Small, so to speak, spoiler-free analysis of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

It's now clear that in recent times the film market is constantly dotted (or afflicted) with phenomena of reboots, remakes, sequels, and spin-offs, influenced, for better or worse, by the advent of streaming services à la Netflix that make them a winning marketing move.
So the average cinephile who goes to the theater often wonders a very common question: "But was it really necessary?"
The answer is, of course, "it depends." On what? On the success of the product itself.
The beauty of Cinema lies in the power to make every story, every idea, real and tangible, but it's the HOW that makes the difference. And this Rogue One was a positive surprise from that perspective.
We all know the "how" Lucas, and later Disney, got us accustomed to the approach towards Star Wars. Garreth Edwars decided to insert his "how" into this universe. This young filmmaker, with two films under his belt, is proving to be a promising figure in the future of science fiction cinema, along with Blomkamp and Adams. But unlike the latter (director of Episode VII), perhaps trapped in a cruel restrictive production mechanism, he managed to be almost completely free in expressing his talents, primarily in staging.
An incredible, desaturated photography, contrasting with the bright colors of the main saga. A darker, yet at the same time intimate atmosphere. Edwars captures each shot with a fresh approach: if Star Wars has always been dominated by very wide shots and medium shots, here the camera lowers and gets closer to the characters' faces, enhancing and highlighting them. Of course, magnificent landscapes continue to characterize the photography, elevated by great depth of field and breathtaking special effects. The editing is also different, very rhythmic, yet giving the viewer the space to enjoy each frame that, in some cases, reaches heights of aesthetic and visual power I never expected.
Even from a narrative point of view, innovations abound: the protagonists are the outcasts, those who are fleeing, the partisans and not the Chosen Ones. The story tells the tales of the underdogs and the martyrs, in an environment of political and social dictatorship, where the climate of obscurantism and lust for power reign supreme. And from these shadows, hope for a Rebellion emerges, which is not suicidal, but reasoned and cautious, very realistic. Not only that, the writing of this film seamlessly fits into the narrative context, succeeding even in resolving some naïvetés that we "love" so much about the saga.
What I ultimately appreciated about the film is its independence. It's the director who takes the film by the hand, not the other way around. It's not just a great film (in my opinion the best) film about Star Wars, but it's above all an excellent science fiction movie that winks at the most attentive fan, yet at the same time offers a great level of entertainment and a bit of added depth that is always welcome.
So run to the cinema, fill the theaters, and keep an eye on this guy who might offer us many beautiful things in the future.

P.S. I refer to the review by the good joe strummer, a more experienced and capable reviewer than me, who offers a diametrically opposite, yet very interesting and timely perspective.

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By joe strummer

 Rogue One is outrageously linear, flat, lacking depth in both characters and dynamics.

 It is the result of meticulous polishing work of a purely mercantile mold.