Rogue One 2016

    The setting of this film is the days before the events of Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope of 1977.  Imperial scientist Galen Erso has helped to build a new super weapon called the Death Star.  This weapon can travel through hyperspace and erase an entire planet.  Galen tells his daughter Jyn Erso that a weakness has been built into the weapon.  The Rebel Alliance sets out on a desperate mission to steal the plans for the Death Star.  They must find the area of weakness and disarm this weapon. 

     Everything about this film is dark and that usually indicates to me that darkness is used to cover up any details of the scenery?  I didn’t think there was much of a plot and nothing is said to place the time sequence.  I didn’t know if this was a prequel or a sequel?  The history of the characters isn’t explained and most have little background information?  Isn’t the Death Star an overused plot device?  How can viewers remember what happened in Episode IV?  2 1/2* (This movie is so-so)

133 min, Action directed by Gareth Edwards with Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Alan Tudyk, Donnie Yen, Wen Jiang, Ben Mendelsohn, Guy Henry, Forest Whitaker, Riz Ahmed, Mads Mikkelsen, Jimmy Smits, Alistari Petrie.

Note:  7.9 out of 10, 85% critic 87% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Roger Ebert 3 ½*, Amazon 4.4* out of 5* with 1021 reviews, Metacritic 65 out of 100 with 51 critics 7.6 out of 10 with 2313 reviews.

Special Note:  Filmed in Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, London, England; Reynisfjara, Iceland; Gan, Laamu Atoll, Maldives; Wadi Rum, Jordan.  Costume designer David Crossman used some of the original costumes in earlier Star Wars films.  James Earl Jones returned to voice Darth Vader but to me his voice sounded different especially in the beginning scenes?