Jeri Jacquin
Coming to our own galaxy this week on Bluray/DVD & Digital HD from director Gareth
Edwards, Lucas Films and Walt Disney Studios is a chance to be a kid again with
ROGUE ONE: A Star Wars Story.
Galen Erso (Mads Mikkelsen) is farming with wife Lyra
(Valene Kane) and young daughter Jyn when they are visited by Orson Krennic
(Ben Mendelsohn). Demanding that Galen return to his work with the Galactic
Empire creating a weapon to stop the rebellion, Krennic isn’t happy when Galen
refuses. He sends troops to search for young Jyn, but she is no where to be
found.
They don’t know she has been taken in by Saw Gerrera (Forest
Whitaker), it is brief as Jyn (Felicity Jones) is now grown, a criminal and working
in a forced labor camp. That is until she is rescued by Cassian Andor (Diego
Luna) and reconditioned robot K-2SO (voiced by Alan Tudyk) and taken before the
Senate leaders of the Rebellion.
They want Jyn’s help in finding where the plans for the Death
Star may be and how to obtain them to help the rebellion. When her only other
choice is help or return to the labor camp, Jyn begrudgingly agrees to go with
Cassian to the city of Jedah .
There they meet Chirrut Imwe (Donnie Yen) and Baze Malbus (Wen Jiang) by
walking straight into a street battle.
The group also finds Bodhi Rook (Riz Ahmed), an Imperial
pilot who knows Galen! With the location of the plans, they come together and
go to the one place no one else would dare go – straight into the Imperial base
surrounded and guarded by those whose only goal is to crush the rebellion.
They need to save the rebellion and save the dream!
Jones as Jyn carries the film as a strong character that
remembers what happened when she was young. Wanting to find her father, the
mission becomes so much more than she could have ever imagined. Jones has the
right amount of gumption and emotion giving her character heart and even if she
is afraid it doesn’t stop her from going forward.
Luna as Cassian is very focused on what needs to be done to
ensure the security of the rebellion. He has the backing of the Senate because
this soldier believes in bringing down the Empire. Meeting Jyn doesn’t change
that goal, only reshapes how to make it happen.
Tudyk as the voice of K-2SO is absolutely hilarious and
clear that this robot has a mind and opinion all his own.
Mendelsohn as Krennic is a man with an agenda that includes
taking down anyone that gets in his way. Whitaker as Gerrera sees what Jyn is
capable of but also knows the Empire can not be stopped without her.
I was excited when learning that Donnie Yen would be part of
ROGUE ONE as Chirrut Imwe. Following his career for several years now from
Asian/martial arts films, this is perfect casting. Everything he does has purpose
and reminds me of another Jedi master. Jiang as Malbus protects Imwe and
clearly knows his way around heavy weaponry which is always handy when fighting
any Galactic Empire. Ahmed as Rook is quick and has no trouble showing off his
own rebellion side!
Mikkelsen as Galen has the perfect demeanor for this
character. He doesn’t have much to say because everything is in his eyes. He
has the ability to cut his eyes in such a way that even I’m a little scared of
him. I love that he took this role.
Other cast include Alistair Petrie as General Draven,
Genevieve O’Reilly as Mon Mothma, Ben Daniels as General Merrick, Ian
McElhinney as General Dodonna, Fares Fares as Senator Vaspar, Sharon Brewster
as Senator Pamlo, and Jimmy Smits as Bail Organa.
Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment began distributing
under its own label in 1980 and continues to bring quality programming to kids
and kids at heart. Home of the most beloved animated features including SNOW
WHITE, PINOCCHIO and SLEEPING BEAUTY to name a few is what keeps families
coming back for more. To see what is currently available to add to your own
family library please visit. www.movies.disney.com
for their At Home titles!
ROGUE ONE: A Star Wars Story had me once again from the
moment my television screen lit up! Transported immediately and in such a way
that time reversed a little taking me back to 1977, ROGUE ONE brings with it
such familiarity as if no time had passed between those weekends I spent in the
theatre watching STAR WARS and now.
What I mean by that is this film brings with it the
costuming, a story that mingles easily into the STAR WARS realm of storytelling
yet intense with layering and small nuances that fans are going to get giddy
over. It is amazing how one moment in the original STAR WARS storyline (and
you’ll know when that is soon enough) brought about this absolutely fantastic
cinematic adventure
I do not want to go into details because it is the details
that I want everyone to experience for themselves. Just know that there isn’t
going to be a disappointing moment in the 133 minutes of sheer joy on the
screen. Let everyone have the opportunity to enjoy every aspect of what has
been put together for fans.
The Bluray Bonus Features include The Stories with an intimate collection of stories that take you
behind the scenes with filmmakers and cast to reveal how the film came to life,
A Rogue Idea, Jyn: The Rebel, Cassian:
The Spy, K-2SO: The Droid, Baze & Chirrut: Guardians of the Whills, Bodhi
& Saw: The Pilot & The Revolutionary, The Empire, Visions of Hope: The
Look of Rogue One, The Princess & The Governor and Epilogue: The Story Continues.
This is such an amazing film and STAR WARS fans can’t be
disappointed under any circumstances. The film brings many of us back to the
beginning with the look and feel and hope that continuing stories will remember
that is how we like it!
In the end – it is a rebellion built on hope!
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