Although at first, I wasn´t sure if I needed this story, “Rogue One” turned out to be an enjoyable Star Wars spinoff and standalone film.

There is a lot to love about this film: First of all, it is one of the best-looking Star Wars films ever. It has stunning cinematography, breathtaking shots, and one of the most exciting space battle sequences of the franchise. I also like the mature and gritty tone and the more nuanced and grey depiction of the rebels. I am a sucker for heroic suicide missions in fiction, so the story is right up my alley. The last act is truly phenomenal and captivating, and the ending is both shocking and emotional. The Darth Vader scene is another highlight. All in all, “Rogue One” ties nicely into episode 4 and makes the destruction of the death star even more satisfying than it already was.

The film would have an even bigger emotional impact on me, if I actually cared about the characters. Unfortunately, I find them bland, uninteresting, and underdeveloped. I couldn´t connect with them. Heck, I don´t even remember their names. Furthermore, the comic relief didn´t work for me most of the time and the first two acts definitely have some boring parts.

To conclude, while not flawless, “Rogue One” is a well-crafted and engaging sci fi action adventure film that has some truly great moments.