It's no question that "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" was a blockbuster film. The whole movie did not disappoint the fans but it seems like the stand alone movie titled "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is more promising based on what is shown in its two-minute trailers.
The "Star Wars" franchises have been banking on the feeling of nostalgia to draw fans back to the big screen. The concept of the first trilogy may not be entirely original and it's debatable to be called the best, but every sci-fi lover would agree that it's iconic. However, "Rogue One" presents a different story.
The movie "Rogue One" packed a richer feel of nostalgia in the teasers more than the whole movie of "The Force Awakens." "The Force Awakens" may have attempted to bring back the 80s technology feel yet modernized it. Of course, there was Leia, Hans Solo, Chewbacca, the Millennium Falcon, R2D2, C3PO and Luke.
"Rogue One" retained more of the 80s theme; the worn out colors and chipped paints, a toned down palette and rusty metals. It resembles the original trilogy more. Not to mention there's Yavin 4, Mon Mothma, AT-ATs, the Death Star and Darth Vader himself.
Darth Vader's name has been synonymous to the title of being the ultimate villain and he'll take part on "Rogue One" as well. Fans have missed him since he had such a short exposure in the prequel trilogy and it was just practically his burned helmet on " The Force Awakens."
Kylo Ren was a great villain. But his obsession to become like his grandfather, Darth Vader just shows how more sinister the perpetually breathless Sith Lord is. His mere presence emits fear, which "The Force Awaken's" Kylo Ren couldn't match. It is a mystery if Kylo Ren will be in the stand alone film but Darth Vader is certainly back on "Rogue One."
"Rogue One" puts the "War" in "Star Wars" as reporter Michael Roffman of CoS described. The whole "Star Wars" filmography had battles and orchestrated chaos but by the looks of it, the warfare in "Rogue One" will be more brutal. The rebels are nothing but normal non-light saber yielding people against The Galactic Empire.
This will be the first film to have non-light saber yielding humans on the battlefield. There is a noticeable absence of the Jedi in "Rogue One." The rebellion is relying purely on human strength to defeat the Galactic Empire.
Fans have seen the wickedness of The Galactic Empire in the other seven movies. They were introduced to fans by obliterating Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru in "Star Wars: A New Hope." Kylo Ren opened up "The Force Awakens" with a massacre. However, it seems like in "Rogue One" fans will have the front row seat of raw evil in action.
"Rogue One" is the first stand alone film from the "Star Wars'" expanded universe. A universe that fans who have explored beyond the seven Star Wars film will greatly appreciate.
All these comparisons came from just a few two-minute trailers. Fans will expect more as soon as "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" hits theaters December 16 2016.