“A long time ago in a galaxy far far away”. These few words seem to unite generations, and makes Rogue One a great movie to see with anyone. Directed by Gareth Edwards,, Rogue One fills a notable chink in the backstory of the space opera that set the world on fire back in 1977. Most of us remember the climactic scene where Luke Skywalker pilots his X-wing fighter to target a key weakness in the Empire's genocidal weapon, the Death Star. But how did the Rebel Alliance get those handy blueprints? Rogue one tells this story.

   Without spoiling the whole movie, it begins with a former scientist, Galen Erso, who lives on a farm with his wife and young daughter Jyn. They live a mostly peaceful life, but it is all taken away when the empire takes him away to build the Death Star. The movie follows his daughter on her joining to the eventual destruction of the Death Star, and its final symbolic destruction.

   And, yes, you are probably wondering if this is a stand-alone adventure, set between episodes III and IV of the saga? It is, and probably a way to make more profits; though it is still very good.

   This is a solid adventure film with very effective land and space battles. Though it still has a little bit of comedy. What humor there is is nowhere near as broad as bringing in Jar-Jar Binks or pod races was in previous films. By the end of the film we see this story is an attachment to the original series that clicks smartly into place. Fans of the Star Wars films, and people who are watching their first star wars movie, will all enjoy the story and the excitement it brings.

I rate Rogue One a 7/10 stars.