A Flawed Masterpiece - A Rogue One Video Essay

[@Ladyknightthebrave]

Just going to leave a comment here and let you all know. Yes I'm going to do an Andor S1 video. But I need to finish my blade runner video first which is taking me longer than it should have, just because life is tiring

[@peyton6683]

god bless

[@onelius]

watching andor i was thinking "it would be amazing if ladyknightthebrave made a video on this" and now i came to rewatch this video! and saw this comment! hell yeah.

[@LuckyFlanker13]

Hey LadyKnight, two questions 1. Have you watched EC Henry's analysis of the sacrifice that everyone in the Scarif attack made? I really like it as a corollary to your work. Link here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gqXYqZaoe8ZsrsU&ab_channel=ECHenry 2. Out of curiosity - will you ever finish that AO3 Rogue One series you wrote and featured in this video essay? Its still marked not complete. Saying this as someone who's starting your fic rn.

[@Ladyknightthebrave]

I have not watched that video. Also I'm pretty sure Of Stormy Seas and Galaxies is labeled as complete? If it's not I have no idea what setting I'm supposed to hit since they're each labeled the correct number of chapters

[@LuckyFlanker13]

@@Ladyknightthebrave Huh, I could’ve sworn the series was marked incomplete yesterday.thanks for the quick reply

[@FebreGundam]

Rogue One was the first Star WARS movie that felt like we were watching an actual WAR happening, instead of just being told about them

[@Mixu.]

I mean Clone wars also had proper full on battles, but I get what you mean. There's more of that desperate 'doing what we can' - going on with clear possibility of losing.

[@johnnemesh5459]

Yeah, Empire Strikes Back didn't happen at all, did it?

[@FebreGundam]

@@johnnemesh5459 There are some battles, a guy loses his hand and the other is frozen in metal, it's not exactly the Normandy Landings. Unlike this movie, where pretty much everyone you know dies by the end.

[@DrewCSchultz]

John Nemesh k Ink M Mjmjmjm Mjmjm

[@SIMIskits]

John Nemesh fr maybe hes got memory issues. But lets pretend war tropes were only introduced in rogue one and that Empire and Revenge of the Sith dont exist and if we talking just war like battles by themselves we can include the Battle of Geonosis, the invasion of Naboo, the attack on the Death Star 1 and 2, hell we might as well count in the battles in force awakens for the banter😂 i like Rogue One but come on “the first star wars movie to have war” just cuz everyone dies is a horrible argument as well, why does the whole cast have to die for it to be considered war like😂 i think the real correlation ur making is that it takes place on a beach so it seems more like world war 2 lol, Empire Strikes back has a battle where the soldier use trench warfare while they are being invaded by the Empire, but i guess thats not war like to you 😂

[@linkon2946]

Rouge One was the first Star Wars film that was like “oh, there are other people in the galaxy that are important that aren’t force sensitive” lol

[@Petidani0330]

I guess Han Solo, Lando Calrissian and Admiral Holdo (let's ignore her toxic leadership for now, and only focus on her sacrifice) were either not important enough for you, or you think they were force sensitive. Either scenarios are sad

[@LyraAurora]

@@Petidani0330 I have almost the same views as OP, but replace "force sensitive" with "closely connected to the Skywalkers".

[@filthydisgustingape5354]

@@LyraAurora I've always called it The Skywalker bunch; anyways I love the movie unlike the other trilogy (which I merely saw because I was suffering from Star Wars live action withdrawal) , because so much of the plot is pushed forward by what are effectively 'Red shirts'.

[@linkon2946]

@@Petidani0330 congrats you named three characters over a stretch over nine movies?

[@Petidani0330]

@@linkon2946 It was well enough to make your nonsense point false. Without either of these people, the Rebellion and the Resistance would've been destroyed

[@ryanaegis3544]

I think the most powerful part of the Battle of Scariff is that each member of the group has a mission critical to the success of the whole, but as each of them die, they don't know if their part, their sacrifice, actually mattered at all, because they don't know if anyone else succeeded. It drives the idea of duty to a cause to a whole new especially poignant level, especially after they realize they are trapped and very likely destined to die. Yet still they fight on. There is a sense of desperation that pervades the movie and yet, by the end of the movie, it is no longer a desperation to survive, but a desperation to succeed. When life is acknowledged as forfeit, the cause takes center stage, and everyone fighting for it, and dying for it, becomes a hero. And that, is why, this movie is so beautiful.

[@houseofmartok4518]

Ryan Aegis - This (yours) is the most intelligent, well-articulated comment I've seen on a youtube video in a very long time. It makes me wonder if you are a professional writer.

[@ryanaegis3544]

Thank you, but no, I am not. One mimics in speech and word that which they hear and read; I simply try to fill my head with good source material.

[@5ynthesizerpatel]

@@ryanaegis3544 - "There are so many stories where some brave hero decides to give their life to save the day and because of their sacrifice, the good guys win, the survivors all cheer, and everybody lives happily ever after. But the hero never gets to see that ending. They’ll never know if their sacrifice actually made any difference. They’ll never know if the day was really saved. In the end, they just have to have faith." Epsilon, Red Vs Blue s13e20

[@zyxwtuv12]

@@5ynthesizerpatel ain't that a bitch.

[@Warzaw911]

Synthesizer Patel YO I WAS NOT EXPECTING TO FIND RVB HERE, AND FUCK YOU FOR MAKING ME CRY

[@elipetrou9308]

In a dark way, I love that they all die, it makes the movie feel much more serious and not a corporate product made to sell toys.

[@LizofallTrades]

Wow do I feel this!

[@skiprenegade111]

United Bacons….you nailed it!

[@elipetrou9308]

@Gen X eh not really, everyone had to die because they didn’t appear later. You wouldn’t say war movies are “edgy” because people die, and this is just a Star Wars war movie

[@rickdeckardbladerunner2049]

I guess if you are not into real Star Wars, seeing them all die is a good thing. George Lucas, "By killing someone you alienate the audience." He did not believe that by killing someone you add more emotional impact. He also said Star Wars is a fairytale, and everyone is supposed to live happily ever after. Of course, some died in his films to serve the plot, but not to subvert expectations or to add unnecessary weight to a scene, which is what most of Disney Star Wars has done.

[@notsaying3118]

What’s interesting is how they get you to love these characters knowing they will all die.

[@fridaythe_18th]

"Are you kidding me?! I'm BLIND!" That is the hardest I can remember laughing during any Star Wars film.

[@bumfricker2487]

rogue one needed more Toph jokes

[@Max-cb2ro]

The movie could have reaaaaally gone without ''Is your foot alright?''. God damn I hated that line

[@Arthur_CNW]

Same man :'D It caught me totally off guard and I had a total fit xD

[@McSuperfly101]

I read somewhere that it was improvised on set (ie, not in the original script)

[@gaspardlaurent742]

Don't forget ARE WE BLIND ??

[@knighthaunter]

the fact they didn't kiss was seriously well crafted.

[@tsu8003]

Yeah I'm glad they didn't. Just shows that Disney doesn't always do cheesy afterall!

[@kawh8719]

RIght, and the more I see of Disney's hand the more I'm inclined to believe that the director fought for no kissing.

[@knighthaunter]

@@kawh8719 indeed, I hadn't thought of that but I bet you're right. It's sadly rare to see it done right these days.

[@LetsGetHighOnMorris]

Unlike the fucking sequels. This movie is an example of the quality I wanted from the new episodic entries.

[@slipwagon7944]

The Kylo/Rey kiss in Rise of Skywalker was awkward as hell

[@portella2509]

I never really thought of them dying as shock value, I always thought it was a way to give a lot more beauty to the original trilogy, when you watch it, and you think of how all those characters who are amazing on their own died so that those other characters we love could live and succeed. It's almost a more realistic view of, this is a war, this is serious shit, and there are people who believe things should be better, and knowingly sacrifice themselves so that it can change, even if they will never see it. Idk.

[@ComradeOgilvy1984]

Agreed. It puts a lot of flesh and blood and passion into the backstory, that would usually get mentioned very succinctly with one line like "many Bothan spies died to bring us this information".

[@goirish2816]

YES .... you are 100% correct. This film is on another level. I feel it should be judged outside of the others. This is a serious film about war.

[@Baja383]

Do not end your analysis with "idk". It was a great summary of what a lot of people loved about this film. Great job.

[@bendyloco]

Sparta! This aint, lol. You deleted your comment it looks like but I like talking about SW so I'll try to respect your privacy. But yeah I think this movie did what none of the others have done and took its material with a little seriousness - Space Wizards are just for the background ambiance - wizardry or "spells" yech aren't the main focus and the real threats all mostly come from technology like the Deathstar. You're entitled to your opinion though, it's just fun to talk about it all so long as we all try to keep the name calling to a minimum you scruffy-looking nerf-herder!

[@RedEveTillDawn]

I agree

[@cretinouscretin9677]

Something I find beautiful in this movie is how every one of the main character’s deaths has a personal triumph. -K-2SO protected those he loved. -Chirrut’s faith was rewarded in making it to the master switch, and his love rewarded by Baze’s arms. -Baze comforted Chirrut, got revenge, and chose his last sight. -Bodhi proved to himself that he truly was brave enough, and that his actions would set at least some things right. -Cassian put his guilt to rest and made a real human connection. -Jyn reconnected with the good in herself, her parents, and the Rebellion. It’s part of what makes their deaths all the more heartfelt to me.

[@cloudwolf3777]

And the tragedy that Jyn's father created a weapon that killed his daughter..

[@PaperMario64]

You forgot Saw Gerrera, who raised Jyn and was defiant to the end.

[@Angel_Love6680]

@@cloudwolf3777 he didn't create it, he just help make it work cus he's a engineer. The plans were originally made by Geonosians (Poggle The Lesser) and Gallen was actually force to do it by The Empire

[@CarpettinginMotel.townson]

If anyone in this chat says they kissed, I’ll metaphorically kick them in the fucking balls

[@CasualKrieger]

@Gen X would you care to elaborate on why its bad writing?

[@ricardobautista-garcia8492]

so here is where I can find people who prefer rogue one to other movies.

[@lordinquisitorstefanauster846]

The last of the "good" S W movies. The next 3 are a poisoned mess. I had a small hope for the very last one to pull them out of the mess but since the leak and the political issues, I can safely say it will be another poisonous mess.

[@lordinquisitorstefanauster846]

Let me correct myself. It seems The Mandalorian is good so it wasn't the last but I haven't watched it since I am just too disappointed with the "new" trilogy movies. Edit: I said 3 because I include the shit show called "Solo"

[@andyallen7437]

so glad it's not just me then !.

[@xvor_tex8577]

Probably the only Good or Ok Star Wars movie from Disney

[@GregCameron2008]

I do think its maybe the best of all SW as being a "War" movie.

[@RyanBeane]

I loved Cassian’s arc actually. He spends his whole life fighting, never getting to settle down. So the time he sat on the beach with Jyn was really the first time he could rest.

[@christopherroa9781]

Crying at 6am

[@enkimerlin3209]

damn it I'll say it...Rogue One is the best Star Wars film Disney has put out. The end...sad yet satisfying.

[@dawn2891]

Enki Merlin right?! It was such an unnecessary film too. But it’s good character writing, and awesome third act really justified it’s existence

[@anydaynow01]

I'd say the only one that was better was Episode V, Episode IV was really good but Rouge One edges it out by just a tad.

[@RaikenXion]

@@dawn2891 I just dont even get how it was "unnecessary", Solo was unnecessary. Maybe what you really mean to say here is that it was the kind of Star Wars movie you did not want.

[@dawn2891]

Raiken Xion what I mean is, we didn’t need a movie to fill in a plot hole from a movie that’s over 40 years old that no body ask for. As flawed as the film was in the beginning the ending was sure worth the watch.

[@luke8801]

Rogue One makes A New Hope better. The flaw in the Death Star that was steadily built for so long was out there intentionally.

[@magiv4205]

I really, really loved how Jyn and Cassian's last scene was done. I love that they didn't kiss. How they looked at eachother, completely at peace with their fate knowing that what they accomplished MIGHT just help bigger people save the galaxy at some point in the future, and how they hugged, was so much more emotional than any kiss could ever be. It was just the purest, most heartfelt expression of companionship I could ever hope for. Even though I have no problem seeing them in a romantic way, because their dynamic was built very organically, I hate that romance is so often portrayed as deeper and more important than friendship. In this scene, this is not the case. Their bond is not about friendship or love, it's just the unbreakable companionship that comes with being brother and sister in arms. They love eachother, and they are content to spent their last moments of life with eachother on that beach, and that's everything they need, and everything WE need. I want more movies to do this.

[@lindenstromberg6859]

Wait, so you love a scene simply because some random thing like a kiss didn’t happen? I don’t think a massive explosion is exactly romantic.

[@magiv4205]

@@lindenstromberg6859 You're free to take my comment that way and reduce it to that, but I think I made it pretty clear why I think the absence of a kiss was a great narrative choice.

[@lindenstromberg6859]

@@magiv4205 I have no issue with you liking they didn’t kiss. I’m just wondering where the idea that they were supposed to kiss comes from? Like, was it in the original script? (If so, terrible writing).

[@magiv4205]

@@lindenstromberg6859 Oh, now I get your question. I don't know anything about an original script for this movie, I was just positively surprised that in a spot where most mainstream movies I've seen would insert a corny last minute declaration of love, this movie chose to omit that, because it was wholly unnecessary. I guess it's celebrating the bare minimum, but it's Disney Star Wars, my hopes weren't high in the first place.

[@brucebartup6161]

@@lindenstromberg6859 The kiss that never was . In conventional B movies that were the origin of Star Wars (Buck Rogers, Masters of the Universe etc ) the closing shot would often be hero and heroine (skimpy costume, lots of decolletage) kissing. The kiss said, arc of character complete. Happily ever after. The kiss proved that or boy biy is a a -hero after all. It''s the kiss that told you that the good guys won In Roguue One tthere's none of tthat. In Rogue One characers don't develop, they die. And aalthough all other pasings are sad, the Jyn/Casssian one is mst ouching. Their embrace has to atand in for all the others they could have had with each other or som srange don.t.##Star WAras, Buck ogers with a tiuxxh of clas.

[@eddyawesomes]

The one thing that gets to me about this movie is the shot when Diego Luna's character hugs her right before they die and he opens his eyes and looks at the ground and you can just see his expression. Like he's holding her to show bravery for each other but you can see he's terrified. He's a GREAT actor!

[@JoviaI1]

I took that last eye movement as looking at the camera, a bit very subtle 4th wall break to nod at the audience (the fans).

[@mrbigdiscoparty4671]

Yep total fear, like a primeval scream against death in a simple silent gesture. Great acting.

[@EK-ev3pt]

@@mrbigdiscoparty4671 Good description for this harrowing moment.

[@avalasialove]

I always interpreted his facial expression as a last minute euphoria. Kind of like how, under so much stress, our brain tries to catch up with everything going on. He's hugging someone he's grown close to right before he dies, so he, of course, tries to focus more on the first part before his end

[@sonderstudios6675]

I agree. It's a very realistic scene.

[@nero91]

You know what I really liked? That they did not kiss.

[@richardbond258]

Yeah I like that one better than attack of the clones. Return of the Jedi is another favorite. I do like Rogue One a lot as well.

[@nero91]

@Linus Hohmeyer No, just hugged

[@marymcallister7963]

i did ship them, but that elevator scene at the end was more romantic than any kiss ever could be. The way they looked at each other killed me

[@TheFlash-rh2el]

Do you know what I don't like? People using the words "flawed" and "masterpiece" in the same sentence. Lol There's no such thing 😂

[@G4U5]

Me too

[@mhaze210]

Rogue One is what I imagined Star Wars looking like (outside of the Skywalker Saga) basically brought to life on the big screen. Plus it was 1 contained story.

[@colonelcalhoun2175]

It's the *very best* of the Disney-LF installments, period 44:09

[@avalasialove]

Rogue One was the only Star Wars film to only make me feel dread; an emotion more powerful than sadness, disappointment, shock, etc. Even with only one movie, the character development absolutely won my heart, but then decided to set it on fire and dance on its ashes with how all the characters died one by one

[@kyleerrington8004]

I respect your opinion and totally agree with it… all the way up until the end. I really like how they all died. It matches up with the sense of dread you mentioned. And it really undermines the huge sacrifice the rogue one members made to get those plans

[@Marvel101-t2j]

I think it works best with them dying. We see near misses all the time in these movies. It's typical of heroes and we love them for it. But what gets missed at times is why the Rebellion is fighting (the exploitation and slavery shown in this movie) and the true cost of fighting against it. We were personally invested in these people who would be considered battle fodder in other movies. Everyone else dead and the Death Star coming over the horizon really gives you that hopeless feeling. And then Vader. As soon as that lightsaber ignites all I could think was "run dude!" It made me see that the empire was ruling with an iron fist, whereas before I knew they were the bad guys but had only seen it on a military level.

[@googlereviewer1944]

This was easily the best Star Wars films outside of the original trilogy. They should release the longer directors cut version of it.

[@jarisipilainen3875]

they are making new like this. if nothing else thay make scifi movie and title it star wars + name something lol

[@macmcleod1188]

It's actually my 3rd favorite star wars film. Original, Empire, Rogue One, First half of ROTJ then...

[@AWAL76]

@@macmcleod1188 100% agree!

[@shumandaniele]

@@macmcleod1188 Agree as well. The Endor part of Jedi was ridiculous, so I have to put Rogue One ahead of it.

[@artisan002]

Well, I don't know if the director wants to come back for that kind of an edit. Plus, they have to finish getting their continuity sorted out.

[@oya7524]

Some of the things I liked about Rogue One was how they treated the old characters with dignity. Vader and Tarkin acted as they would and should have. Call it fanservice, call it a tribute or call it character concistency, I liked it, and it didn't hurt the story. Though on a sidenote, I just think they should've just gone without the CGI-uncanny valley. The real actor, Guy Henry certainly looks the part well enough. Lastly they created a lot of new characters, adhered to previously established rules, and did something new in making the movie darker, grittier and with actual main character deaths.

[@vonhule]

They made the original Darth Vader look stupid in comparison to how "bad ass" he is in RO. That is not how he was in the original! They did nothing new and interesting with the characters to justify the existence of the movie other than making fans masturbate. It's nothing more than a stupid action movie with unnoticeable characters. The characters you underline are not characters in this movie, like they were in the originals, they are props made to make you say "wow". TLJ did something new with the characters, which justifies it's existence. Darker and grittier!?! Just because characters die doesn't make it darker or grittier. If they did something thematically with the deaths, like for instance making them pointless, see that's dark, but no, they didn't die in vain. That's a very light-hearted theme. TLJ on the other hand establishes thematically that all the characters, which die in the beginning of the film, die in vain. Making Luke fail as a master, that's darker than anything that happens in RO. (You can barely call them) Characters dying ≠ darker and grittier.

[@ColonelGoogy]

@vonHule TLJ accomplished two things. One; it made the new characters irrelevant, specifically Poe, Finn, Rose, Hux, Holdo, and Snoke. Finn was the star of Force Awakens and was the best thing to come out of that movie so it was that much more of a disappointment that his role was diminished and pointless. Two; it divided the fan base. Dark and gritty you say? Hardly. It was confusing, it lacked identity and it was praised for breaking all the rules of Star Wars and shattering expectations. I will agree that it was “unique and different,” which begs the question however; why even make a Star Wars movie if it doesn’t feel like Star Wars?

[@vonhule]

@@ColonelGoogy One: Rey was the star of TFA and the best thing to come out of that movie. Also, Johnson didn't make the characters irrelevant, he made them fail which is a theme of the movie; failure (and not in that way, haha). Two: dividing the fanbase is a well accomplished thing to do, it makes the movie worthwhile being able to discuss it. TLJ did feel like SW while at the same time doing something new and more thought out with it. Making something that doesn't feel like SW in the way you'd expect it is an accomplishment. Also, SW is a very limited, obsolete and burned out franchise which needed something new to be done with it to make it more relevant, which Johnson accomplished.

[@ColonelGoogy]

@vonHule Rey was written to be the star and while I did like Rey, the character I thought most about after seeing the movie was Finn. How bad are his injuries? Is he going to be okay? Is he force sensitive? What was his background as a stormtrooper like? Will we get to see any of that? How will it affect his future relationships? With Rey it was like, “okay so she’s a jedi, she’s super powerful, she can’t be defeated, etc.” All I wondered was who her parents were. So yeah, in my opinion, Finn was a bigger deal. Having a character fail is all well and good and certainly builds on a story but the characters did nothing to progress the narrative or set up for the next movie. A better example of failure would be The Empire Strikes Back. No one can save Han and then Luke shows up but he fails, and gets his hand cut off, and loses his lightsaber. Yet it still manages to set up for a third movie. Rian Johnson certainly thought dividing the fan base was a spectacular accomplishment. I'll admit the guy is a really good writer/director (not for Star Wars though). Brick is still one of my favorite movies of all time. However, his ego is so massive now I can’t stand the guy. When your goal is to divide a fan base, saying nasty things to those that didn’t like what you created is petty and hypocritical. TLJ isn’t new or thought out. Act for act its actually pretty much Empire Strikes Back. Finally, if you think SW is limited, obsolete and burned out you really should read some of the novels, maybe check out a galactic atlas or vehicle/location compendium or play some of the video games or maybe even watch the Clone Wars animated series. Heck if you’re brave enough you could find yourself a game master to take you through a Star Wars table top rpg adventure. Then again, based on the idea that you think SW is limited/burned out/obsolete, I get the impression you’re only a fan of the movies, and that’s okay.

[@KoNekoNoUta]

@@vonhule " SW is a very limited, obsolete and burned out franchise which needed something new to be done " spoken like fan, he do not.

[@Quaabo]

It is the only Star Wars film I would defend against someone hating Star Wars. Also the only one I actually felt fear in one of the battle scenes.

[@MarkHayes-ue7hs]

Fear? Ok. But that OH SHIT moment when Vader lit his saber. The moment those guys knew they were DEAD.

[@tunasandwich8049]

@Derek Mitchell idk the change of how the deathstar blows shit up the version in Rogue one seems more terrifying. Like sudden boom is scary but like to see the inevitable slowly creep torwards you, really something eerie about it.

[@anydaynow01]

@@tunasandwich8049 Totally agree, an initial massive explosion then a fiery shock wave engulfing a planet at the speed of sound and tearing the surface to shreds instead of an instantaneous puff of smoke and rocks in place of a planet is definitely the way I would imagine a weapon like that working. Plus like you said it is more dramatic, in a believable way.

[@Elizabeth-gx3gj]

This film made me actual fear Darth Vader. I was honestly a little scared during that scene where the rebels kept passing on the Death Star plans and he was slaughtering them

[@samuelgordino]

@Derek Mitchell The hood had a fatal design flaw and Yamato was sunk by dozens of bombers and torpedo planes not fighters.

[@geekygirl_2002]

I personally love the fact that Darth Vader makes a dad joke. It's just, he doesn't even know about his son yet, and yet he's still somehow a dad. I mean he says it while practically killing someone but it's still really funny because he's a dad

[@paddykriton3475]

It's simple: this is what we thought the prequals were going to be. There is so much loss and sacrifice to answer the simple question about the plans.

[@shadowfoxx4]

What's simple?? You said that like you were answering a question

[@jayukryn9077]

The "widening of the eyes" by Cassian just before he died was brilliant. I heard someone say that it must have been a blooper, like he was looking up, expecting to hear "cut." I don't buy it. It's how someone would die. Even if it was a blooper, it was smart to leave it in.

[@sigmacademy]

The widening of the eyes can be interpreted as a realization that your moment of death has arrived as a character (which makes the embrace of a fellow soldier so much more potent as a visual), or the realization that you have finally found whatever you were looking for - sharing a private "intimate" moment as the end approaches (i.e. not dying alone, which has more of a meaning for that character, because he mentioned at the beginning that he has always fought for as long as he can remember - and would have lost many friends and family along the way). Think of it as a moment of sudden revelation, like finding a sense of peace in his final moments.

[@samwallaceart288]

Leia: I don’t know what you’re talking about. Vader: ?... I SAW you. FIVE MINUTES AGO.

[@jesserochon3103]

lol

[@jasons5916]

Renegade Cut makes an interesting argument about this. Leia is acting like a person trying to get out of a parking ticket by acting like she didn't do anything. kzbin.info/www/bejne/kISskJymeaaji5o . When the movie came out, I figured there were many ships that look like the one Leia used and Vader caught her far away from where it originally escaped (from Scarif to Tatooine).

[@drawde_064]

SamWallace Art several hours ago actually

[@GoSlash27]

Lister, not only are you stupid enough to bring an unregistered cat aboard this ship, but you also took a picture of yourself with the cat and had the negative developed in the ship's lab! So I will ask you again: Do you have a cat? "No Sir." (Holds up the picture) Do... you... have... a... cat? :D

[@Yora21]

"Several transmissions were beamed to this ship by rebel spies." Or one CD, hard to tell.

[@exponent2316]

Am i the only one here who wishes that Krennic was as sarcastic as he was in the first scene for the rest of the movie? I swear I lose my shit everytime Krennic says "Oh Lyra, back from the dead. Miraculous."

[@mauz791]

Same. He was just angry of being inadequate in the rest of the movie, because everyone belittled him 😔

[@michielwerring5846]

I wish they'd cut the office politics (Empire did it better) and used that time to flesh out his relationship with the Erso family so their final stand-off had meaning. That strange flashback to the party (on Coruscant?) implied he was a family friend. There'd be more meaning if "Uncle Krennic" and "Little Jyn" had a stand-off, instead of white-mantled middle-manager and passive-protagonist.

[@Vainone009]

I was just like you: I was enjoying the movie, and when the Death Star popped up over Scarif I was like "holy shit--is everybody gonna DIE??"

[@adamsifford6228]

If you watched previous movie yo would know they were doomed to death.

[@safe-keeper1042]

Yeah, I didn't think "they're not in ANH, so they must all die" either.

[@safe-keeper1042]

@@adamsifford6228 Possibly a stupid question, but what previous movie? Is Rogue One a sequel to some other film?

[@WisdomSeller]

​@@safe-keeper1042 It is a sequal to star wars episode 3: The revenge of the sith

[@arthurolivi3747]

@@adamsifford6228 I believed they’d live cuz the part we see of the rebellion in that movie are just pilots, like the fuck you wanted them to do?

[@natemandoo]

The thing I loved about this movie IS that everyone dies in the end. You dont take a single squad sized element to engage an entire military garrison and expect to survive. Even if the storm troopers always had terrible aim. I mean I was a bit more prepared when I saw titanic that I knew the boat was going to sink (yea there was room for Jack) but the entire planet getting blown up was a far better ending. I too was caught by the " ohhh nooooooo" ending as you were.

[@natemandoo]

@John I was referring to the hero's.

[@macmcleod1188]

Lots of people claim "it was obvious" but I didn't see it until just before the ending. So many movies have a "hollywood" ending that I wasn't prepared for them to have both a war film where almost everyone dies and then to take it all the way to a T.P.K. But it felt right. It made sense. A "hollywood" ending would have felt so lame.

[@hugogodinez2477]

When i first saw the trailer, the first thing that come to my mind was: they should kill every member of the rogue one, because they said in a new hope that everybody died to get the plans, but they are not going to do it. Man, i was wrong

[@jonathanbailey2830]

The planet is not destroyed at the end, and for the video itself, neither is the planet destroyed when Jeddha is destroyed.

[@justanotherschmuck4149]

"you don't take a single squad sized element to engage an entire military garrison and expect to survive." *star wars rebels has entered the chat*

[@Sammyandbobsdad]

The actors were all so good they make us care about what happens to the characters despite the fact that the characters were lost somewhere in the making.

[@philopharynx7910]

My headcanon is that Jyn had been hopeful in the past. It was her default as a child. But over time she built up indifference as a defense. She lost her mother to the Empire. She lost her father in an even worse way - one that left out hope that he'd come back for her. I think she held out faith on that for a long time. She lost her second father figure to the rebellion, and more specifically to the most extreme part of the rebellion. He chose to turn away from her towards something more important. And then she was on her own. She had to survive in a hard world. She could have chosen to just take a job and become a small cog in the imperial society. But even though she didn't choose to fight them, she couldn't just fit in. She wasn't a Rebel, but she was rebelling as a thief. She kept away from the rebellion because they had left her just like her father did. Yes, it's an immature action, but Jyn hasn't had the chance to become mature. When she sees the message, it shows that her father always thought of her and reignites her faith in him. She learns a little of Saw's reasoning and it bring out the hope that she didn't have before. Cassian sees this and this hope releases the hope that he had to bite back when he had to do wrong for a cause. Jyn faces a rebellion that doesn't have enough hope, but Cassian keeps it alive brings in the others.

[@mephi2go]

I wouldn't even use the word 'headcanon' in this case. I would say that's a perfectly valid interpretation of the text. 'Headcanon' somehow implies a more... popular scientific approach to reader-response criticism as an internally productive means of interpretation. And your answer is nothing but an interpretation that can be justified by the text (the movie) itself. Don't sell yourself short by reverting to invalidating terms like 'headcanon'.

[@basedvato]

I been saying Rogue One my favorite for years, I think the fan base is finally coming around to appreciate it.

[@basedvato]

@Derek Mitchell What you say is valid criticism, but compared to all the newer generation star war films, this one was just enjoyable for me.

[@fix24311]

@Derek Mitchell I think you didn't watch the movie properly. Galen Erso was brought to Death Star construction because he knows how to manipulate the kyber crystals to become planet killing weapon. The Geonosian you saw giving the plan to Dooku is just that. Giving a Death Star base plan. The ultimate weapon was made by Galen. He deliberately insert the flaw when he modified the plan. The planet killing weapon wasn't included during Attack of The Clones

[@fix24311]

@Derek Mitchell hahaha.. you really need to go and watch it again. Krennic was not Hitler. There's no comparison. Galen was Imperial officer before the start of the movie. He was already working on Death Star 15 years before the movie. Why would Krennic go find someone else? Go watch the movie and understand it before making rubbish claims

[@fix24311]

@Derek Mitchell you are the numbnuts here. until you go and watch the movie carefully you will live in denial. Palpatine doesn't personally see the Death Star construction. He delegate it to Krennic. Galen was Imperial officer before the start of the movie. there were dialogues and even flashback showing this. he ran away when he realized what he done (and this is during the time when Death Star construction is still in progress. How many years do you think it would take to make a moon size base?) The second Death Star does not have the exhaust port weakness that was put in by Galen. So I don't know what you are talking about. And according to history, atomic bomb would have never been made if US didn't pardon Germany scientists and bring them across. The technology would have died together with the Nazis

[@fix24311]

@Derek Mitchell oh... Now German scientists are jews? It wasn't that long ago you said Hitler rather shoot them than hire them 🤣 Nazi made the first ICBM in V2 rockets and heavy water bombs, the precursor to atomic and nuclear bomb when no one can. But now you said they were jews? And Hitler would shot them instead of hiring them? Make up your mind dude. You're drunk.

[@lilhonor5425]

I saw this with my Dad and his review was “Damn they really did that”

[@Poodlestroop]

Here’s the highest praise I can give this video: after finishing it, I immediately opened up your 300K word R1 fanfic and started reading.

[@jb9090]

The actors in this film were in a whole other class (among the best in the whole series) and the story more grown up than most of the others. I really enjoyed the story and characters in this one. It’s my favorite behind A New Hope and Empire Strikes Back

[@MrMmnngghh]

Same, in the same order.

[@mikeyounis80]

Agreed

[@blabbyboy]

I loved this movie too. I'd take Empire over A New Hope, but they're all in my are my top 3!

[@kythian]

@@blabbyboy Exacly. I used to like A New Hope best, but I've changed my stance as an adult. Top three favorites for me, in order, are The Empire Strikes Back, A New Hope, and Rogue One. And... this essay was beautiful. Thank you, Ladyknightthebrave.

[@ianedmonds9191]

@@kythian My order too. Luv and Peace.

[@jacoblucas4259]

Let's start a petition to get the disney higher ups to let Diego Luna touch Jabba

[@ThatJerseyBloke]

I bet he'll get to touch Jabba in his Disney+ show.

[@euansmith3699]

Wasn't the Torture Squid enough Hentai? :D

[@SkepticalCaveman]

That will only encourage fan fiction writers.

[@riomoon3212]

Clearly not. They let Thrawn be touched by a tentacle monster in a (not even young adult)children's cartoon series two years after RO was released.

[@nothefabio]

My headcanon: Chirrut Îmwe unintentionally cursed the Stormtroopers, giving them a really bad aiming.

[@mariatourino9545]

Headcanon accepted

[@jacquelinewithac8668]

Headcannon: accepted

[@zakai-kaz]

Headcannon: accepted

[@ZenFattyCat.4869]

Headcanon: Acknowledged and Accepted

[@B-A-L]

Headcannon: Acknowledged, accepted and proven.

[@ajkbertho]

This really reminds me of Halo: Reach. A band of characters that know that their fate is sealed but selflessly act for the greater good of who they care for.

[@thecalmclone2813]

@Skippy Dinglechalk Im not going to correct you, but what i will say is that Reach is darker, in rogue one, all the characters die in sacrifices / die nobly but in reach, Jorge dies thinking he’s saved reach but hasn’t and Kat gets gunned down by a sniper, obviously the others do die in sacrifices, we only sort of see it in the films but during reach brave UNSC soldiers also died pointlessly, whether it be Stanforth or the spartans sent to the ground to protect the ODP’s. In Rogue One, the dead rebels are successful in their job, in Reach, the UNSC is battered and almost completely loses with almost all its fleet, most of its spartans and its second most important planet gone for no reward, if reach had been invaded later, Red Flag would have gone ahead or/and the UNSC would have found Halo anyway

[@MELODYMUNRO]

My favorite bit in Rogue One is when the star destroyer falls into the ring ... the music is perfect.

[@RaikenXion]

I really liked when Bail Organa says that hes heading back to Alderaan to see speak to a friend and that he would trust her with his life, that got me and a few other fans a chuckle in cinemas where everyone else was silent watching that scene cause they didnt understand it's implications.

[@johnnemesh5459]

My favorite bit was when the credits rolled.

[@KoNekoNoUta]

@@johnnemesh5459 that timing for the credits could not be more perfect.

[@CrabTastingMan]

*"Be careful not to choke on your aspirations"* Seriously, those who think this Vader's joke is out of character are idiots. They forget in ESB Vader made morbid jokes like: *"Apology accepted, Captain Needa."* as he kills someone for bearing ill news. What's really stupidly written is how a lowly Director, being as smart as he is to climb the ranks to that position, even thinks it's not suicide (politically and literally) to shout at directly into the face of the one and only Grand Moff Tarkin.

[@rmm2370]

It made more sense to me after reading Krennic's backstory in Catalyst - those two had an insane rivalry (i.e. Krennic started a small war to get Tarkin off his back / retain control of the DS at one point). He was smart, yes, but he wasn't very rational. And he really, really hated Tarkin - when Tarkin finally took control of the DS it made sense he'd go a bit manic. I did find it pretty hard to believe he'd grovel to Vader, though. THAT'S suicidal.

[@rantingrodent416]

I'd note that our impression of the absolute authority of Tarkin is based on A New Hope, in which he establishes that he *just* disbanded the Senate, so the whole context of their rivalry was built up while Tarkin likely had some kind of political leash on him.

[@Sinewmire]

To be fair, "Apology accepted, Captain Needa" is one of my favourite Vader lines for it's delivery. It's humour, but it is bitter, poisonous humour. There's a little quaver in James Earl Jones' voice that shows Vader choking on his anger and disgust. You can practically hear him grinding his teeth, and it's that unchecked anger that drives Vader to keep killing officers. I like how the scene shows what happens to decent men in the Empire. The line to Krennik is fine, but it's not A+ material, I feel.

[@Torus2112]

"Perhaps you think you're being treated unfairly?"

[@hariseldon6668]

Gabriel I’m gonna have to disagree with you, buddy. Was that line necessary? Probably not, but it isn’t at all out of character for the man who said “I find your lack of faith disturbing” to the guy who criticized Vader’s belief in the power of the force; as well as “We would be honored if you would join us” to the guy he just disarmed and blocked blaster shots with his bare hands; and of course “Apology accepted, Captain Needa” to the man who he just force choked to death. Basically, Darth Vader utilizes cold sarcasm whenever he’s delivering a point to someone. To Needa, it was that even apologies will not save you from failure; to Solo, it was that he was helpless and under Vader’s control to do with as he pleased; to Admiral Motti, it was that Motti’s criticism was hilariously misguided; and to Krinic, it was a rather literal warning, and in my opinion about as kind of formal courtesy that Vader could possibly give someone. Vader’s depiction in Rogue One is what I have always wanted. Before this, we’ve only seen Vader fight other force sensitives with the exception of the time Han shot at him at Cloud City, which again, HE BLOCKED WITH HIS FREAKING HANDS! Obviously, Vader is considerably more powerful against regular folks than he is against force sensitives. His depiction here makes him so much more menacing and respectable as a villain. I now watch the OT with more awe of his character knowing what he’s capable of. And as far as his having to be in this movie, I hardly feel I even need to debate this. This ending fits so seamlessly with the beginning of A New Hope that i always want to watch these two movies back-to-back. Vader is an absolutely necessary component. If you think he isn’t, then I’m surprised you don’t object to Tarkin, Leia, Mon Mothma, Dodonna and every other character who appeared in the other movies too. I just struggle to understand your abhorrence for Vader in this movie. It was one of the best parts, in my opinion.

[@MarkoMijuskovic]

Rogue One is certainly the best Disney SW movie by a mile... nothing else comes even close. It has everything a great movie should have.

[@MarkoMijuskovic]

Tom Ffrench I disagree that it does not have great characters. In fact characters are better developed than in any other Disney SW movie. I actually genuinely cared about them and was pretty sad to see that they all gave their lives in the end. In fact that is what I like most, the movie shows you that choices you make have consequences not like mindless crap plots from the other SW movies Disney made where no matter what happens good guys win, beat all odds and sail away into the sunset.

[@thefivecorneredsquare9957]

Bravo & well said, MM! Although I might amend, _'At one point, It __-has-__ had everything a great movie should have.'_ Considering aforementioned _Flawed Masterpiece_ video essay as proof of any pre-existing alternate story elements, already in place, before -the studio- Kathleen Kennedy got her hopelessly, tragic insecurities smeared all over the film, once again, jettisoning the new, young moviemaking talent, only to install the seasoned veteran of the industry in his place, so KK might reclaim & re-assemble an already great film ...So Great, that not even their meddling in the final hour could detract from it's already established awesomeness. *_Rogue One_** is the very best Lucasfilm ever produced* (*by Kathleen Kennedy), *post-George* *considering she had No involvement w either the Original or Prequels Trilogies.

[@colonelcalhoun2175]

@Tom Ffrench Considering the never ending insecurities & inexperience that seems to plague every Kathleen Kennedy Lucasfilm project, e.g. repeatedly disqualifying your new, uprising filmmakers for the established industry veteran, *_Or_* that K.K, installed the _Bourne Identity_ scribe (how many memorable -stuntmen- characters in that franchise??), Tony Gilroy, only months prior to deadline, I think the few remaining or scattershot _Great characters_ still on-screen from Edwards' shooting script & initial cut, qualifies this exceptional space odyssey, could give way to a better feature, or be forgiven outright, whenever experiencing the final (whole) product; Just as so many here have already, hence, the video essay (or did you not even bother?)

[@caresseofficial6741]

the mandalorian is great !

[@thatnikkakris2339]

Marko Mijuskovic I disagree, it was very messy and boring at the start. Also at the beginning they tried introducing waaaay too many characters at once. The pacing overall was very bad. Everything else was either decent or great

[@annamarie5014]

My old married couple gets me every time when they die. My best friend and I cosplayed female versions of Chirrut and Baze and I love them SO MUCH.

[@frivoulous11]

“I’m shipper trash” I knew their was a reason I’ve been loving all of your analysis! But really! You are one of the only video essayists on KZbin that I’ve watched who manage to truly live the sentiment “you can criticize something and still love it” which I have been personally struggling with, and not just with cinema. So thank you for showing the beauty of nuance in action and loving complexly!

[@kythian]

Itty bitty spoiler ahead... "Shipper trash" get a squee moment in The Rise of Skywalker. That is all.

[@KYLETIBOR]

I appreciate CGI Tarkin as it reminds me of all the ballsy cutting edge special effects that the original trilogy used.

[@astral_nemesis]

Kyle Tibor they push the limits of cgi more than any other series tbh

[@KYLETIBOR]

@@astral_nemesis, yeah that is my point. I like that they take risks and push the envelope. From RO back to 1977 Star Wars. kzbin.info/www/bejne/o3rPip5tgLaYY9U

[@KillianoC]

I didn't find it too bad, but if people don't push the boundaries then we can't make advances. I applaud them for being bold. Leia looked a lot better I thought though.

[@kennethfharkin]

I was really not bothered by Tarkin and liked there adding some more menace to him. Compared to Special Edition CGI Tarkin ROCKS!

[@kidder83]

Honestly, I live with it bc Tarkin that isn't Tarkin would be weird lmao Either that or get Charles Dance lmao

[@princessjello]

Disney: wants a war film Also disney: make it fun! Wtf mannnnnn

[@hapwn]

And hentai is perfectly normal

[@euansmith3699]

Kelly's Heroes is a fun heist film set during a war... Darn, now I want to see someone make "Kelly's Heroes... IIIIIIN SPAAAAAAAAACE!!!"

[@JustAnotherPaddy]

Euan Smith - the original idea of this film may very well have been along those lines. The thought occurred to me while watching it.

[@jarisipilainen3875]

remember its for kids also to sell toys.what kind movie its hardcore and sell toys lol

[@vector6977]

I mean saving Pvt Ryan even has funny parts.

[@mikhailstewart]

I really love Star Wars and only cried three times for Star Wars.. 1. when Ahsoka said goodbye to Anakin for the last time before he turned to the dark side. 2. During Order 66 3. And the final scene of Rogue One.

[@adorkability]

I think Tarkin would have worked much better as a hologram. The visual distortion would have hidden a lot of the "uncanny valley-ness" presenting him as flesh and blood caused.

[@Justanotherconsumer]

That’s really good, actually. Plays to nostalgia value too. Fisher came out... better, at least.

[@wyattweber9983]

I always thought he should have just been seen in reflection from the glass and never turned around

[@Wavyhill]

Holy shit. That would have been perfect. Such an easy fix.

[@brucemckay6615]

Peter Cushing was all into Hammer horror... makes perfect sense the way it was done...

[@ScienceWinsEveryTime]

The first shot of him is a reflection in a window and it worked great until he faced the camera. Had they limited him to wide and medium shots, kept him in shadows and reflections, it would have been fine. But they had to show off with so many ridiculous closeups that the artificiality was on full display the whole time. And don't get me started on wax museum Leia.

[@Exedorable]

There are so many reasons why Rogue One can be considered the best one of them all. It hits all the highlights exceptionally well: good vs evil, great score, solid cast, fun and adventure, epic ground battle, epic space battle, epic saber fight (albeit not a duel, this time), characters and events you care about which have clear setups and payoffs not to mention motivation. And while it brings some unique aspects to the table, such as (obviously, of course) their deaths and the almost Christopher Nolan-esque touch of Jyn's childhood nickname (no joke, my heart was in my throat when she found the plans and told Cassian how she knew) what this movie does that places it at the #1 spot for me is that it transcends Star Wars. It isn't so much about the good vs evil which is the infamous criticism of all of Star Wars in its entirety (namely that it's basically just philosophy for children) but instead it's about the cost of waging that fight. When the credits rolled during my first screening of it in theaters (and there were multiple) I sat there for a good ten minutes and simply digested how close to mirroring reality this story may have been. Imagine if in reality, unknown to the masses (perhaps unknown to *all* those in living memory) that the victory of WWII was just that close. A defector w/ information, smuggled to carry his warning over to the other side, perhaps himself and every single soul who helped him deliver that message perished mere minutes (perhaps mere moments) after their success, which is what turned the tide of the war. I sat in that dim theater and considered the odds of just how much our world depends on events such as these, where dumb luck, chance, coincidence or willful betrayal of the conscience tipped the scales in our favor. And of course the beauty of the imagery, from the attention to almost every detail (costume, architecture) to the artistic expression of Gareth Edward's vision - of note are, naturally, most scenes w/ the Death Star (particularly reflections on its floor), Vader's entrance, the beauty and awe of the devastation caused during Jedha's destruction, Galen Erso's message (one of the most touching and beautifully written monologues in recent memory), the witty and purposeful dialogue wherein nearly every single line that every character says has both a clear connection to events preceding it (and a connection to the larger Star Wars mythos) as well as sheer entertainment value, and the determination of a team that faces near certain death, and once it becomes certain - persists to succeed. This is a rare gem that combines a well written, meaningful story w/ real heart and gorgeous imagery.

[@snackpack3787]

Not Star Wars related, but a fun war coincidence based on luck: During the American Civil War, General Robert E. Lee planned an invasion of Maryland. The Confederacy was starving and needed additional help. Lee was going to use Maryland to bring the starving Confederacy more food. During the planning for this, he wrote out his battle plans in a letter which was found discarded in a field by Union troops. Unfortunately, the Union general who it was brought to, General McClellan, was a bumbling idiot and waited too long to use them to their full potential, but still used them to effectively stave off Lee's invasion. The letter was used to get the upper hand on Lee, who had been a brilliant strategist and one of the main figureheads of the Confederacy. Their pursuit of Lee lead them to Maryland and into the bloodiest battle of the Civil War, the battle of Antietam. Lee lost 31% of his troops and all the food that Maryland could have brought. The Union "win" at Antietam lead to the Emancipation Proclamation and the end of Lee's invasion of the north. It also is seen as one of the turning points in the Civil War. Without that letter, America could be in a very different place right now.

[@IvanLendl87]

While I despise the Disney trilogy (Episides 7-9) I absolutely love Rogue 1. I easily put it on the par with the Original Trilogy. I remember walking out of the theater in stunned amazement.

[@angeliabradley6506]

The only thing I like about the sequels is Kylo ren

[@tsu8003]

All of the other Disney Star Wars movies left me just thinking 'Oh was that it?' and had forgotten about them by the time I got home!

[@j0hn00]

I love how pointedly this movie avoids any outright romance. Baze and Chirrut have a pretty obvious romance, but it's only alluded to and never shown on screen. Jyn and Cassian have the perfect setup for a romance, but they hug at the end rather than kiss. It's like the romance is there and it is important, but it doesn't need to be directly said or shown. It feels more powerful this way. It's the classic "show instead of tell," but we don't always see it, much less see it done this effectively. Cassian could kiss Jyn at the end. Baze could say "I love you" to Chirrut at the end. But it's not needed, because the story shows it to us

[@samanthafox3124]

Wtf dude, it was brotherly love. Not romance🙄

[@JimJamTheAdmin]

@@thediaz07 why can't it be gay, exactly? Why do you have a problem with implied gay romances?

[@JimJamTheAdmin]

@@thediaz07 that doesn't answer the question, does it? Why isn't it possible, or acceptable, to read the relationship as gay. Keep up the insults, though.

[@JimJamTheAdmin]

@@thediaz07 care to point out any examples for why specifically it can't be read as gay? What exactly?

[@JimJamTheAdmin]

@UCfi4kZ_MhPdnMc5tuisowYw never said I did? I asked why it couldn't be read that way, since you are adamant it can't be.

[@vidaredland4808]

So, I totally misread the title as "A Flawless Masterpiece" for some reason, sniggered to myself and clicked the link to see what sort of madness this person was about. Now, you actually said "A Flawed Masterpieces", of course, and your video is 100% spot on and the best analysis of Rogue One I think I've seen. My apologies for being stupid and thank you for a great essay :) Rogue One is a perfect example of how films don't always need to be good to be great.

[@marcus_ohreallyus]

This is now my favorite Star Wars movie. The last act is one of my favorites of any movie I've seen in the last few years. And I agree that the main thing that's great about this movie was the ballsy choice to have the main characters sacrifice their lives. The movie had actual stakes, whether or not you knew it at the time it was playing out (until they all died).

[@love1513]

I swear, when you said that Cassian is getting his own show, I literally lost my breath 😂 my heart skipped a beat, I'm not kidding. I love Diego Luna and Rogue One is my fave Star Wars movie. I'm crying of happiness because them dying was the worst/most beautiful thing ever and I really wanted to see more of Cassian. 💖

[@Tensooni]

Been a while since I watched it so don't remember too many particulars. But I kind of enjoyed Jin's transformation. Wasn't one to write home about, but certainly not bad. That sudden transition felt like the beginning of her arc, not the end. It was the first part she was emotionally challenged, and it caused a shift. Her world changed from 'my parents died for nothing' to 'my parents are still fighting'. She chose to join them. The middle of her arc for me is her turning to the rebellion for help, watching that fail, and then going anyways. Watching random 'useless lifeforms' become her adopted family, and convincing them to join her. The finale and closure was sacrificing herself, and her 'adopted family', for the cause that was greater than herself... just like her mother did in saving her, and her father did in fighting the empire. Maybe was a bit sudden I guess, but I felt like I could empathise when I watched it. That's good enough for me.

[@Hoentje-wp8ph]

It's about legacy. "Planting a seed in a garden you will never see to grow"

[@quilespiritu]

I wrote some notes at the end of a song someone will sing for me

[@lavieja4673]

America, you great unfinished symphony, you sent for me

[@flynnstone3133]

You let me make a difference. A place where even orphan immigrants can leave their figure prints and RISE UP!

[@rorythewriter]

I'm running out of time, I'm running and my TIME'S UP!

[@ace_of_cakes]

Wise up. Eyes up.

[@MickeyLeeBukowski]

I've always felt the first half of this movie is a somewhat enjoyable mess but once they get to Scarif this is some of the best Star Wars ever put on screen. So it's my 4th favorite. Thanks for the video!

[@grahamcracking5056]

you just did a better job of deconstructing rogue one in 50 minutes than my media professor did in two weeks

[@barsona]

It's actually nice to have someone say that they went into this movie expecting people to survive. Since when I went to this, I was more like, let's see the disaster unfold.

[@ViperPilot16]

Out of all of the Disney Era Star Wars films Rouge One is my favorite. Donnie Yen, is just awesome. Oh and K2S0

[@retxeddavis4213]

I know, unlike a certain other (incredibly annoying ) robot from Solo, I'll really miss K250. As for that other robot. I think I whooped with joy when it was shot.

[@brainrich1358]

My favorite out of the Disney era of Star Wars. TFA was enjoyable, I skipped Solo and TLJ never happened.

[@TheTayloredMason]

This is legitimately one of the finest videos on Star Wars, and truly on story and its visual manifestations, that I think I have ever seen. Not only did you bring tears to my eyes (or rather, your describing this beautiful story), but you managed to dramatically improve my love of this movie. Thank you for this excellently put-together piece. Thank you for helping me appreciate Star Wars that much more.

[@beithrr]

duDE rogue 1 vader is far scarier and much more menacing than in any of the originals

[@vanshae8605]

we all know Luke defeated him, yet in all of the pre originals they tend to make him seem the legend/nightmare he was known to be

[@NotAnYoutubeChannel]

Yesss i though the same. Rougue one is the best

[@Gasssolo]

Jyn and Cassian's death scene is just such a masterpiece, truly one of the best moments of Star Wars. I actually thought the Vader scene was anticlimactic as I was still under the effect of their deaths.

[@thedocklighter]

Cassian held Jyn, realizing he found a reason beyond the Cause, a reason for all the sacrifices... ...and his eyes widened, now it was ending.

[@Otis-Spunks]

Some of my favorite stories are ones that show mortality in the most definite way. My favorite era of Star Wars has always been the Old Republic because it unlike most of the Lucas and Disney films actually show you the real story of war... loss. Rogue One is in my opinion the first Star Wars film to properly display war. I love grit, I love "down to earth" story telling, and I have always wanted that in Star Wars. This movie and now The Mandalorian... Its been awhile since I've been this happy to be a Star Wars fan.

[@YoungClarke]

We really need to start a GoFundMe to find out where Disney has locked away Gareth Edwards. I'm worried about him

[@evancombs5159]

My understanding is he didn't enjoy Hollywood so he went back to making indie films. Which is unfortunate because he would be my first choice to direct more Star Wars.

[@oliverhaake7552]

It definitly worked on me. Even when K2 "died", I already had tears in my eyes. And I am a die hard Star Wars fan since the early 1980s. After the credits were finished, I just sad in my seat and said thank you to Lucasfilm, to give me that specific emotion again after all those years. Just thank you...

[@usbmassstoragedevice]

Okay but I definitely came to this video for politics, thank you for the politics! When my brother and I saw Rogue One, this was our favourite thing, too - that it focused on the little people who build and sacrifice for a cause, because not everybody gets to be a Skywalker, but that doesn't mean they don't matter. Also we really loved that one part where Baze calls Jyn 'Little Sister'? It was this genuine Chinese/generally East Asian term of endearment that really made us tear up, haha.

[@Ladyknightthebrave]

Oh god I didn't have time to put all my favorite things from the movie in this video but Baze calling Jyn little sister makes me cry. I'm glad you liked the video!

[@jxcksDead]

I very much agree, I think the idea to make a star wars war film that focused on the little people, their strength and sacrafice that made the attack on the death star possible was brilliant. For me it ranks towards the top with empire, even if it was more for the potential than the actual execution. It was the last time I was emotionally invested in a star wars, and that says something

[@usbmassstoragedevice]

@@peterkrochmalni673 I guess it's a Chinese thing? I mean, totally fair if you still think it doesn't make sense, but by way of explanation: if you want to be both respectful and familiar with a stranger, you call them by the family designation that fits for their age and gender. Older men and women are generally called uncles and aunties. Working at a museum, I had Chinese customers I'd never met before address me as 'Little Sister', or instruct their children to address me as 'Big Sister' (which they probably wouldn't have done if I didn't also look Chinese). It doesn't translate super well, culturally or linguistically, but I suppose it's like calling someone 'dear' or 'sweetheart' (except its use is not as gendered).

[@helenl3193]

@@usbmassstoragedeviceit's also used in India, and as a (white British) child I was taught to address my parents' friends as auntie/uncle too. I don't know if there's any link there from the empire - maybe we took it from India, or introduced it..? - but, while I'm not familiar with it extending as far as siblings, I didn't find out hard to comprehend the sentiment being expressed. There's also the whole bro/bruh/sis thing in African-American, black British and Caribbean cultures, which could be related? I have 2 close black British friends of Caribbean heritage who have both referred to me as sister by another mister/mother at various points. We also have the terms of endearment 'blud' (like blood) and 'bredren' (from brethren) in the UK, meaning close friend/brother/blood brother. It's used (at least in London) by any/all races, but is usually between men. I think bredren originally comes from Jamaican Patois, but I don't know the origin of blud. Actually - one of my closest friend's Filipino mother called me her daughter's sister too, so maybe it's pretty widespread!

[@helenl3193]

Absolutely agree with you. I think they did a much better job of showing the normal people than in Force Awakens - because JJ can't resist the 'mystery box' thing with Rey's family, and Finn immediately being fine with killing everyone he's ever known when fighting against troopers, after HE has been our first humanised trooper - surely they're all just as unique and potentially able to change perspective/alliance as he was (?) but they completely ignored that naunce, unfortunately. I didn't know they were making a show around Cassian, that's amazing - hopefully they don't shy away from those grey areas and complexities and actually do him justice! 🤞🤞

[@phatmanoflove]

This is the 1st time I've ever watched a 51 minute dissertation on a film. Also, this is the 1st I've heard of Ladyknightthe brave. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I was engaged and interested throughout. There so many great points. Especially about fandom's weird hate of "The Last Jedi". I myself really liked Rogue One and Last Jedi. I thought this was an excellent critique of the film. Great Job!!

[@Drocksas]

So, in terms of those of us who grew up in the time of the prequels, I think it's fair to say we love PARTS of those films. Attack of the Clones gave us the single biggest group of Jedi in one glorious fight; Revenge of the Sith gave us the epic showdowns like Grievous and Obi-wan or the former replaced by Anakin; Phantom Menace gave us one of the single coolest final fights with easily one of the most iconic tracks. There was good, it was just enveloped with a lot of not-so-good. P.S. THANK YOU for the nod to the Road to El Dorado. I loved that movie growing up, and it still holds a special place in my heart!

[@NCC1371]

TheGospelgamer the prequels also didn’t go out of their way to crap on the originals like the disney trilogy has.

[@Mankorra_Gomorrah]

As someone who really loved Rogue One, i think that the focus on the characters misses the point slightly. This movie is a war movie with more in common to Saving Private Ryan than A New Hope. The characters don’t need a lot of development because they aren’t the point, their mission and the overall war is. We don’t need to know their favorite colors or childhood crushes, we just need to know the war their fighting, their mission, maybe how they feel about it, and then how they ultimately attempt to carry it all. I don’t think they died for shock value, it only feels like that because its a Disney movie where characters have more plot armor than Fort Knox. They die because they aren’t Heros, they’re soldiers in one of the largest conflicts the galaxy ever and in the grand scheme of things they’re expendable if it means making progress in the war effort.

[@bien.mp4]

I frickin love Rogue One but Let’s start a #ReleaseTheEdwardsCut movement!!

[@rossrreyes]

It’s definitely the most visually cinematic of all the movies

[@santoroshopper3]

I’ve found my people! I’m old. Mid 50’s. Star Wars has been in my life since I was 12. Rogue one is my favorite. Has the spirit of the rebels I was looking for. Answered a lot of questions and I wish they could’ve all lived. Jin Urso deserved to have a high ranking position in years to come.

[@RobertJW]

I love the Rogue One novelization for all the questions it answers!

[@all1lla197]

"...doing good, for it's own sake, can be an act of rebellion." Awesomely put. Thanks for saying it!

[@sydneymartinez9033]

The line "it's not a problem if you don't look up" was so perfectly timed in 2016. This movie IS political. Love this essay!!!

[@NoCluYT]

The trailer is one of the best in the whole of star wars. They showed enough to get you hooked, but left many surprises.(Vader, Tantive IV, etc.)

[@elipetrou9308]

I watched it so many times, it’s so good

[@wizzzer1337]

those are not tears, I'm just sweating from my eyes

[@fatcat1399]

My main memory of this movie is seeing in a huge theatre. It was only 2 days after Carrie Fisher had passed away, and so cried like a BABY at that “hope” moment at the end. I know she’s uncanny valleyish but seeing that face so soon after her actual passing hit so hard. Good movie, great video. 💜

[@Peacebunnie]

Same :'(

[@brunareivax3258]

The ending of this video actually made me cry. I forgot how much I liked this movie

[@blueskiesrivers]

It seemed to me Jyn's cause was her father, doing right by him.

[@RaikenXion]

I loved that, she kind of redeemed him. "My Stardust", love that line and the scene, made me think of my own estranged relationship with my real dad.

[@George_M_]

The reshoots gave us the Vader scene and everyone dying seperately for the mission, which felt more original. So I'm for them.

[@MsPatdfanatic]

Rogue One will always have a special place in my heart. It was my first Star Wars movie. I chose to watch it because I absolutely love Diego Luna. I asked if I had to know anything about Star Wars to see it and when I was told I didn't I went and saw it for my birthday. It was a beautiful clunky film that broke my heart. I rewatch it all the time and find new parts to love about it even with its issues.

[@zeta970]

I really like your take on this, romantic context actually adds lots to this movie. I watched it a second time after this video and enjoyed it much more

[@Archer-1453]

Friends of mine who like Star Wars gawk at me when I say Rogue One is my favourite. It's so fantastic. I think one if not the most important facets of Rogue One as it was released is it's abandonment of saving Protagnists. Obviously, Mon Mothma’s quote where she explicitly states the D.S. plans cost the rebellion many lives, including those who stole the plans. But all the same, everyone watching is torn between the victorious feeling that the Rebellion succeeded but the sadness of the protagonists not being rewarded, rather they were systematically slaughtered. This heavy bitter-sweetness is likely why Disney wanted to make the movie more ”fun”. I have a gut feeling some of the cut story had some of the main characters die sooner, included some more of Cassian being a die hard radical, and most importantly just how god awful the Empire was as a whole (as in, insert more scenes of Director Krennic and Tarkin). I love Rogue One because of that bittersweet sensation of it conclusion. *also Darth Vader Darth Vadering is easily in top 10 scenes in cinema so that helps*

[@JTPQuinn]

Anyone: What's so good about Rogue One? Me: The Empire cares not for your romantic beach scene.

[@exponent2316]

Anyone: What's so good about Rogue One? Me: Krennic's 3 lines of sarcasm at the very beginning of the film.

[@Jessystarzz]

Gosh, this was such a well constructed video! I honestly think you summed up my thoughts about this movie perfectly, I love it but I also have my problems with it and I totally see the lost potential. It's a beautiful film but there's a lot more they could have done with it. Loved that you also included the headcanon part!! Jyn is a cool character but I also filled many of the gaps in her character arc with my own headcanons. You're totally right about the fact that it feels unfinished. I think a character going from a loner criminal to a freedom fighter is a really neat idea but they didn't do exactly a great job with it. Your analysis on Cassian was great too, hadn't even thought about some of the things you mentioned. (Also love whenever people mention Cassian and Jyn. To me they always had such a great chemistry, and what's tragic about them is that they never really got to explore what they could have meant for each other. Really wish we could have seen more of them haha) After this I honestly think I need to read the novelization and some of the comics too, just to get everything that I can get out of these characters. Them and their realitionships really weren't as fleshed out as I hoped they would be. The ending is already really impacting but it could have been even more if we really got to *know* the characters. But great video nevertheless, I need to check out some of your other stuff too !

[@tnightwolf]

Rogue One is the only Disney Star Wars i like. And i would actually put it after the original trilogy.

[@nicolasdiaz5058]

I liked all Disney SW except for Solo, I mean, the new movies have a lot of mistakes but still don't break the deal for me but it is kinda disappointing still.. Are you liking The Mandalorian tho?

[@kubli365]

@@nicolasdiaz5058 I loved Solo. It was fun and they kept things simple avoiding some possible missteps and it wasn't as fan service-y as Rogue One. Just as an example, I thought the "always shoot first" featured in this video felt natural and part of the story unlike bumping into Dr. Evasan (the cantina guy) or the introduction of Bail Organa whose role in Rogue One didn't warrant his entrance. Taking the movie alone, it just seems confusing for the viewer, pausing the movie for 5 seconds to hold on him. "Who is that guy? He seems just as important as the other ministers, why are we stopping for him? He just says a few lines." Etc. etc.

[@badideabearcub2747]

TheSly442 You must be kidding if Solo is not anything but pure fan service: Let’s name the guy, let’s meet the Wookie, let’s do the famous race, let’s meet Lando.... For me it wasn’t organic at all, it felt very forced.

[@Cherrybomb69277]

Same. Rogue One and the Mandalorian are the best Disney Star Wars has had.

[@matthewknight5926]

I’d recommend looking into The Mandalorion on a free trial then

[@mattd5857]

Rogue One is far and away my favorite of the Disney Star Wars films. Mind you I have not seen Solo or episode 9. I think because it really focused on the part of Star Wars that really grabbed me, the war part of the star wars. Rogue One gave us a very real human look at the nobodies putting their lives on the line for the rebellion in the OT and it was great for that and I would love more movies in this vein. Also the nostalgia that really hit me was the opening of the space battle in the third act. When the rebel fleet jumps in and the fighter pilots start sounding off over the comms... oh man, for those few minutes in that theater I was 8 years old again watching the original trilogy on VHS over and over. It was absolutely magical and I would rate this movie higher for that alone.

[@evancombs5159]

As someone that hates nostalgia, that scene blew me away. Seeing Red Leader and Gold Leader on screen again just took the movie to another level. I've never seen such an effective use of nostalgia. I think it was how unexpected it was. For whatever reason I never expected to actually see them on screen. Then from there the battle scene backed up the nostalgia with substance. The last time I watched a movie that made me feel like that was when I saw the originals in theater for the first time in '97. It was, for lack of a better term, perfect.

[@doublecard]

Same... I didn't realize how much I *loved* starfighter pilots until we hit that final act, seeing all the space battles and fighter engagements happening. Hearing "all wings report in" made my inner nerd scream and dance. It also meant a great deal just to see female pilots, especially considering how much I heard "star wars is for boys" growing up. I didn't want to be princess Leia, I wanted to be a pilot, dammit! 😂 I'm working on a tribute video of all the pilots across all the eras... got one done, and am working on another. But Rogue One has a special place in my heart. And Blue Leader. Because he's on a suicidal mission and there he is, giggling in the cockpit. When he crashed, though 😢

[@yoshithebear7630]

@@davidberner8315 I hate TROS so much

[@donkeysaurusrex7881]

Solo’s okay, but it is more entertaining than good. 9 is garbage.

[@code051]

I absolutely loved this movie, especially the ending. It really affected me emotionally.

[@jumpingjjonah8088]

I liked the moment where Bodhi meets Saw, and the confusion and fear in Bodhi's face when Saw hits his ventilator. It was a nice insight into how afraid of Vader virtually every Imperial worker is.

[@tiebrute4688]

I cried for a lot of the Scarif ground and space battle because it really shows how out gunned and desperate the Rebellion was. That entire battle's reward for victory was a chance for an even bigger victory, and every soldier and pilot and everyone else who died did it just to buy their friends and allies more time

[@jetstreamjackie3437]

In 50 minutes you caused me to shift from being generally unsure about how I felt about rogue one to accepting that I can like it even if parts of it are lacking. You summarized exactly what bothered me about the movie and also exactly what I loved about it. It also helps that I was coerced into watching all the Star Wars movies with my friends this weekend and I need to find some way to justify not studying for so long, but still. Wonderful video essay!

[@Verithiell]

Just how much of a missed potential this movie is, I realizes after browsing through the artbook. But I love it. It gave me chills like no other movie in the last few years, managed to cpature everything I loved about Star Wars, and even those underdeveloped characters were so much more for me, considering some were inspired by the non canon expanded universe. I only wish it could be 10 hours long, and had infinite budget. That would be awesome. I am glad among all the characters, disney decided to give Cassian his own show. I am only afraid people will not appreciate it enough, and despite it being great, it may not last longer than one season. You know, after all I would not expect to see baby yoda. And we live in day and age where cringy, shallow stuff sells best.

[@evancombs5159]

I too wish for a longer version. I think all of the "issues" people have would have been fixed if they went for a LotR length instead of a Star Wars length. I think movie studios really underappreciated longer movies.

[@charlesajones77]

Other than The Mandalorian, this was the only really good thing to come out of Disney Star Wars.

[@a.peterrogers3488]

Perhaps. But Lucas, himself, has a checkered history. Episode IV: brilliant. Episode V: pretty good. Episode VI: fun. The downward spiral continued through the prequel episodes I, II, III. So I am not sure I agree that Disney "ruined" anything.

[@carterslade8771]

@@a.peterrogers3488 he didn't say Disney "ruined" anything, he just Wait, did you just call Empire Strikes Back "pretty good"?

[@ChrisPeteG]

@@a.peterrogers3488 The prequels only get stronger upon further stylistic, thematic, and structural analysis(Check Prequel Apologetics and other related videos, and check out things like Star Wars Ring Theory)....they hold up over time when you really start to understand what Lucas was going for, on a multitude of levels. They are not flawless masterpieces by any stretch....but when you consider that it was a vision, and Lucas had a clear 'take' and style on what he was doing...and he pulled off his complex 6 film cycle so well....it is easy to overlook ultimately trivial things like "Jar Jar has a few too many stupid gags" The Disney films, on the other hand, perhaps feel good, or meaningful, or powerful, or entertaining the first time around...but they don't hold up to any further analysis, criticism or dissection. The Trilogy downright cumbles under it....because there is no authorial intent or vision driving them to their ultimate form. It is all board-room discussions, focus groups, and committee. They are product, not films. And sadly, they don't function well as individual films, as a unit forming a trilogy, or as a continuation/conclusion to the 6 episodes that precede them.....and frankly, if they did even ONE of these things really well, most fans would be much more forgiving.

[@samg4337]

Clone Wars Season 7

[@galaxystudios370]

Phineas and Ferb Star Wars

[@almachizit3207]

Trust me, no one thinks episode 2 is the best. Episode 3 however, that's a film with reasons to like it

[@houseofmartok4518]

Alma Chizit - The only thing I liked about ROtS was seeing that fateful lightsaber duel between Anikin & Obi-wan. And even that went over the top with all the hopping from floating debris to floating debris on a sea of lava. The rest of ROtS (& indeed the whole prequel trilogy) was a mix of cringe & meh. All the Jedi fights (including Yoda vs Palpetine) went way over the top with acrobatics, in my opinion. It made the fights less believable.

[@lizd.2343]

I love good movie essays. They make me realize how much goes in to movies more than just what we see.

[@LadyRaeona]

I have nothing but respect for someone who posts a video sharing the name of their AO3 account.

[@raymccrory6493]

Hi there. Just randomly came across this video essay. Got sucked in with your writing voice, and I am so grateful that I stuck around for the whole event. You are a real voice that needs to be heard. Keep doing whatever you’re doing, because you matter. You make a difference in a world where people are still trying to figure out how to find their own voice. You inspire by simply following through. And you are touching lives you’ll never know-not necessarily with your point of view (which, even though I mostly completely agree with, is just as valid as someone’s view dialectically opposite to yours [ours])-but rather, because you found a way to share that point of view with the world. Respectfully. Unashamedly. Boldly. Honestly. You did something. You didn’t just talk about doing something. For that, you’re my hero of the day! I’m a grateful new subscriber and I’m looking forward to seeing what else you have to offer! Well done.

[@sketchboy01]

This was really well constructed and articulated well-- especially the bit about a movie you like vs. a "good" one. I loved this addition to the universe and even just the music gets me every time.

[@MrLarsenDK]

Considder this: Jar Jar Abrams had complete freedom in that there was No story arter ROTJ... Well sorta. This movie had locked storyarcs before AND arfter... And still, it has a better storyarc and caracters than both eps. 7, 8 and 9. Imho. Btw I feel the same way when wathcing the old movies, having read All those books... The universe just grows and grows. But according to Disney, they're No longer Canon.

[@MrPF]

Well he made a trilogy of movies by making shit up as he goes

[@RaikenXion]

Thats what happens when you come up with shit as you go along, and keep cherry-picking little things you read up on (The Emperor cloned himself in Dark Empire Comic EU), or that the previous creator had envisioned (Luke Skywalker in exile on ancient first Jedi Temple in his Lucas' Sequel Trilogy Treatments).

[@hassathunter2464]

@@RaikenXion It is IRONIC how many people defended Disney's decanonisation with "Lol, did you read the EU? They revived the Emperor as clones! That's stupid" and we would all agree, yeah, that was bad... AND THEN DISNEY DID EXACTLY THAT.

[@thorthewolf8801]

I mean, its easier to come up with something when you have some restraints. I know this sounds contradictory, but its true

[@RoamingAdhocrat]

This is such a great video. RIP Bodi, and f's in chat for Bodi's character's lost potential.

[@Dorian_sapiens]

F

[@DanceManAlex]

I never caught that line or that look he give and how much weight it had. Damn

[@KillianoC]

Great actor, even a few extra lines could have expanded his character a lot

[@WishfulWonder]

F

[@skyewalker5176]

Me: this analysis cannot get any better The Lady: quotes Emily's Thr Odyssey opening Me: I'm in love?!?!