Anything can be retconned...

The force memory of an unborn child fleeing from danger in her mother's womb could decades later become "distorted images" of fleeing while hiding in a "trunk".

Given the Time it took to climb down the tower, and get to the beach, is anyone surprised Jyn and Cassian didn't try for a ship? They knew the shield was down...

Director Krennick's shuttle was at the base of the tower too.

Since K-2SO had taken the time to slice himself into another droid body (he knew the odds of surviving), a pick up was always possible...

Also:

2 hours ago, Ogrebear said:

Given the Time it took to climb down the tower, and get to the beach, is anyone surprised Jyn and Cassian didn't try for a ship?

Presumably all viable ships were already taken by the people closer to them. No point in spending time on that when it's obvious from how events play out.

4 hours ago, Ogrebear said:

Given the Time it took to climb down the tower, and get to the beach, is anyone surprised Jyn and Cassian didn't try for a ship? They knew the shield was down...

Director Krennick's shuttle was at the base of the tower too.

Since K-2SO had taken the time to slice himself into another droid body (he knew the odds of surviving), a pick up was always possible...

But if they do something smart, they can't "die heroically".

I am still a little disappointed by everyone dying. I think most of them should have passed on because war is grimdark, but there should have been some newer heroes.

That, and I'm tired of the "we are a deserve bunch of people who just met today, but we will gather up and save the galaxy"

Is it a case of that, though? Both Cassian and his killbot, and Baze of Glory and monk dude have known each other quite some time, actually.

Oh its heavily implied Cassian and K2-SO have known each other and basically been bros for years. Chirrut and Baze have known each other since before Order 66 so for them its like 20 years?

By the by I never realized this but Tarkin's first scene mirrors Vader's first scene in Return of the Jedi beautifully. A few examples.

"The Emperor will tolerate no further delays" Tarkin

"The Emperor is most displeased with your apparent lack of progress" Vader

"Failure, will have you explaining why to a far less patient audience." Tarkin

"I hope so commander, for your sake, the my master is not as forgiving as I am." Vader