Directed By: Gareth Edwards
Written By: Chris Weitz & Tony Gilroy
Story By: John Knoll & Gary Whitta
Based On Characters Created By: George Lucas
Cinematography By: Greig Fraser
Editor: John Gilroy, Colin Goudie & Jabez Olsson
Cast: Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Donnie Yen, Alan Tudyk, Forest Whitaker, Ben Mendelsohn, Jimmy Smits, Riz Ahmed, Mads Mikkelsen, Win Jiang, Jonathan Aris, Ben Daniels
All looks lost for the Rebellion against the Empire as they learn of the existence of a new super weapon, the Death Star. Once a possible weakness in its construction is uncovered, the Rebel Alliance must set out on a desperate mission to steal the plans for the Death Star. The future of the entire galaxy now rests upon its success.
When I first heard about this film. I was a bit excited as I liked the idea of a story that took place inside the Star Wars universe that connects to some original characters that you may know, but is it's own story with original characters we have never heard of before.
I was a little concerned when I heard Gareth Edwards was directing the film. As he is a director usually associated with sci-fi movies but has never impressed me personally with his films or his vision. Then when I heard they had to do reshoots I was concerned more as they brought on Tony Gilroy who has a better record as a screenwriter than a director. Though MICHAEL CLAYTON was tight DUPLICITY and BOURNE LEGACY was tight with tension but that was all. So it wasn't necessarily looking great. I needed up missing the film in theaters but once I finally got around to seeing it. I am not Disappointed. He actually as co-screenwriter seems to add more of an espionage aspect but also a serious sobering atmosphere that builds up more tension than expected considering you assume and know where it must go.
As a fan of the series i will always be interested in the latest evolution of the stories and universe more in film than anything.
This is the first Gareth Edwards I can say I truly enjoyed and actually his best so far for me. He is talented with visuals and brings more reality into fantasy scenarios here maybe the pressure of the franchise he truly brings his A game. Giving the film more depth and not so much suffering and drama he seemed to bring to previous films not as melodramatic. What we get here is more of a prequel. The film is a suicide mission sorry where you actually grow to care about the characters involved. That pulls on the heartstrings of the audience.
The film offers great visuals, though a lot of special effects at least they feel more essential for the story at hand, but stay more in the background and story and character seem more important.
This film is more serious than the original films that they are a prequel to though feel of that same era with a far more serious downward tone. That strangely easily fits into the STAR WARS universe, with the inclusion of characters from the original making appearances.
The film is shocking by not only the deaths but how fast and often they come. Not the usual where it seems like half of them will survive even though it is a suicide mission. Will admit at first the beginning of the film is a bit confusing but luckily as you get into the film more it drives us deeper and becomes more intriguing.
This film was a underdog story for the beginning as it has such big shoes to fill. By being one of the stories or at least one of the first to come before the original trilogy. So not only that connection, but the stories of behind the scenes problems only add to the legend of the film. So that it comes across more glorious. As you can look at it as an almost parallel piece of getting the film made in a way.
That's while not as deep, tries to be as iconic. Hopefully it is a film that the generation that came after the kids who worshipped the original can call their own and lead their imaginations. Or add them to the legion of fans for the films and franchise. The heave reached out from the film to a kind of society and religion for some. It's nice to see the films universe become more diverse with each film. which has had no problem showing various alien races, but rarely anyone of color. Here we just as in the last Star Wars sequel we get a tough role model female leading character.
There isn't as much action and less fantasy or fun filled adventurous more dour and serious in tone. That the film feels more in tone like THX1138 George Lucas' first film. The creator of this Star Wars universe.
The missing shots from the trailer that initially got me more excited for film and while they are missed still barely notice them missing at all. That is how enraptured the audience can get.
The performances are top notch and the equipment they use feel more of a throwback and low-fi.
Tony Gilroy was paid $5 million for twelve weeks work on script-revising and re-shoots, especially on the third act. He also recommended to the producers to hire his brother, editor John Gilroy, to edit the re-shot footage. None of the first two trailer footage made it into the final film.
The film has quite a few memorable scenes that it builds on it's own. As well as deepening previously known characters.
For a plot device in Star Wars fleshing out how it was vital and made into a whole movie and almost making it into it's own folklore.
It fits and while not as magical. It does ground itself and stays memorable. That feels more like it is allowing more artists into this world and it as much as too ruled regime.
GRADE: B
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