A Star Wars Recap: Rogue One

 

Okay, since I reviewed The Force Awakens and recently watched all eight movies in one sitting, I figured a review of Rogue One is also in order.  I was pretty pumped in the lead-up to it, despite the PC pandering that was obviously in high gear.  The idea of exploring stories apart from the Skywalker saga was very enticing.  Plus, when the backdrop is precursory events merely mentioned in A New Hope, it was hard to resist getting a little excited.  With Gareth Edwards, who had recently given us a moderately entertaining and fairly mythos-honoring monster feature in 2014’s Godzilla, Lucasfilm again was not going with the time-tested big-name director.  Plus, there was a wildly diverse cast.  Would it pay off? 

A Star Wars Recap: Episode VII

Okay, so my friends basically insisted that I write a review for this before The Last Jedi arrives in theaters in 50 hours, so here it is.  I was so pumped for this movie, but I was afraid that it would be more Terminator: Salvation, rather than Batman Begins. It exceeded my expectations on many levels, but it wasn’t better than Hope or Empire.   It has aged (if a movie can age in two years) pretty well.  Maybe not as well as Jurassic Park, but not nearly as poorly as the prequel trilogy.  It’s not perfect, and there are legitimate reasons to be a detractor from the overwhelmingly positive response.  However, for the saga, in my humble opinion, it was a win. 

A Star Wars Recap: Episode VI

The end.  The beginning.

This is it folks.  The last of six, and the lead-in to what will be.  This thing sends the original trilogy out on a monotone note, really, despite its best efforts to raise the stakes.  However, as we’ll see, this is the film that really made the prequels possible – for better or worse.  Still, it’s packed with enough fun and mythos to make it enjoyable repeatedly. 

A Star Wars Recap: Episode V

This is the one you’ve waited for folks.  That is, unless you’re tired of me writing, thereby the next one will be the one you’re waiting for.  Unless I decide to write one for The Force Awakens, but I’m thinking that one will take multiple viewings, and that might be difficult to secure tickets for after my initial viewing in t-minus 43 hours and 30 minutes, give or take.  But I digress.  This is the quentisentail film in the saga.  A film better in almost every conceivable way, and without total control by George Lucas.  Get excited!

A Star Wars Recap: Episode IV

“Finally,” you might be saying, “he’s moved on to the real Star Wars movies.”  Well, yes I have.  Not that I don’t consider the prequels Star Wars movies, but these are the originals.  And they’re better…for the most part.  So, for further reflection, let’s journey back to 1977…or 1997…or whenever I first saw this film in its entirety…

A Star Wars Recap: Episode III

The last of the prequels.  Let's just get this over with, shall we?

A Star Wars Recap: Episode II

Look, I wasn’t terribly excited about watching it, so I’m doubting you’re terribly enthused about rehashing it.  However, it’s necessary.  Well, at least, for me.  So here it is – my review/reliving of the weakest chapter in the Star Wars saga. 

A Star Wars Recap: Episode I

On the cusp of the unprecedented hype surrounding Star Wars (Episode VII) The Force Awakens, it was necessary to go back and watch all of them.  For the nth time.  Some argue that they should be watched in sequence of how they were released (IV-VI, I-III).  I argue that if you watch them like that, you end on a flatter note than if you just get the prequels out of the way first.  Though, as you’ll see in later my rankings are somewhat unorthodox.  So, as a format of sorts, I’m going to break down what I like/love about each film, sandwich in some outstanding questions, and end with what I loathe.  Then I’ll reveal where that film ranks. 

Unlike many Star Wars purists, I actually don’t have an immediate gag reflex when confronted by the idea of Episode I: The Phantom Menace.  

Quote of the Day 07.12.12

"Also why the Star Wars prequels weren't as successful as the originals; they turned the #1 villan in movie history into a misunderstood Jerry Springer guest with mommy issues."

- A commenter using the handle AntiDemocrap on an article titled "Defending Super Reboots: Audiences Want Good vs. Evil Stories" at Brietbart's Big Hollywood.

Movies 12.03: Re-Review 12.01