REVIEW:

Jyn Erso: We have hope. Rebellions are built on hope!

YES! It's back and more is good, very good, just what I had HOPED for. Ah hope, a key word in this film and pretty much throughout the Star Wars story. Even though we were just treated to Episode VII recently, I had just as much excitement for this film as I did for just about all the others. Why? Star Wars is getting what it deserves . . . expansion. The franchise is too big to be limited to a few episodes. For the first time we get a live action film outside of the central episodes that brings detail, fills in the blanks, answers questions, and satisfies fans. This film demonstrates that the sky's the limit with the Star Wars saga. There is so much story to tell and so much potential. I mention live action film because of the hiccup in the Star Wars franchise that is the animated Clone Wars film. I reviewed that film and I will never forget referring to it as blasphemy, reducing Star Wars to a cartoon is just wrong, BUT, I still enjoyed the film because if that was the only way I was to get more of the Star Wars story outside of the episodes then so be it. The release of Rogue One now makes Clone Wars that much more silly. Again, this is what Star Wars deserves. Yes, as you can tell, I am a big fan. You can even say I'm biased, sure, I'll admit it. I will also proudly date myself in admitting that I grew up on this stuff. I was there when it all began and I know first hand how Star Wars affected not only the cinematic world but the world in general. Bring 'em on, all of them, because if you make them, we will watch them.

Saw Gerrera: The world is coming undone. Imperial flags reign across the galaxy.

Mon Mothma: [to Jyn Erso] Our Rebellion is all that remains to push back the Empire. We think you may be able to help us.

This film is exciting and thrilling, it is intense and full of conflict. The action is quite good and the story is even better. I mean we already know what the story is, but the way it was presented was top notch. We also get a modern look at the old story. What I mean by that is it is today's movie making technology and such (cinematography, special effects, etc.) on the part of the story that in our cinematic chronology ties in just before Episode IV A New Hope which is the oldest of the movies. Obviously Episodes I-III also fall into that category but there is more distance in the timeline between III and IV of course and this one is the equivalent of an Episode III.9. One of best aspects of this film is how well it ties into the series, down to some of the smallest of details. If you are a Star Wars fan and have seen them all, you are really going to appreciate how true to the series it really is. This film transports us back to that galaxy and we are in for a hell of a ride. To help us along this journey we are accompanied by a mostly new and diverse cast which as a whole did a great job in keeping this fantasy very much alive. I for one am liking this female in the lead role thing going on lately. Felicity Jones was very well cast and does a phenomenal job at being a small beacon of optimism in the midst of such darkness. Diego Luna was also effective and Donnie Yen was one of my favorites. Alan Tudyk however was a scene stealer as K-2SO. His character is funny yet powerful and one of the most entertaining droids ever. This new array of characters further enhanced the Star Wars universe without taking away from or distracting you from the focal point which is that this is all still part of the Star Wars universe. A large part of the underlying theme in the Star Wars series is struggle and sacrifice. Well these guys demonstrate that theme very well. Kudos to Director Gareth Edwards for not only keeping the dream alive and strong but also successfully expanding its horizons.