Review: ‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’ Will Delight Die-Hard Fans and Newcomers Alike

As the signature Star Wars slogan slants across the screen — “A long time ago in a galaxy far far away” — in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, you can feel the palpable excitement ahead.

We meet the Erso family in seclusion from The Empire. Imperial science officer Galen Erso, (Mads Mikkelsen in a welcomed good guy turn from Hannibal), is paid an unfriendly visit by Orson Krennic. Australian actor Ben Mendohlson (Bloodline) expertly avoids creating a caricature playing Krennic with precise evil intent. Erso’s invention, the Kyber crystal, usually used to power Jedi light sabers is needed for their dastardly deeds. Krennic orders Galen to return and surrender his formula to fuel the ultimate Empire weapon of destruction – but he will have none of it.

There is an escape plan already in place, but before his young daughter Jyn Erson (played by Felicity Jones) makes a run for it, her mother places a necklace around her neck and speaks the famous six Star Wars words, “May the force be with you.”

Years go by before Jyn can safely leave her escape hatch. She is collected by Saw Gerrera (Forest Whitaker), a resistance fighter during the Clone Wars, who readies her for the long journey. Jyn emerges all grown up and ready for action. Jones shows real range and moxey in the role as she leads the rebels in a mission to save the galaxy. In one scene, she flattens a fleet of Storm Troopers with some fancy martial arts moves.

Along the way, Jyn assembles an eclectic band of warriors beginning with Cassian Andor, head of weapons intelligence and played with suave assuredness by Diego Luna. His trusty sidekick is a snarky standing droid named K-2SO with the height of a basketball player. Voiced by Alan Tudyk, it provides comic relief to the film like side-arming a Stormtrooper without looking. Luna and Jones have great on-screen chemistry which thankfully remains at bay with their characters.

Martial artist and Hong Kong action star Donnie Yen lends his mad fighting skills as blind Chirrut Îmwe, who wields a long wooden staff instead of a light saber. He depends on his mantra, “I am the force, the force is with me,” to guide him. Baze Malbus (Wen Jiang) is there to pick up the slack with machine gun worthy artillery. Rounding them out is Riz Ahmed as defected cargo pilot Bodhi Rook who was sent to deliver The Empire’s plans. To tell you by whom would be giving too much away.

Director Gareth Edwards fully succeeds in balancing this stand-alone Star Wars film punctuated by composer John Williams’ sweeping score. There’s plenty of explosions, laser warfare and flying squadrons for geeks to feast upon while introducing new plot lines and characters. Creature Effects Supervisor Neal Scanlan does an outstanding job of creating quirky space creatures that will satisfy even the most die-hard Stars Wars fan.

So whether you’re a Star Wars aficionado or just being introduced to the franchise for the first time, you’ll be delightedly transported into this epic adventure.