By Stephanie LaCour
Viewers are thrown into a new story of The Rebellion, they are shown the backbone of the Rebel Alliance that they thought they were so familiar with after seeing the Rebellion introduced in the Original Trilogy. This story showed us something new and raw about the Star Wars universe; that this is all one big story about sacrifice, and how these people fought for what they believed in and while knowing they probably weren’t going to make it out alive. The Rebels were fighting for a better future, and that has been a theme throughout Star Wars. However, Rogue One is the first Star Wars movie that portrays this fight without the aid of a Jedi or the Force. This fight is done by people, normal people who battle for good, and this has never been as clear and beautifully drastic as it is in Rogue One.
The movie starts with the iconic golden title, however lacking the even more iconic title scroll that has preceded every Star Wars movie with an introduction to the current state of the galaxy. Jyn Erso is our heroine for a modern age, her dynamic background was sculpted from a life of an orphan stranded the first time when her Mother died and her Father went to work for the Empire. Then stranded again when Saw Gerrera left her in a bunker at the age of sixteen. On the outside she is seen as rough and cold, putting herself first without much care for others. However, on the inside Jyn has a big heart, saving a child from near death during a battle on Jedha. She knows what it is like to be abandoned and to have nothing. She has worked to get where she is and she won’t stop until something kills her. Jyn did not give her trust easily, after meeting Captain Cassian Andor it took her time to really trust him with their mission and herself.
Cassian Andor is an intelligence officer who has been in the fight against the Empire since he was six years old. His charm on screen left the audience wanting more, his dialogue is witty and smart, every line he has is something important and useful to the entire story. None of his screen time is wasted. Seen to be somewhat quiet and reserved among his peers, Cassian is a true rebel; fighting for what he believes in even if he knows the way he is fighting may not be the most moral. Eventually we all face tough choices, but Cassian knows that to defy his orders the consequences would trump the outcome. His commitment and belief is commendable and admired. He knows what he is doing and he is not afraid to stand up for what is right. Cassian had unwavering loyalty for the Rebellion, because he saw the Alliance as his family, he made it his home and his life. Equipped with a unique set of skills that made him adept for a wide variety of different assignments; including assassination, reconnaissance, sabotage and many, many others. He also had the ability to analyze information and act on that information immediately — without needing to contact any superiors which made him a valuable asset to the Rebellion.
Baze Malbus and Chirrut Imwe are two Guardians of the Whills from the Temple of Kyber on Jedha. After Baze had left the Guardians he became a freelance assassin, but he remained close friends with Chirrut throughout their lives. Chirrut is a blind warrior monk who has become adept at sensing his surroundings even though he has no force connection. Baze and Chirrut make a formidable foe, and do not need much to take down enemies quickly and efficiently. A wide number of fans support the theory that Chirrut and Baze are the franchise’s first same sex couple, and this now has serious support on the internet with the fanbase referring to them as “Space-Husbands”. If this is true, then their relationship is beautifully portrayed and definitely has real connection and emotion.
The ending scene by far is one of the most spectacular moments in a Star Wars film yet. Darth Vader ripping through the rebel ship dramatically, as a Sith Lord, is spine-chilling. His ability to cut through the rebel forces, as though they were paper, was a beautifully twisted way of showing just why he is so feared in the galaxy. In addition, the gut wrenching movements of the frantic soldiers as they try to pass the plans to the next set of hands that will lead them to freedom, showing how insignificant the soldiers are compared to the information held within the Death Star plans. Furthermore, displaying exactly what is at stake for the Rebellion in the years to come, and the struggle for freedom that has only just begun.