For some, December may mark the start of the holiday season, but for many Star Wars fans out there - Christmas came early with the release of Rogue One.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wji-BZ0oCwg
Rouge One: A Star Wars Story is a stand-alone addition to the Star Wars universe and the first film by Disney separate from the official trilogies. However, many have questioned whether this will make it a strength or a weakness in filmgoers' eyes.
"There was a sense of anticipation for The Force Awakens that I don't think there is for Rouge One. Now there's, 'Well show me what you can do next,'" notes film critic Duane Dudek.
The film’s story takes place before the original 1977 Star Wars, following a group of rebels on their mission to get a hold of the plans for the Empire’s weapon - the Death Star. As we know from George Lucas’ original films, although they are successful in their mission - things probably don’t end well for these new characters.
Despite knowing the ultimate outcome of the film, Dudek says that Rogue One will please viewers across the board.
"If the last film was a home run this film is a triple," he says. "I think it will come away satisfying a lot of people, but you could be a non-Star Wars fan and see this film."
Rouge One has not received as much unanimous praise as Episode VII, and Dudek admits that while it was entertaining, it "didn't feel like a classic Star Wars film. It just had a lot of action elements that we see a lot of in other kinds of superhero and fantasy films, but they're done well," he says.
When the screen is not filled with action sequences, Dudek's complaints include character archetypes and a lack of screen play originality - despite good direction by Gareth Edwards.
We have yet to see if stand alone Star Wars films will "potentially delude the franchise," but with plenty of street and battleship fighting, Dudek says many fans will feel right at home despite the lack of lightsabers.
"There's battles galore and all sort of widgets and details that will make the faithful feel right at home," he says.
Duane Dudek is the former film critic for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He continues to review movies at his website, The Dudek Abides.
