I actually think Revenge of the Sith was one of the tightest Star Wars movies in terms of the formula. It jumped straight into the action, resolved the plot point of Dooku while providing a broad context for the war and had provided both compelling character development and plot progression, but managed to bring real life to characters that were relatively flat in some of the previous movies. Plus we got to see exactly what made the order fall, it was a beautiful movie with a couple of questionable blips (really, your just going to leave him to burn to death? Thats dark of you Obi.). It was probably one of the best star wars movies, nothing beats Empire strikes back for me but it's a pretty close second/third.

I like how they didn't invest too much time in investing into characters; I find extensive backstory telling is extremely wearing and speeches never work. On the flipside this assembled band of misfits disbanded almost as soon as they were formed, which is kind of tragic really; I wasn't looking for a new set of heroes to restore order to the force but I was kind of hoping of something to carry on the movie legacy. Even if it was just one member of the cast standing infront of a podium some years later with a white crystal in his/her hand whispering softly "see, it was worth it."

So many leaves in the wind.

Unpopular opinion: I really didn't like the entire scene at Vader's pad. In addition to adding nothing to the story, I found all of his dialog to be cheesy and cringey and not the least bit intimidating. That said, I loved the slaughter scene aboard the rebel ship; and I think it would have been far more awesome for his first appearance to have been there , without any warning (in or out of the movie) that he was coming.

I was very happy with the portrayal of less pleasant realities within the rebellion (murdering contacts to keep them from talking, finishing off wounded combatants, etc.) I've long portrayed elements of the rebellion this way in my own campaigns.

I wasn't bothered at all by the CG resurrections, though I could have done without the pointless cameos. We don't need to have R2 and 3PO in every single movie, guys. We really don't. As for Dr. Evazan, I might not have minded as much if they hadn't felt the need for him to directly echo one of his lines from A New Hope. And if they were going to use those characters, I think it would have been more interesting to have them be fellow prisoners on Jyn's transport; underscore that whole 'death sentence on 12 systems' thing.

I liked Scarif a lot.

Overall, my impression was favorable. Most of my negativity is just little nitpicks, which I'm starting to learn not to get so hung up on ("Several transmissions were beamed to this ship by rebel spies." Um, no. They were beamed to another ship and then sneakered over to this ship on a floppy disk. You... were actually there when it happened).

So I found chopper when I saw the movie yesterday - he's on the left when the private comes running up to Mothma in a hurry.

At least I think it was Chop - he's only on for a second or two at best.

But did we just see the crew of the Ghost die? X_x I didn't see any rebels jump except for the Tantive V. :'( Still, having a good chunk of your capital fleet get trashed does explain they were in such a bind in ANH. And the almost video-game-ish weakness in the Death Star got a halfway decent explanation. And yet, the "victory" felt very pyrrhic as almost everyone got wiped out. I know they needed the layout/plans to find the weak spot, but still. I bet the Rebellion, as weak as it was, was devastated at the end of that film. And they had to run right after ANH. They didn't even get any time to recuperate or rebuild...

When I watched the film last night, I didn't get the impression that everyone was wiped out. Rather, most everyone was wiped out. It seemed to me the rebel fleet did make the jump, but that it was already too late for most of them to get out. Some collided with the first incoming star destroyers, while most of the others were disabled by withering fire as Vader's fleet materialized. My impression based on the streaks of transitioning-to-hyperspace ships was that a few smaller ships did get out. I will be seeing it again on Christmas and will watch that scene more intently. In any event, as I saw it, the Ghost could have theoretically gotten out. I agree with your assessment as to why the Alliance was so weak in ANH. Bang on!

Let us hope they were boarded and captured instead of offed. They do have two force users. Why, such a event has future films, tv episodes, and rpg scenarios written all over them! And I hope they will re-canonize Katarn someday. Maybe Leia has a bit of trouble in the short gap between Rogue One and ANH and Katarn has to run interference (sneak on the chasing destroyer and fry the hyperdrive or something?).

So I found chopper when I saw the movie yesterday - he's on the left when the private comes running up to Mothma in a hurry.

At least I think it was Chop - he's only on for a second or two at best.

But did we just see the crew of the Ghost die? X_x I didn't see any rebels jump except for the Tantive V. :'( Still, having a good chunk of your capital fleet get trashed does explain they were in such a bind in ANH. And the almost video-game-ish weakness in the Death Star got a halfway decent explanation. And yet, the "victory" felt very pyrrhic as almost everyone got wiped out. I know they needed the layout/plans to find the weak spot, but still. I bet the Rebellion, as weak as it was, was devastated at the end of that film. And they had to run right after ANH. They didn't even get any time to recuperate or rebuild...

When I watched the film last night, I didn't get the impression that everyone was wiped out. Rather, most everyone was wiped out. It seemed to me the rebel fleet did make the jump, but that it was already too late for most of them to get out. Some collided with the first incoming star destroyers, while most of the others were disabled by withering fire as Vader's fleet materialized. My impression based on the streaks of transitioning-to-hyperspace ships was that a few smaller ships did get out. I will be seeing it again on Christmas and will watch that scene more intently. In any event, as I saw it, the Ghost could have theoretically gotten out. I agree with your assessment as to why the Alliance was so weak in ANH. Bang on!

Let us hope they were boarded and captured instead of offed. They do have two force users. Why, such a event has future films, tv episodes, and rpg scenarios written all over them! And I hope they will re-canonize Katarn someday. Maybe Leia has a bit of trouble in the short gap between Rogue One and ANH and Katarn has to run interference (sneak on the chasing destroyer and fry the hyperdrive or something?).

My biggest problem with the OT onwards is that the universe seems genuinely obsessed to keeping Luke and friends at the forefront of the action. I personally would like nothing more to see stories of other heroes within that setting. Something fresh.

To all, who say the Tarkin CGI is uncanny... you know, Tarkin (aka Peter Cushing) IS uncanny.... so perfect.

So I found chopper when I saw the movie yesterday - he's on the left when the private comes running up to Mothma in a hurry.

At least I think it was Chop - he's only on for a second or two at best.

But did we just see the crew of the Ghost die? X_x I didn't see any rebels jump except for the Tantive V. :'( Still, having a good chunk of your capital fleet get trashed does explain they were in such a bind in ANH. And the almost video-game-ish weakness in the Death Star got a halfway decent explanation. And yet, the "victory" felt very pyrrhic as almost everyone got wiped out. I know they needed the layout/plans to find the weak spot, but still. I bet the Rebellion, as weak as it was, was devastated at the end of that film. And they had to run right after ANH. They didn't even get any time to recuperate or rebuild...

When I watched the film last night, I didn't get the impression that everyone was wiped out. Rather, most everyone was wiped out. It seemed to me the rebel fleet did make the jump, but that it was already too late for most of them to get out. Some collided with the first incoming star destroyers, while most of the others were disabled by withering fire as Vader's fleet materialized. My impression based on the streaks of transitioning-to-hyperspace ships was that a few smaller ships did get out. I will be seeing it again on Christmas and will watch that scene more intently. In any event, as I saw it, the Ghost could have theoretically gotten out. I agree with your assessment as to why the Alliance was so weak in ANH. Bang on!

Let us hope they were boarded and captured instead of offed. They do have two force users. Why, such a event has future films, tv episodes, and rpg scenarios written all over them! And I hope they will re-canonize Katarn someday. Maybe Leia has a bit of trouble in the short gap between Rogue One and ANH and Katarn has to run interference (sneak on the chasing destroyer and fry the hyperdrive or something?).

I'm wondering if we didn't see part of the series finale of Rebels; if that finale won't consist mainly of the Ghost crew heading off to the battle at Scarif, their participation, then narrow escape, vowing to continue the fight with the Empire away from the main Alliance group...perhaps a moment of Vader sensing Kanan and Ezra's presences again, and the group not wanting to bring him down on Alliance command proper.

I loved the TPK, too many Hollywood movies are ruined by tacking on a stupid Disney ending (and they all live happily ever after) and for Disney to pull a TPK was awesome.

I look forwards to seeing more of the characters in the next season of rebels. You know they're gonna do it.

Based on a poster seen at Toys R Us, looks like Saw will be making the transition back to anmimated form on Rebels.

To all, who say the Tarkin CGI is uncanny... you know, Tarkin (aka Peter Cushing) IS uncanny.... so perfect.

Sorry, wrong horror icon:

(subtitle: Boris Karloff as Frankenstein, when he was billed as Karloff the Uncanny)

Just got back from seeing it again. As for the Ghost, when Vader's destroyer jumps in the Ghost is on the left side of the screen. Well what I assume is the Ghost. It looks like they would have been able to escape. Would love to run an adventure with a rebel group sent to rescue Admiral Raddus after he was captured when his ship was boarded. Since he knows the location of rebel assets.

Why do you hate TFA so much Desslok?

Fair question. Here's the bullet point summation of the conversation we had last year:

* I don't like Abrams as a director.

Ding! Ding! Ding! We have a winnah! I didn't hate TFA, but it was a fast-paced, well-timed nostalgia and trope-storm that relied on not giving you time to catch your breath to sleight-of-hand the plot holes, minimal character development, and Mary Sue antics past you. Its the "Abram's Special." He's a one trick pony.

On the other hand, I felt the new cast members were competent and had chemistry, so with a better script and director they have the potential to hit a home run. Which is not to say it wasn't very high production quality with a lot of nods and winks for fans to love. On the other hand, it didn't go beyond that.

But, frankly, Luke. Yes, I only got a few seconds of him, but I've been waiting to see Luke Skywalker up on the big screen again since 1983 . Abrams-groans aside, dreams do come true. WOOOOOOOHOOOOOOO!!!!!!

• Never explained why Cassian shot the grenadier in the city scene.
• The Director looked pretty shabby most of the time. Didn't seem right.

I thought he did it because the grenadier was about to blow up Jyn and/or civilians. I thought it was part of Saw's more extreme approach that alienated him from the Rebel Alliance.

I thought it fit the character perfectly, as portrayed in Catalyst. His ambition and ego exceed his capabilities by quite a lot; he designs his own uniform, maneuvers to get an impressive title, and is basically an ambitious ass. Like Tarkin, without the military cunning, skill, and style. He spends 20+ years getting the Death Star's weapons right, and only succeeds at all because of Galen - who puts in the fatal flaw right under his nose.

From a certain point of view, Krennic is (accidentally) the hero of the galaxy - without his banality, the Empire's super-station would've worked fine.

How did I miss all the Rebels references?!

Though that's largely on me, as one of my most despised plots is the "kill all the mains!" approach that you tend to see in the bleaker horror movies. The trope is usually called Developing Doomed Characters (aka "20 minutes with a$$holes"), and while I expected there were going to be deaths (much as I generally liked her character concept, I pegged Jyn Erso for being a goner), but after the shuttle got blown up, my enjoyment of the film got ratcheted down as it became increasingly clear this was going to end in a total party wipe, and that all these characters we spent time getting to know and like were ultimately grist for the mill.

See, this is where having a crazy diverse history of watching war flicks comes in handy. Something like Inglorious Bastards (the original not the Tarantino version) where nearly everyone on the entire commando team dies getting The MacGuffin is par for course because War Is Hell. So I went in knowing that I would be crazy surprised if anyone but Vader and Leia made it out of the movie alive.

Well, even Inglorious Basterds wasn't a TPK. Even Hatoful Eight ended on an ambiguous note about whether or not the last couple survivors made that much past the credits.

And as I said, I wasn't expecting everyone to make it out, due in part to the "War is Hell" aspect you mentioned, with Jyn, K2-SO, Bohdi, and Chirrut being the top of my "so not making it out alive" list. Then again, not many of the characters really got a whole lot of actual development, with Bohdi being top of the list, which just supports this being Star Wars: Cannon Fodder: The Movie in terms of the speaking roles, and my notion that they were wiped out simply because they weren't ANH and thus won't be able to detract from Luke & Company's status as the big heroes of the Rebellion as LordBiscuit noted.

How did I miss all the Rebels references?!

To be honest, apart from the message for one General Syndulla (which is probably for Hera but could also potentially be for her dad Cham), you needed pretty sharp eyes to catch most of them. The Ghost during the space combat scenes bordered on "blink and you'll miss it!" as did Chopper's scene.

I may watch this again when it comes out on video to see if I can actually spot all the Ghost/VCX-100 appearances, as well as the scene where R2-KT shows up; I know she's at the Yavin base at least, but not exactly sure where.

Let's try to stop making this topic a prequel and/or TFA bashing topic.

I have seen too much of the social media talk online already getting really toxic and I specifically started this topic to talk about Rogue One and not restart old feuds

I went to see RO again yesterday woth my wife and I am sticking to my earlier feelings. It is not a great movie. It is fine. A solid 7.

It is obvious that there were major reshoots and on my second viewing this really showed. Why I didn't see it the first time? I don't know. I guess I am not that smart.

I think the first 30 minutes are really, really among the worst in any Star Wars movie and had it not been for the worldbuilding I would have been put off by them. Not sure if a crawl would have fixed this though. It was all over the place and did not establish any real character apart from Cassian assassinating his informant. However the final 30 minutes were really good so that more than made up for it.

Again, "normal movie fan" I give it a 7. Star Wars fan I give it a 9.

However, I think that this movie won't be remembered as fondly or rated so high once the shine wears off.

I really enjoyed it. There were a couple things I could have definitely lived without (Vader making a pun) but overall I really liked it. I will most likely go see it again.

There are now FOUR Star Wars movies. I haz a happy.

There are now FOUR Star Wars movies. I haz a happy.

Thanks for doing what I just asked people not to do...

I saw the film the other day. Best star wars film I've seen since the original trilogy. It totally blows TFA out of the water (except for the Finn/Rey interaction). I can't find a fault in the film, only the lack of a crawl. Vader at the end was amazing, and i like the fact that it ends literaly hours or at most days before A New Hope. Really liked the temple guardians Chirrut and Baze. The TPK was sad but almost necessary i think.

I realy liked the Tarkin and Leia CGI, i didn't expect to see them and was totally surprised, so much that i didn't notice any uncanny valley effect.

I think that i can rightfully be considered a needed addition to the original trilogy.

I'd have to say Vader's end scene is top 3 best scenes in the movies. Assault on Leia's ship in Ep 4 will likely never be unseated. End scene with Luke and Leia on the medical frigate as the Falcon flies away also very likely unbeatable. It was **** good though.

You think any of the people (writers, etc.) played any star Wars rpg's? Probably not, but still.

I know Pablo Hidalgo from the story group has talked about how he used to GM a Star Wars game.

Pablo Hidalgo got his start writing for the West End Star Wars d6 RPG. He knows what's up.

I'd have to say Vader's end scene is top 3 best scenes in the movie. Assault on Leia's ship in Ep 4 will likely never be unseated. End scene with Luke and Leia on the medical frigate as the Falcon flies away also very likely unbeatable. It was **** good though.

Totally agree. Also the assault on Leia's ship is one of the few moments when the stormtroopers actually hit their targets realibly.

I dunno, they were center punching the **** out of rebels in this one.

Right....i was thinking only in terms of the original trilogy and Rebels.

My favorite scene was Vader Force choking Krennic as he walked away. Total BAMF!

I heard some folks complain about Vader dropping a one-liner as he turned around, but we saw Vader do much the same in ANH with the classic "I find your lack of faith disturbing" line, so telling Krennic not to choke on his ambitions was (for me at least) appropriate for Vader. Even more so with the backstory on Krennic not being a "in the field" commander, but really more of a bureaucrat that did his thing well away from the front lines, making him exactly the kind of officer that Vader as little liking of and even less patience for.

This. One consistent aspect of Anakin/Vader is an acerbic wit dry as the deserts of Tatooine. I was concerned going in that they were going to jettison that and go full edgelord. That scene convinced me that they grasped the full roundedness of the character, as opposed to just having him be an implacable force of darkness.

My main complaint with the film is that the sequence on Eadu felt largely superfluous. It accomplished a little character development, but it didn't move the plot forward at all. When they leave Eadu they're in the exact same position they were before going there: Flaw in the Death Star, need the plans from Scarif, unlikely to be able to convince the High Council.

Aside from that, I really enjoyed it. Like a lot of people here, this is the type of Star Wars story that I always wanted to see get the full movie treatment.