The real suicide squad
While we await next year’s Star Wars VIII, Disney has deftly inserted a stand-alone story that timeline-wise, exists before the original Star Wars movie, now positioned as Star
Wars IV (A New Hope). Titled Rogue One and directed by Gareth Edwards of Godzilla fame, the latest installment in the Star
Wars universe smartly offers a revelatory storyline and a predominantly new set of protagonists that should be welcomed by fans of the franchise. It is essentially a highwire act, as we know what happens next; and yet, thanks to a textured screenplay and inspired cast of characters, we invest our emotions, “don’t look down” and happily sign up for the ride.
At the center of the film outing is one Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones), daughter of a weapons expert, responsible for creating the Empire’s fabled Death Star — capable of destroying whole planets. Raised by Saw (Forest Whitaker), a legendary rebel, Jyn steadfastly holds on to the belief that her father is aiding the Empire against his deepest wishes.
Recruited by the rebel forces to steal the blueprint of the Death Star, Jyn is joined by a motley band of rebel warriors led by Cassian (Diego Luna) to infiltrate Scarif, one of the Empire’s outposts. A tropical planet, it’s their arrival on Scarif that truly ramps up the film, providing us with a pitched battle and glorious third act that gives us action and suspense in equal measures.
Unlike the installments that would give us healthy shafts of humor, this one has a darker pitch. The resident droid K2SO relies on cynicism and droll sarcasm rather than slapstick.
If you’re looking for a paired team of sidekicks, that is provided for by the film’s Oriental Connection — Donnie Yen as the blind warrior/swordsman and Jiang Yen as his gun-toting partner. Where the film excels is in the display of villainy, from Lord Vader (James Earl Jones again providing the voice), to Director Krennic (Ben Mendelsohn) and an unexpected resurrected arch-villain; they all provide a stunning display of the Empire’s Dark Side. When someone remarks to Krennic that he is confusing peace with terror, Krennic retorts with, “Well, you have to start somewhere.” Given that all that occurs in the film is a prelude to A New
Hope, there are callbacks that obviously excite those who are devoted followers of the franchise. And what surprises is how given the predictability of the suicide mission, there is still genuine tension, and we end the film with sincere involvement with the “heroes” we have been introduced to.
This is not only a stand-alone film, it is also a standout journey to the Star Wars universe.