Rogue Rebels And The Heavy Breather

“Be careful not to choke on your aspirations, Director.” ~ Darth Vader

“The power that we are dealing with here is immeasurable.” ~ Orson Krennic

“The captain says you’re a friend. I will not kill you.” ~ K-2SO

“Our rebellion is all that remains to push back the Empire. We think you may be able to help us.” ~ Mon Mothma

“They call it the Death Star. There’s no better name. And the day’s coming soon, when it will be unleashed.” ~ Galen Erso

“Take hold of this moment. The Force is strong.” ~ Chirrut Imwe

“I’ve been recruiting for the rebellion for a long time.” ~ Cassian Andor

“The world is coming undone. Imperial flags reign across the galaxy.” ~ Saw Gerrera

 “We have hope. Rebellions are built on hope!” ~ Jyn Erso

When the Disney studios got their hands on Lucasfilm and the Star Wars franchise, the decision was made not only to continue to make more films, hence the release a year ago of The Force Awakens, but also some tie-in self contained stories set in that universe, basically an anthology of tales firmly set in the galaxy of Imperial forces and courageous rebels. Rogue One is the first of those stories, set shortly before the events of the 1977 original film, featuring a small band of rebels racing to retrieve the plans for the Empire’s ultimate weapon.

As a prelude, scientist Galen Erso (Mads Mikkelsen) is taken by force from his family by Orson Krennic (Ben Mendelsohn), an Imperial weapons designer who wants him to return to work on a secret project. His wife is killed during the raid, and their daughter Jyn is taken to safety by a rebel, Saw Gerrera (Forest Whitaker). Years later, Jyn (Felicity Jones) is freed from Imperial captivity by rebels and brought in on a mission after word has been smuggled out from her father on what the Empire has in store. The small band of misfits now find themselves racing to thwart a doomsday weapon most film audiences are quite familiar with: the Death Star.

The concept for this goes back long before the Disney-Lucasfilm deal, this notion of telling self contained stories firmly within the universe as established by George Lucas. John Knoll, a visual effects supervisor for the prequel trilogy, was pitching the idea for some time, and did so again after the deal. The studio decided to go ahead with the idea of these self contained tales, alongside the new trilogy being unfolded at present. Knoll and writer Gary Whitta had a hand in the story process at one point or another, with the screenplay being finished and polished by Tony Gilroy and Chris Weitz. The story is at heart a dark one, a war epic with a very clear line between good and evil. Beyond that, the story mixes in dark humour (particularly from the resident droid), and a sense of impending tragedy- we know things can’t end well for these people. While a good number of the characters are new, some familiar faces appear- Mon Mothma and Bail Organa have both appeared previously in Star Wars lore, and their appearances here are welcome.

Gareth Edwards was brought in as director, which was a good touch. He had recently done the Godzilla reboot in 2014, and his style for an epic, sprawling action tale transfers well over here- with more looks at what we’re seeing, as opposed to the glances and cutaways and darkly lit set pieces of a good part of that film. The production style he employed in filming this rings true to the style of the original Star Wars- the sets, costumes, props, and visual effects don’t seem out of place with that film, given that this movie so closely leads into that one. There are some visual surprises along the way- body doubles mixed with digital effects bring in the late Peter Cushing’s Tarkin as well as a young Carrie Fisher as Leia, and that comes across seamlessly. And in keeping with Star Wars tradition, the visual effects are part of introducing us to strange new worlds, as well as some familiar ones- filming in the Maldives, for example, gave us a watery atoll setting that’s strangely beautiful, before things go terribly wrong, and perhaps evoke thoughts of the Second World War in the Pacific theatre.

Edwards keeps the movie flowing, never slowing down, but steadily driving up tension as he goes along. There’s an underlying sense of dread and urgency as things go along, and the director’s visual style plays to that. He films battle sequences- on planets and in the stars- with a ferocious intensity fitting the genre- this feels like a war film. The movie also marks the first time that a Star Wars film does not have the musical work of John Williams. Michael Giacchino, who’s been doing a whole lot of work in recent years, including the Star Trek films, comes on board as composer, giving a darkly moody score that does incorporate Williams’ themes here and there as needed.

The cast is international in scope, and that plays off well. Ben Mendelsohn is the primary villain of the piece, Orson Krennic, an ambitious, contemptuous, and ruthless Imperial officer and designer of weapons for the Empire. The Australian character actor has been in a lot of roles down through the years- the first time I ever saw him in anything was as a laid back mountain climber in Vertical Limit, but others might remember him as Bane’s corrupt corporate ally Daggett in The Dark Knight Rises. His character is a nasty piece of work, with a malevolent streak and little in the way of sympathy. Darth Vader appears as well, the ultimate villain at his most malicious. James Earl Jones reprises the voice of the Dark Lord, while the physical role is carried out by two actors- Spencer Wilding and Daniel Naprous. This might well be the last we ever see of Vader at his darkest on the big screen, and he’s a cruel, brutal pleasure to watch, chilling at the same time.

Alan Tudyk (Serenity) did the voice and motion capture for K-2SO, a droid that was once an Imperial enforcer, its memory erased. K is a whole lot less polite than C-3P0 ever was, and snarky in his own way, so there are times he steals the scenes. Riz Ahmed gets an interesting role as Bodhi Rook, an Imperial pilot who chooses to defect to the Rebellion, and his place in the team requires the actor to step in two worlds and convey the sense of shifting allegiances. Jiang Wen plays a Rebel soldier and mercenary named Baze Malbus, tough and capable, and a friend to another Rebel. That character being Chirrut Imwe, played by actor Donnie Yen, a character who’s blind and yet in touch with the Force, something of a zen presence to the team.

Mads Mikkelsen is one of those character actors always compelling in whatever he does, and here he’s the father of the lead heroine, torn away from his family and forced into doing the bidding of evil. Mikkelsen brings a sense of regret and loss to his performance as Galen, as well as poignancy. Forest Whitaker is also a character actor who can make a role fascinating to watch, and he gets a lot to do as Saw Gerrera, a veteran of the Clone Wars that were such a strong component of the prequel trilogy. Gerrera is courageous and bold, and clearly a leader. Diego Luna shows up as Cassian Andor, a Rebel intelligence officer given responsibilities over the mission, including one that serves as a troublesome contingency measure. He’s a leader in his own right, brave and stoic as the film unfolds, weighed down by the responsibilities he faces.

Felicity Jones has the lead role as Jyn. She’s hardened by what life has had in store for her, cynical even, and yet not broken. All that she loved was torn away from her, and at the same time she’s come out of it as a survivor. She invests herself in the mission with a personal stake, and we sympathize with her, part because of way Jones carries herself in the role, but also because we’ve been a silent witness to what she’s lost. Jones makes the character compelling to watch, bold, brave, and poignant. It’s a one time role, but it’s a good one, and a worthy heroine for the Star Wars universe.

Rogue One is an entertaining addition to the Star Wars mythos, giving us new characters in a familiar universe of dark threats and the hope of a better day to come. It’s self contained, but ties strongly into what’s come before. It is ferocious and intense at times in its action sequences, and dark in its tone, but it works well, leaving the audience satisfied and wanting more of these self contained stories. Next up? A tale of a young smuggler with a talent for getting himself and his friends into trouble...

What Is It That Disturbs You, Stephen?

“I don’t believe in fairy tales about chakras or energy or the power of belief.” ~ Stephen Strange

“Might I offer you some advice? Forget everything that you think you know.” ~ Mordo

"Heroes like the Avengers protect the world from physical dangers. We safeguard it against more mystical threats." ~ Wong

"I do not seek to rule this world. I seek to destroy it." ~ Kaecilius

“You’re a man looking at the world through a keyhole. You’ve spent your life trying to widen it. Your work saved the lives of thousands. What if I told you that reality is one of many?” ~ The Ancient One

"Where have you been?" ~ Christine Palmer

"I went to Kathmandu, and I learned to tap into powers I never knew I had." ~ Stephen Strange

"So you joined a cult?" ~ Christine Palmer

Among the many characters dating back to the earliest days of Marvel’s classic era is the Sorceror Supreme, Doctor Stephen Strange, a creation of artist Steve Ditko and Stan Lee. The former surgeon turned master wizard has been a fixture ever since, in solo ongoing titles, miniseries, as part of a team, or in major events that have often had earth shaking consequences. Now the character joins the Marvel cinematic universe in a major solo film that introduces the character and the mystical side of a fantastic world, while still retaining roots to what’s already been established. It also retains the character’s initial arrogance turned to humility in this origin story that brings a proud man into a new role for the world. And for good measure, there’s a healthy dose of humour among the proceedings.

We meet one of the big bads of the film, a sorcerer named Kaecilius (Mads Mikkelsen, who’s often playing villains) as he and his followers stage a raid at a Himalayan retreat named Kamar-Taj, murdering  a librarian and stealing an ancient text. The Ancient One (Tilda Swinton), who once taught Kaecilius, and who is in charge of the place, isn’t pleased by the turn of events.

Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) is an esteemed surgeon who’s let his reputation go to his head and has developed a rather arrogant streak. That’s all brought to a halt when he gets into a rather bad car accident that ends his surgical record, what with ruining the capability of his hands for the fine work of surgery. His former lover and colleague Christine Palmer (Rachel McAdams) tries to encourage him to move on with his life, but he’s more interested in finding a way to recover the full use of his hands. The path ultimately leads him to Kamar-Taj, where the Ancient One and one of her fellow sorcerers, Mordo (Chiwetel Ejiofor) take him on as a student, introducing him to the mystic world, secrets of magic, and other realities.  In time, however, trouble is brewing, as the reasons for the raid become clear, and Kaecilius seeks to draw out an even bigger Big Bad from the Dark Dimension.

The idea of a feature film involving the Sorceror Supreme goes back to the 1980s, and in fact there was a TV movie from the late 1970s. More serious efforts to make the film started six years ago, with the go-ahead coming in 2014 with director Scott Derrickson coming in to helm the project. Numerous actors were considered for the lead, with Cumberbatch being consistently among them- the production ultimately ended up working around the actor’s schedule. Derrickson had a hand in writing the story, along with two other credited writers, Jon Spaights and C. Robert Cargill, and the story is both an origin tale and one that firmly establishes the character in the cinematic universe.

Along the way the story turns certain characters into different roles, while working to put its protagonist through the path to knowledge (and away from arrogance) that is so integral to what makes him work so well. The story is highly metaphysical and fantastic, which suits the source material very well- there are influences of The Matrix or Inception, with a magical overtone. While elements of the film are very much real world (at least real world Marvel cinematic universe style), other elements- once one starts dashing around other dimensional realities- are very much impossible, over the top, and incredible. The story still manages to maintain its foothold in that cinematic universe, telling a tale of who can be called upon to guard against threats that the Avengers can’t deal with. There are nods to the previously established cinematic universe, such as the idea of the dark dimension, the Infinity Stones, or a well placed cameo appearance. There’s even humour spread liberally through the screenplay, which might be a surprise with such epic otherworldly stakes at play.

Derrickson’s background as a director is mostly in horror films, and so this is his first foray into the super-hero genre. And he does very well indeed with it. His enthusiasm for the characters certainly come across, and he brings this fantastic world to vivid life. Derrickson paces the film in a way that’s always smooth, never with moments that feel slow or plodding along. The film straddles the worlds of science and magic, and gives us a protagonist that somehow copes with the contradictions of both, being in both worlds. Filming was done on location in Nepal- which gives much of the film a beautifully rugged, otherworldly feel, as well as in the United Kingdom and New York, with studio work in the UK.

The crew- especially those in special effects- bring to life the fantastic realms and realities the Doctor must deal with, both in small touches like props and costumes and in terms of the look of places like mirror realities, the astral plane, and the Dark Dimension. Their work really makes the film a visual spectacle. A particular nod must go to those who designed the look and properties of the Cape of Levitation, a part of Strange’s garb that seems to take on a life of its own. The sense of otherworldliness transfers over to the score by Michael Giacchino, who seems to compose half of scores these days- admittedly an exaggeration- and who gives the film a magical touch with the accompanying score.

The cast are all wonderfully chosen for their parts, even if some of the casting choices are highly unconventional. Benedict Wong is a British actor who’s appeared recently in The Martian and Prometheus. He plays Wong, a character rather different from his comics incarnation, where there he is the manservant and voice of conscience to Strange. Here he is a master of the mystic arts, taking on the role of guarding the sacred texts of Kamar-Taj after the murder of his predecessor. The character is something of a strict drill sergeant, not to be trifled with or underestimated, but likable beneath the gruffness.

Mads Mikkelsen often gets to play either outright villains or brooding characters in much of his international work outside his home country of Denmark. He’s probably best known to many filmgoers as the antagonist Le Chiffre in Casino Royale, and here he plays the villain with scenery chewing gusto. Kaecilius is a mixture of characters from the comics, but one who believes he’s doing the right thing, even if that’s a path into the wrong thing. There’s an element of the relationship between Sauron and Saruman in the character- as formidable as the wizard might be, he’s a forerunner for a bigger threat (a rather unpleasant fellow named Dormammu who likes hanging around in the Dark Dimension and being thoroughly despicable). Mikkelsen makes him a character you can hate- while you’re still understanding where he’s coming from.

Tilda Swinton may seem an unlikely choice for the Ancient One- the comics book character was a Tibetan man- and the reasons they altered both ethnicity and sex for the character are rather convoluted. That said, she’s well suited for the role, one of those rare actors gifted with eccentricity that fits this character. There’s a mix of serenity and grave responsibility to her, as well as dry humour and wit that I liked. She takes her role in the great balance of things seriously- even if it might blind her to a point of view that disagrees with her own. Swinton makes the character her own, and does a formidable job of it.

Rachel McAdams has a good turn in the film as Christine Palmer. Rather than be the requisite love interest, the story turns that on its head by having her and Strange coming out of a previous relationship on friendly terms, and instead Christine is his anchor to his humanity. It’s an interesting twist, and McAdams gives the character depth and humanity, as well as invests seriousness and professionalism into how she plays her- Christine is, after all, a surgeon in her own right, and those qualities are critical to such an occupation. More to the point, we can accept the connection between the two characters- the way they interact suggests lots of history.

Chiwetel Ejiofer is one of those character actors you’ve seen in many films down through the years, including Children Of Men and 12  Years A Slave. Two of his roles that particularly stand out for me are as the Operative in Serenity and as Detective Mitchell in the sublime cops and robbers caper Inside Man. He plays Mordo as something different than the comic version, and the result works well. The comic version is a villain, a ruthless sorcerer without nuances. Mordo here is a mentor and ally to Strange, working with him through the film, though ultimately they end up in different places. He’s a stickler for the rules, and Ejiofer gives the character qualities of wisdom, gravity, and occasional impatience.  He makes the character compelling to watch.

There were numerous actors considered to play the lead, many of whom would have been ideal, but Benedict Cumberbatch is perfectly cast as the character. He brings across the character’s early arrogance (and a personal reason to be a doctor) very well, as Strange has let his gifts get the better of his ego. From there, he conveys the sense of startled wide eyed curiosity and bafflement as Strange discovers worlds and realities far beyond his experience through the learning process. The actor also brings to life the character’s humility, eccentricity, and ultimately audacity as the story goes along. I like that he’s willing to bend rules as he finds his place in a world of magic, and that  Cumberbatch invests the character with intelligence and wit. The actor gets a second role of sorts, providing motion capture movement for Dormammu, the third act Big Bad. Especially as the lead though, he’s charismatic and fun to watch, and that comes across through the film.

Doctor Strange opens up the mystic side of the Marvel cinematic universe in a big way- it’s something that’s been underplayed, really, aside from one of the Avengers. It’s entertaining and thrilling, fun and visually sparkling, and a pleasure to watch, with a terrific cast. It makes for a very good way to wind down what’s been a year of cinematic superheroes- some of whom have worked better than others. This film is very much the former of those.