5: Rogue One
As the first major standalone addition to the Star Wars universe, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story struggles to find its footing in this vast, well-established saga. It’s set between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope, filling in some gaps and uncertainties that fans of the franchise may appreciate. However, it’s biggest redeeming factor comes with its tremendous sense of nostalgia, further fleshing out some iconic, fan-favorite villains.
During its first half, Rogue One more or less stumbles around as it gathers its rebel forces. A bit too much time is spent exploring these individuals rather than bringing them closer together as a group, resulting in a first half that feels barren and far too stretched. It makes it known that the Rebels aren’t saints either, but the way it tackles this feels a tad forced.
When it does peak, however, Rogue One reaches extreme heights that’ll excite Star Wars fanatics beyond belief. About a handful of classic characters make an on-screen appearance whereas others get referenced to some degree. Your focus will shift from the superfluous story about a group of daring rebels to one that recaptures the magic of Star Wars in ways you’d have never thought possible. It’s not a bad movie, mind you, but it does feel unnecessary at times.
