Review: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Trailer 2
You know, it's surprising that this is really my first time I am ever talking about this movie. I didn't get around to review the first teaser trailer or the sizzle reel at this year's Star Wars celebration. Well, I won't make that mistake again. This trailer was really good and it has me really excited to see this movie. As far as the Star Wars anthology films go, this was the one that intrigued me the most and had the most potential to me. Yet again, I didn't want to get my expectations too high as well, so this film is more of I wanted to see more to make a opinion on it.
After hearing all of the behind-the-scenes info and the two trailers, I think this film has a real good chance to be good. I won't directly come out and say it will be good, but my expectations are a lot higher than this point last year.
Now, let's get this out of the way. For people that are confused or are being trolls. This movie is not a sequel to the Force Awakens. It is a prequel movie to Episode 4 A New Hope. It is a standalone movie that will tell the story of how the Rebel Alliance stole the plans to the first Death Star. There, isn't that simple. Anyway, one thing I can say about this movie is that it looks beautiful. It captures the look and feel of the original movie, while also having a gritty war-time movie feel of its own. The new ships and vehicles look really intriguing and the new planets and locations also look stunning. Finally, we see in both trailers shots of the Death Star and the effects they use on it make it look really convincing. It almost loos like the original model used in the original film.
During the first trailer, we got mostly a look of the main character Jyn Erso, played by Felicity Jones, and brief glimpses of the supporting cast and villains. Now, in this trailer, we get a more in-depth look at these characters. First, let's talk about Jyn. Jones is a good actress so I think she will do a good job in the role. As far as the character itself, for now, she seems kind of cliché. She seems like the typical I've had a rough past and I'm dangerous vibe. She may improve when I see the film however. Donnie Yen plays Chirrut Imwe. He is a blind warrior who believes in the philosophy and fighting style of the Jedi, though he is not force-sensitive. His best friend and companion Baze Malbus, played by Jiang Wen (pictured above), serves as a freelance assassin that fights the Empire in retaliation for the Empire destroying his world. They seem like interesting characters, particularly Imwe, and I can't wait to see what these two do to try and help the rebels find the plans.
Now, all of these people are being recruited by the leaders of the Alliance, including Intelligence Officer Cassian Andor, played by Diego Luna. I can tell him and Jyn will play off each other well as the leaders of this team. Andor also has a giant re-purposed Imperial droid, K-2SO, voiced by Alan Tudyk. Based on what I've seen of him so far, he kind of reminds me of a combination of C-3PO and HK-47 from Knights of the Old Republic. He seems polite and nice, but can also be violent and deadly in a blink of an eye. Wrapping up the main hero characters, Forest Whitaker plays Saw Gerrera, a character that was featured in an arc of episodes from the Clone Wars. I love how they brought an animated character to live-action and this opens the door to fully connect this new universe that Lucasfilm and Disney has created.
Finally, for the main villain. No, it's not Vader. Instead, it is Director Orson Krennic, played by Ben Mendelsohn. We really haven't seen much of him, he hasn't even talked yet. Will he be like Tarkin, Thrawn, or will he be his own thing? Who the hell knows at this point? His costume is awesome though.
One thing though about this film that I can't wait to see is the action. All of the Star WARS films has action and battles but this really looks like the first-time Star Wars will feel like an action film. The action looks gritty, intense, tightly created and real. Well, as real-looking as you can make it look. Some of my favorite shots is the Rebels and Empire fighting on a beach, a group of X-Wings flying down on an Imperial base, Jyn just walking towards a Tie Fighter, and Jyn and Andor flying away from a planet appearing to be destroyed.
Finally, yes, let's talk about Vader. Yes, obviously he is confirmed to be back and will once again by voiced by James Earl Jones. Yes, I am excited to see Vader on the big screen again. However, let's be honest with ourselves. He won't be in the film that much, I'm calling that now. I imagine he will show up towards the end of the film and be in a few scenes trying to stop Jyn and rest of the team. I mean, in all honesty, if Vader was the main villain, the rebel team wouldn't stand a chance. Look, I'm not trying to ruin other people's excitement, I've just being realistic to what I believe we will see of Vader in the film. Could I be wrong, absolutely. However, I don't think I will be wrong about this. Overall, while I am still going into the film a little cautious, my faith in the film is rising the more I see of it and I can't wait to see it this December.
