Page 6 December 22, 2016 EL SEGUNDO HERALD Entertainment Check It Out Film Review Action-Packed Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Could’ve Gone a Little More Rogue By Ryan Rojas for www.cinemacy.com It’s a risky – and dare it be said, roguish – move, to release a stand-alone Star Wars movie outside of the classic saga series that fans know and love so well. Riskier still would be hiring a director with only three feature films to his name (including just one blockbuster) to pilot and land that Millennium Falcon-sized ship. But now, playing in theaters everywhere, is Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, directed by Gareth Edwards (Godzilla). Following the efforts of a rag-tag team of Resistance fighters to steal secrets from the mighty Empire, Edwards successfully steps into the world that George Lucas created and assembles an action-packed and entertaining, if not conforming, addition to the Star Wars universe that gets a passing grade. Although Rogue One, which qualifies its title with A Star Wars Story, is the first companion movie to be released outside of the Star Wars saga, it still tangentially ties into the series, taking place directly before the events of the movie that started them all, Episode IV: A New Hope, which ended with Luke Skywalker destroying the Death Star by way of blasting into a critically-exposed opening. Rogue One explains the origin of how Skywalker and his Rebel alliance friends received the Death Star’s blueprints in the first place, as we follow a new cast of characters – who are certainly the most diversely-cast of any Star Wars film – as the unsung rebel heroes who infiltrate and retrieve the plans from right under the Empire’s nose. Here then is a different kind of warring that takes place between good and evil, where boots-on-the-ground combat and aerial dogfights put more emphasis on the “war” in the franchise’s name. Rogue One may open with its infamous “Long Time Ago” title card, but the absence of the traditional serial title crawl doesn’t give us any precursory backstory into where we’ve just been or where we’re headed next. After an opening that sees the kidnapping of scientist Galen Erso (Mads Mikkelsen) by the highranking Orson Krennic (Ben Mendelsohn) and a crew of Deathtroopers for the purpose of building a secret weapon for the Empire (it’s no moon…), we flash-forward to some years later where Galen’s orphaned daughter (a trait that links many Star Wars characters), Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones), has grown up to live the life of a criminal and thief. That is until the Rebel alliance, led by the dashing leader Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) and his wise-cracking maintenance droid sidekick K-2SO (Alan Tudyk), rescue Jyn so that she can help locate legendary Rebel fighter Saw Gerrera (Forest Whitaker) as well as her father--who, as the leading architect of the weapon that’s rumored to be the most destructive weapon in existence (the Death Star), can offer further intel. Together, with a group of rebels including Imperial defector Bodhi Rook (Riz Ahmed), Force-channeling Chirrut Îmwe (Donnie Yen), and blasterblazing Baze Malbus (Wen Jiang), the group formulate a plan to find Galen and steal Felicity Jones and Diego Luna in Rogue One. Courtesy of Lucasfilm. happy holidays FROM Burkley & Brandlin LLP A T T O R N E Y S A T L AW 310-540-6000 from MORTUARY “Our Family Serving Yours Since 1954” Star Wars Jedi Academy By Jeffery Brown and Space Dumplins By Craig Thompson Reviewed by Katrena Woodson, Teen and Young Reader Librarian, El Segundo Public Library This week, I am going to review two graphic novels that are prefect for adventure lovers and sci-fi fans. The first is by New York Times-bestselling author Jeffery Brown, whose graphic novel Star Wars Jedi Academy has been an instant classic with readers. It is an extremely popular series with children in grades three through six. This book stands out as an entertaining and unique take on a series that has been captivating audiences for decades. Brown does not simply regurgitate Star Wars details, but instead gives us a brand-new look into that universe through the eyes of a kid. Thanks to this book, readers can get a real feel for what life as a child in the Star Wars universe might be like. The story is told through the main character Roan’s journal entries and comics as well as a variety of primary sources such as letters, school flyers, classroom assignments and even newspaper articles. This book has an out-of-this world story that is well-written and presented in a heavily illustrated, fun format. Additionally with the recent release of another major Hollywood film, it is safe to say that the Star Wars universe will continue to captivate children--and this series is the perfect direction to point any young readers who are hungry for more Star Wars. Next up is Craig Thompson’s Space Dumplins, which is meant for an eight- to 12-year-old audience. Even though this is his first graphic novel for children, you might recognize Thompson’s name from his previous award-winning adult graphic novels including Blankets and Habibi. Space Dumplins is a gorgeously illustrated 300-plus-page space epic in which humans and aliens comingle. Thompson’s story touches on some heavy real-world problems, including social class disparity that separates friends and blocks opportunities. The author lightens the mood significantly with silly detail such as spaceships shaped like hamburgers and lobsters. Furthermore, Thompson ensures the book is loaded with toilet humor by making whale dung the economic driver of his story. It is We wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season. Herald Publications Holiday Schedule Our offices will be closed the following days for the holidays. Friday, December 23 | Monday, December 26 | Friday, December 30 See Film Review, page 14 Star Wars Jedi Academy by Jeffery Brown. Space Dumplins by Craig Thompson. Katrena Woodson. See Check It Out, page 14
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