The best movies always come out between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Last year it was Star Wars Episode VII and James Bond Spectre. This year Star Wars Rogue One was a must-see movie for me while we are in Ohio. I mentioned it to John and Jackie about 100 times, so they graciously bought tickets for all of us and we headed out last Saturday morning to see it.
Columbus has lots of movie theaters and most of the Star Wars Rogue One tickets for opening weekend were sold out weeks ago. Jackie was able to snag four tickets for the 10 a.m. showing at a movie theater at the Studio Movie Grill Arena District. The movie tickets are cheap at the Studio Movie Grill because they make their money on food. There is a call button on each seat. When you press it a waitress or waiter comes over to take your order. You can order all kinds of gourmet food and then they bring it to you at your seat. We noticed that most of the people ordered food. Popcorn still seemed to be the most popular item but they brought it in nice bowls instead of cardboard tubs.
Now, back to the movie. I have seen all the Star Wars movies multiple times. Some of my best dates were going to Star Wars movies. I have been a Star Wars fan since the first movie in 1977. I do not dwell on the minutiae but I can quote a sizable number of lines, especially from the original three movies.
Star Wars Rogue One is a wonderful Star Wars movie. It take place between Episodes III and Episodes IV. Although Rogue One is called a stand-alone Star Wars movie, there are lots of things that would be hard to understand if you hadn’t seen any of the Star Wars movies. The plot goes like this:
Jyn Erso is the main character. Empire Comander Krennic kills her mother and captures her father in the opening scenes. Jyn grows up wanting nothing to do with the rebellion. She just wants to be left alone to live her life. But fate intervenes and gradually she becomes a leader in the rebellion.
Other characters in the movie have their own motives for aiding the rebellion. Cassian Andor is a pilot and intelligence officer in the rebellion. K-2SO adds the usual droid humor. Chirrut Imwe and Baze Malbus are Jedha priests and guardians (not Jedi). Bodhi Rook is a pilot who has defected from the Empire. These leading characters are thrown together when the Empire does its first test of the Death Star on the last Jedha temple. This is the core group that has to save the universe in this movie.
Requisite bad guy characters include Orson Krennic who is only concerned about adding to his power. Grand Moff Tarkin plots and climbs over Krennic to further his own ambition. And, of course, Darth Vader is evil incarnate slicing through rebellion fighters like they are butter.
Explosions and plenty of action mark all the Star Wars movies. One close call quickly leads to another. Just when you think the rebellion is going down in flames, it finds another way to win the day.
I really appreciated the way Star Wars Rogue One filled in the gaps between Episode III and Episode IV. I liked the new characters and their willingness to sacrifice for a larger goal. Every Star Wars movie reminds us that we must fight against evil and oppression in whatever forms they take. I am looking forward to seeing this movie again!