragtag group of people with their own skillset who gather together through circumstance to steal the plans of a planet killing weapon belonging to a galactic empire, and deliver it to the rebellion to give them a fighting chance.

Any Star Wars fan knows what exactly this planet killing weapon is, and how important it is to the entire franchise.

Just the concept of it is engaging: a heist mission in the Star Wars universe. Even if you’re not a fan of the franchise, it’s still a sci-fi heist film.

Then there’s our players, who know nothing about each other for the most part, and couldn’t be any different. It’s because of this diverse cast, and not just in the "ethnicity" sense, that people can relate to at least one of them.

More focus is on Jyn Erso, who has a personal stake in the mission and the weapon itself, her father being the lead architect of it. It’s unfortunate because it feels like the other characters have equally more to say regarding their lives before leading up to the heist.

It’s also disappointing to see that the actual heist itself is the climax. Before that, the crew slowly meets each other while sprinkling in Jyn’s struggle with her Dad. It’s well acted and well-written, but it’s the heist that everyone was looking forward too.

However, when the heist and the battle happens, it’s exciting, offers different possibilities and imagery from other Star Wars films, and even hits fans with some easter eggs and characters, making them more invested in the situation. Even the resolution is shocking and a risky decision.

I’ve heard about Rogue One the moment it was announced. I was already intrigued with the idea of it, but when the cast ensemble photo was released, I was more excited. It was really cool not only to see Asians in a Star Wars film, but at least one of them was a martial artist. Still, I figured they wouldn’t be the main focus, but it was cool to see them.

Rogue One takes the prequel story approach and utilizes it in the best way. In itself, it does tell a self-contained story, and the final minutes of it leaves you wanting more. The best part is… there is more. Its cast is eclectic, the nostalgia hits hard, and is a film that shows that even in the darkest hour, there is still hope.