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A review by careydnelson
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story by Alexander Freed
3.0
I had two reasons to partake of my second novelization:
1. Alexander Freed has an intriguing looking book coming out this summer (Alphabet Squadron), and I wanted some sort of assurance it will be good.
2. If you search your feelings you know it to be true that Rogue One is in the top three best Star Wars movies ever (Empire is #1--this is incontestable truth).
My difficulty in reviewing novelizations stems from my desire to want them to stand on their own. Therefore I'm not an objective critic because I have seen the movie. . . I bet it would be fine though. Yeah, it'd be great, and if it's not, someone tell me.
But really, the bones of the movie are good; it's up to Mr. Freed to mess them up. Most of the time he is more than up to the task, but there areone or two niggles that prevented me from awarding a full five stars.
1. There are some wordy affectations here.
2. I loved what was added for the characters. The voice throughout the book switches perspectives among characters. Bodhi Rook, Orson Krennic, and to a lesser extent Baze Malbus are given plenty of time to allow us to get to know them and their struggles more than in the movie. However, while this is an ensemble piece, I wanted much more from the two leads, Jyn Erso and Cassian Andor. We are given some new tidbits about Jyn's life with Saw Gerrera. Really, that is all that is new for Jyn. If you are a Cassian fan though there is nothing here for you. Just watch the movie again. Oh, Cassian. I wanted more for you! I wanted more dialogue to imagine in that beautiful, beautiful accent! I wanted to know about how you lived the rebellion since you were six years old! I wanted -
Ahem. Excuse me.
Rogue One is an excellent ensemble Star Wars adventure chronicling a pivotal moment that leads directly into the events of the first Star Wars movie, Episode IV: A New Hope (previously known simply as "Star Wars" when it was released in 1977). There are no lightsabers here, but
"I am one with the Force and the Force is with me.
I am one with the Force and the Force is with me.
I am one with the Force and the Force is with me."
And the robot will make you laugh.
P.S. R2-D2 > K-2SO > Any other droid, it doesn't matter.
1. Alexander Freed has an intriguing looking book coming out this summer (Alphabet Squadron), and I wanted some sort of assurance it will be good.
2. If you search your feelings you know it to be true that Rogue One is in the top three best Star Wars movies ever (Empire is #1--this is incontestable truth).
My difficulty in reviewing novelizations stems from my desire to want them to stand on their own. Therefore I'm not an objective critic because I have seen the movie. . . I bet it would be fine though. Yeah, it'd be great, and if it's not, someone tell me.
But really, the bones of the movie are good; it's up to Mr. Freed to mess them up. Most of the time he is more than up to the task, but there are
1. There are some wordy affectations here.
"In her dream Jyn was five. Maybe she was four. Maybe she was six. . . "This is the only one that comes to mind now, but my reaction throughout was to assume the author was trying too hard to writ gud. Writing is hard, but relax a bit, Buddy. You're doing fine.
2. I loved what was added for the characters. The voice throughout the book switches perspectives among characters. Bodhi Rook, Orson Krennic, and to a lesser extent Baze Malbus are given plenty of time to allow us to get to know them and their struggles more than in the movie. However, while this is an ensemble piece, I wanted much more from the two leads, Jyn Erso and Cassian Andor. We are given some new tidbits about Jyn's life with Saw Gerrera. Really, that is all that is new for Jyn. If you are a Cassian fan though there is nothing here for you. Just watch the movie again. Oh, Cassian. I wanted more for you! I wanted more dialogue to imagine in that beautiful, beautiful accent! I wanted to know about how you lived the rebellion since you were six years old! I wanted -
Ahem. Excuse me.
Rogue One is an excellent ensemble Star Wars adventure chronicling a pivotal moment that leads directly into the events of the first Star Wars movie, Episode IV: A New Hope (previously known simply as "Star Wars" when it was released in 1977). There are no lightsabers here, but
"I am one with the Force and the Force is with me.
I am one with the Force and the Force is with me.
I am one with the Force and the Force is with me."
And the robot will make you laugh.
P.S. R2-D2 > K-2SO > Any other droid, it doesn't matter.