Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)

Easily my favorite Star Wars film since the original trilogy.

Cinematography by: Greig Fraser

Rogue One takes the sheen off the Star Wars universe and delivers a raw, gritty addition to the series that’s surprisingly engaging and emotionally fulfilling. There’s no major heroes in Rogue One’s medley of underdog protagonists either, just a random smattering of foot soldiers, pilots, and guerrilla warfare specialists - all of whom are expendable.

That sense of mortality combined with Edwards’s decision to employ lots of POV shots and handheld camerawork (or at least effects to make it seem handheld) gives the film a feeling of looming immediacy, rather than the more operatic aesthetic of the core films, although the battle scenes are no less expansive or thrilling. If anything, the finality of it all gives the battles even more weight and intensity.

The nostalgia of watching old scenes recreated with contemporary effects is also pretty invigorating, and the ending of a hellbent Darth Vader mowing through rebel soldiers might be one the most satisfying moments in the series. With it’s pulse-pounding action, sumptuous visuals, and entertaining characters, Rogue One is a thoroughly successful bridge between old and new, and an effective film in its own right as well.