Last updated December 21, 2017 at 4:22 pm
Update: This piece was first published in 2016 ahead of the release of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Having (predictably) booked midnight screening tickets of Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Casey invites you to join her on a trip down memory lane.
Here we are again – its Star Wars season, and yes I do have midnight screening tickets for Rogue One. This time around Kylo Ren isn’t even a twinkle in a certain scoundrel’s eye as we’re rocketing back along the timeline to find out just how the plans for the Death Star were stolen so that Luke Skywalker could blast it to smithereens. And I am PUMPED!
But the big question around here is – what can we expect as far as science goes for this outing? Well, heaps, but there are a couple of things I will be specifically watching out for.
First of all, a better look at the first Death Star. There are already heaps of stats out there about the moon-sized mega-weapon, and of course we’ve already seen inside it. But there are a couple of ways I think we’ll be getting a clearer view of the science and engineering that’s going on.
Firstly, by spending more time with characters on the Death Star we’ll be able to look out for those little details. Maybe we’ll see more control panels – will they look the same, with physical buttons, or will they have moved to touch screens? Or maybe we’ll get a better view of TIE fighters coming and going – I’ve always wondered about their flight control centre.
As our heroes are spies, hopefully they’ll be getting into all the little nooks and crannies so we can really see what makes it tick. then when they do steal the plans, we might get a sneak peek at the schematics and engineering that make things go bang.
Let’s go straight to trailer two, where we get a few shots of Orson Krennic and Darth Vader presumably on the Death Star
Secondly, say hello to Kaytoo!! What would a Star Wars movie be without an awesome droid sidekick, and K-2SO came to slay. He’s an imposing looking robot who started his life as an imperial droid, but was reprogrammed by the rebel alliance to help them out.
He’s an all-new design for this movie, and his movements have that human-esque charm as he’s a motion capture creation. It’ll also be cool to see how his personality shines through –again, what would a Star Wars movie be without an opinionated driod?!As artificial intelligence creeps even further into our lives we’re going to have to decide how much personality we’re willing to tolerate. Hell, even Siri’s level of sass is kind-of divisive.
With all the back and forth in time within the Star Wars universe, I love seeing how the technology evolves. I’m not the first to draw a direct line from R2D2 straight to BB8. So check out the final trailer, where the highlight is Kaytoo’s comic timing and Marvin the Paranoid Android level dryness.
Just for fun, here’s the best trailer of the bunch. Seriously, writing this article has made my countdown fever even stronger!
Also, if you’re not already excited to see Ip Man use the Force . . . prepare to be excited to see Ip Man use the Force. Donnie Yen is in Star Wars!
See you at the midnight screening!
Updated from the morning after:
It’s so gooooood!!! I literally kicked my legs from excitement at the end! I don’t want to go in to any detail, because it’s so much more fun that way, but here are a couple of updates on my sort-of predictions.
First, the Death Star. So I got a fair bit wrong about exactly how and when we saw it, but what I will say is that the world-building in this movie is outstanding. The sets are so tactile, and they feel fresh without losing any of the practical charm of the originals.
And OMG you guys, Kaytoo is sass level 100!! He is SO Marvin the Paranoid Android, you just have to think the writers were directly influenced by Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. 10 out of 10, would march into battle with.
I hope you see Rogue One and love it as much as I did – I’m already figuring out when to watch it again.
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