Saw Rogue One last night. Thoughts?

[PinkRose]

I thought it was a good movie, though I don't like dystopian stories. Great, sad characters. I wish to know more about a few of them. It really makes me think more about A New Hope and moves it to more of a personal fight instead of large Armies against each other.
I loved the tie-ins to the other movies and now Anthony Daniels has been in 8 Star Wars movies. A new record.

[Jasyn]

When the concept for this movie was initially announced, I didn't have particularly high expectations outside of a "gee whiz, neato, but you're taking me out of the core saga" reaction.  However, as the trailers began to trickle out over the course of this year, I found my expectations elevating substantially--my mind chasing the plot line possibilities.

I eventually got hyped up enough to go see this on opening weekend--more than "The Force Awakens," which I waited to see during its 3rd weekend.  I didn't see "Rogue One" on opening day, mind you--I have ***NEVER*** gone to see anything on opening weekend let alone opening day, and I was beginning to get concerned that I would be sensationally disappointed because my expectations had risen too high.

Aside from some scenes from the trailers being conspicuously re-shot, my every expectation was surpassed.  I loved the movie.  I smiled at sentimental callbacks to "A New Hope," but I also felt the raw emotion of conflict between Empire and Rebellion in a way that I had not felt in any other Star Wars movie before.  I winced.  I gasped.  I periodically suspended respiration.  I occasionally experienced temporary surpluses of ocular lubricant buildup that had me playing up the "it's allergies" angle.  Ahem.

I can't recall coming close to experiencing the same level of emotional engagement in the other movies, save for maybe a specific moment or two in last year's "The Force Awakens"--plenty of electric moments, but nothing else quite the same as this--even in spite of having anticipated some of those developments.  But--as many of us were--I was much younger when I saw the original trilogy, and this movie was decidedly presented through the prism of a grown up story.

The stakes.  The sacrifices.  After this chapter of the franchise, they were no longer just a theoretical part of an entertaining space fantasy.  They became a palpable part of a fictional war story. 

The very next day, I had to re-watch "A New Hope" with my new perspective of it as an extended resolution to "Rogue One."  I doff my hat to the creatives who managed to encapsulate that emotional chocolate and dip it into my science fiction peanut butter.

I give it two ales up.   

[Gith]

I was most impressed by the huge jump in CG with the two characters who were animated. That was awesome. That Empire guy from the original movies looked damn near real.

[tanare]

I liked it more than force awakens, especially that part at the end (you know what I mean). the CGI was good and I heard they also used some leftover cut footage from a new hope in a couple of places. I liked going into the easter eggs afterwards to see what I missed. even star wars rebels got a little shout out in it.

I did go opening day but since I work nights that's the first showing around noon time on a weekday- needless to say crowds weren't a problem

the only thing I disliked was the half hour or so of trailers before it started. and none of them were anything I was interested in. well except for the couple I had already seen the trailers for...

and I also learned that I was incorrect about the Bothans- they were for the second death star plans not this one.

[Rumze]

I really enjoyed it - it really showed they can have non skywalker stories in the star wars universe and do great things with it. I'm hoping that the hon solo one is a bit more fun and less bleak but I went in expecting this one to be bleak. It really showcased the sacrifices people went through to get the deathstar plans.

[Mixxi]

I had the same confusion about the Bothans! In all the Rogue One trailers I kept thinking, "Where are the many Bothans!?!"

I finally checked the actual Mon Mothma quote because it was driving me crazy, and found out the same as you -- that's the second DS. I'm glad I'm not the only one!

[tanare]

i'm not having a good feeling (to continue the non-use of the proper form from this film) for the han solo adventurers, I even heard it was going to be a trilogy at one point. even if it's just one movie are they going to do it from the super early years where it's "hey han';s doing stuff and here's the kessel run thing" or "here's what he was doing right up to when he decides to go and kick back at mos eisley for a bit after he dumps jabba's cargo" or "here's how han and chewie met."?

to be honest i'm looking forward to the boba fett movie more.