'Rogue One' trailer proves that 'Star Wars' is back

Posted Thursday, April 7, 2016 at 9:40 AM Central
Last updated Thursday, April 7, 2016 at 9:41 AM Central

by John Couture

I get it. Some people actually argued that The Force Awakens' record-breaking box office performance (currently at $935 million) was a fluke. They argued that it was only due to fanboy anticipation or the involvement of the ultimate fanboy J.J. Abrams.

The Force Awakens couldn't possibly live up to the hype. Its enjoyment will get tarnished as time goes by, much like the prequels. Disney can't keep it up. They will dilute the franchise with their plan to release anthology films in the off years between main franchise films.

And on and on.

Well, this morning we got the first look at the first anthology film and I'm happy to report that the haters are going to be disappointed again. The best thing that The Force Awakens did was to restore the franchise back to its roots. It FELT like a Star Wars film and so does Rogue One.

I love seeing Felicity Jones in this role that allows her to stretch her legs a bit. Jyn Erso is an immediate bad ass and the Star Wars universe could use more of her and less of melancholy farm boys.

For those of you looking for nostalgia, oh hey, there's Mon Mothma and is that Grand Moff Tarkin? There are AT-ATs, stormtroopers, and a newly minted Death Star, oh my! There's also plenty of new things to overanalyze and ponder until Rogue One starts unspooling at your local cinema on December 16.

What do you think?