Yes, it’s grid is predictable: in its beginning is its end. But, and this is the strength of the film, it moves past a leaden start, revs it up, and becomes quite entertaining as it goes along.

This is our generation’s Star Wars story. Go own it…

Rogue One serves as a political allegory and is significant in our contemporary times. The world is polarised between left and right-thinking factions — not merely the powers that be, but the ordinary public refuses, or at least finds it difficult to traverse a middle path as well. Social media is flooded with opinions on every issue, and an apolitical approach is anathema.

Certainly, Rogue One touches on the pleasure points fostering the cult of Star Wars but sparingly and smartly never forgetting its ancillary role in the saga. It’s a win-win situation that allows Edwards to both create independently as well as connect to the classic without appearing contrived. 

The massive ‘Star Wars’ universe has enough on and off-screen content for fans to chew on, so this prequel/ sequel feels unnecessary at first. Sitting between the 3rd and 4th titles of the series, ‘Rogue One’ manages to undo some of the glaring issues of episodes I to III, while building even more intrigue for the original trilogy IV, V & VI. In fact, it is now a great starting point for someone new to this franchise. To quote one of the familiar lines from this space opera – “the Force is strong with this one”!

Despite rave reviews, it’s not a film that blows us away or bamboozles us with spectacle. Maybe Episode VIII will be better?

The greatest villain of American cinema of all time has all but three minutes in Rogue One but he, obviously, steals all of them. If you are a Star Wars fan, you might get an orgasm seeing Vader do his thing in the last three minutes of Rogue One. If you are not, be prepared to join the Dark side.

Beware that this is no children’s film. This is Star Wars for adults. Well-loved characters die, the violence is gory by and large and the atmosphere is more on the lines of the French Resistance during World War II than the light-hearted thrillers that George Lucas films were.  It’s full of Easter Eggs for fans to explore over many viewings and that perhaps is its sole weakness. Don’t go to the movie with a friend who hasn’t seen any of the films as you’d only be explaining things to him/her…

…this is a satisfactory outing and will keep the appetite of the fans whetted for the next in line.

If you are a Star Wars fan, you should be ashamed to read this and watch the movie already. For the ones who are still skeptical, this story about the galaxy far far away was waiting to be told and it could not have done better than this. Go forth and immerse yourself in this exciting adventure. May the force be with you!

Rogue One is certainly a proud entry to the much loved franchise, but it is certainly no Empire Strikes Back that it so want to be in the revived canon. The serious tone that embalms the entire movie feels a bit jarring when compared to the family-friendly franchise. However, the movie boasts of some terrific visuals, an action-packed third act and Darth Vader at his menacing best even in that small role. An engaging one-time watch, for sure!

The first Star Wars spinoff is an underwritten, unexciting plod through space…

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story sets the benchmark of how a good standalone film can be made without ruining a tight story with unnecessary sequels; compact, forceful, well-intentioned and hugely entertaining, the film is a story for the ages.

With little new material to explore after eight films, the journey to the end point has become less and less interesting.

“It’s the one film that you know it’s gonna make its money back,” Edwards said in an interview. Well, there’s no doubt about that – The Force Awakens may have reanimated the franchise, but Rogue One is the rebel that will give Star Wars fans a new hope.

After all, “rebellions are built on hope”, and Rogue One is as rebellious as it gets.

Star Wars fans simply dare not miss it, but for the rest, Rogue One is a generic Sci-Fi thriller which doesn’t justify the hype that has been surrounding it these past few weeks.