We’re introduced to Jyn Erso as a child, hidden away and discovered later in a secret cave after an Empire authority forces her father, Galen Erso (Mads Mikkelson), to help construct the Death Star due to his background as a research scientist. Unfortunately, for the film, the story it tells before finally climaxing in a big “Star Wars” fest of space battles and gunfire, isn’t very worthy. When the film reveals itself to essentially be the causal catalyst for the original trilogy, it abandons the opportunity to express something new.

There are also no Jedis in sight, which provides unique direction for a Star Wars story that doesn’t have to focus on Light and Dark sides, lightsabers, the Force, or large robes. A cast which provides a great sense of diversity, including actors such as Diego Luna, Ben Mendehlson, Mads Mikkelson, Donnie Yen, and Alan Tudyk to name a few. It struggles to balance any sense of original storytelling with fan service of familiarized Star Wars elements.

Perhaps the biggest flaw of Rogue One lies in its plot description. This one is about Rogue One, a group of flawed resistance fighters led by Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones), on a mission to steal back schematics integral to the development and construction of the all-too-well-known Death Star for the rebel alliance. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, directed by Gareth Edwards, is the first motion picture entry of the franchise’s new line of spin-offs, which have the opportunity to tell their own unique, self-contained stories. There’s so much potential in the expanded universe of “Star Wars” for original, thought-provoking movies that aren’t tethered to the over-arching Skywalker saga or numbered episode entries.

Cast of star wars a rogue one