In general, it’s a good idea to ignore advice that begins: ‘I don’t usually like (blank), but this is pretty good.’ So, as a grizzled STAR WARS agnostic on everything after the first two films (IV and V to true believers), take this recommendation with a grain of salt. But this troubled prequel to the old original (mostly to A NEW HOPE) really knows what it’s about. ‘Troubled’ because there was a lot of rewriting and reshoots under director Gareth Edwards when Tony Gilroy was brought in to ‘improve’ Chris Weitz’s script.* Hard to know who’s responsible for what, but the opening, using A NEW HOPE as structural template, nicely sets things up, with new, excellent characters for its all-star cast. (Internationally flavored for maximum box-office.) Hell, they even come up with some truly funny comeback lines for the latest robotic assistant. With more model work than you expect these days (not always happy next to the CGI stuff), but also a disagreeably drab palette. As if the new 'serious' STAR WARS æsthetic had outgrown the brassy colors and shiny surfaces of yore. Pity. The story not always as clear as the old films either, something about internecine disputes among rebel groups forced to work as one when those real baddies start building a death star. (The later led by Peter Cushing who died in 1996!) Exploding ordnance galore for a finale, but other than a blind samurai fighter not enough characters to invest in emotionally. Still, faults and all, this truly feels like a STAR WARS film. No small achievement.
ATTENTION MUST BE PAID: *Tony Gilroy now show runner on ANDOR, a 12-part prequel to this prequel. Not seen here, but very highly rated, with season 2 coming up.
DB/LINK: The original and one of those lousy follow-ups. https://maksquibs.blogspot.com/2012/12/star-wars-1977.html https://maksquibs.blogspot.com/2008/06/star-wars-revenge-of-sith-2004.html
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