Rebellions Are Built On Hope | Rogue One Story Analysis

Summary

The video script delves into the concept of prequels in modern cinema, highlighting 'Star Wars' as a pioneer. It focuses on 'Rogue One,' exploring its narrative and characters, and how it differs from traditional 'Star Wars' films by presenting a raw, war-torn reality. The analysis emphasizes the film's portrayal of the 'greater good' justification for morally complex actions during war, the nuanced view of the Rebellion, and the film's impact as a prequel that expands on the 'Star Wars' universe with a fresh perspective.

Takeaways

• 🎥 The concept of prequels is prevalent in modern cinema, with many franchises exploring backstories and expanding universes.
• 🌟 'Star Wars' is a notable franchise that has capitalized on the prequel trend, setting multiple stories before the main trilogy.
• 🔍 Prequels aim to reveal unknown aspects or expand on briefly mentioned concepts in the original series.
• 👥 'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story' delves into events leading up to 'A New Hope', focusing on the Rebel Alliance's mission to steal Death Star plans.
• 🏰 The film portrays a realistic and gritty war setting, contrasting with the more fantastical elements of other 'Star Wars' movies.
• 🔥 It highlights the moral complexities and harsh realities of war, where characters must commit difficult acts for the 'greater good'.
• 👍 'Rogue One' is praised for its nuanced portrayal of the Rebellion, showing that even the 'good guys' have to make tough choices and sacrifices.
• 👊 The film challenges the traditional 'good vs. evil' dichotomy, suggesting that war involves a spectrum of greys rather than clear-cut sides.
• 🌌 It emphasizes the personal stories and sacrifices of ordinary individuals, rather than focusing on mythic heroes or larger-than-life characters.
• 💥 The film's conclusion, where the main characters die without glorified deaths, underscores the brutal nature of war and the cost of heroism.
• 🎬 'Rogue One' serves as a successful prequel by expanding on the 'Star Wars' universe in a new and impactful way, providing a fresh perspective on familiar themes.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the movie 'Rogue One' as discussed in the script?

The main theme of 'Rogue One' is the grim reality of war, showing the moral grey areas, sacrifices, and the harsh truths of fighting against an oppressive regime. It explores the concept of the 'greater good' and the actions characters must take in the name of their cause.

How does 'Rogue One' differ from other Star Wars movies?

'Rogue One' is distinct from other Star Wars movies as it focuses on the war aspect, showing the harsh realities of conflict without glorifying it. It presents a more nuanced view of the Rebellion and the Empire, challenging the traditional 'good vs. evil' narrative.

What is the significance of the character Jyn Erso in 'Rogue One'?

Jyn Erso is significant as she represents the common people in the Star Wars universe who rise above themselves to fight for their beliefs. As a non-mythical character with a troubled past, she serves as a relatable protagonist in a war film, emphasizing the theme of ordinary individuals becoming heroes.

What is the role of the character Cassian Andor in the story?

Cassian Andor is a rebel intelligence officer who struggles with the moral implications of his actions for the 'greater good.' His internal conflict and the difficult decisions he makes highlight the complexities and moral ambiguity of war.

Why is the concept of the 'greater good' important in 'Rogue One'?

The 'greater good' is a central concept in 'Rogue One' as it justifies the extreme actions taken by characters during wartime. It serves to explore the moral dilemmas faced by individuals who must commit acts they might otherwise find reprehensible for the sake of a larger cause.

What event triggers the main plot of 'Rogue One'?

The main plot of 'Rogue One' is triggered when Imperial cargo pilot Bodhi Rook defects from the Empire, taking a message recorded by Galen Erso to Saw Gerrera, which sets in motion the events leading to the rebellion's mission to steal the Death Star plans.

How does the script describe the character K-2SO?

K-2SO is described as a reprogrammed Imperial droid who becomes part of the team attempting to steal the Death Star plans. His sacrifice for the mission underscores the theme of selflessness and the harsh realities of war.

What is the significance of the planet Scarif in 'Rogue One'?

Scarif is significant as it is the location of the Imperial data bank containing the Death Star plans. The daring mission to retrieve these plans is a central plot point in 'Rogue One,' leading to a climactic battle and the transmission of the plans to the Rebel fleet.

How does the script portray the Rebel Alliance in 'Rogue One'?

The script portrays the Rebel Alliance as a group of ordinary people who are thrust into extraordinary circumstances. It humanizes them by showing their fears, their reluctance to engage in full-scale war, and their sacrifices, thus providing a more grounded perspective on the Rebellion.

What is the ultimate fate of the main characters in 'Rogue One'?

The ultimate fate of the main characters in 'Rogue One' is that they all die during the mission to transmit the Death Star plans, emphasizing the high cost of their actions and the brutal nature of war.

Why does the script argue that 'Rogue One' is an excellent prequel?

The script argues that 'Rogue One' is an excellent prequel because it expands on a concept only briefly touched upon in the main series, providing a deeper understanding of the Rebellion's struggle and sacrifices, and offering a fresh perspective that challenges the traditional Star Wars narrative.

Outlines

00:00

🎬 The Prequel Trend and 'Rogue One'

The paragraph discusses the popularity of prequels in modern cinema, highlighting how franchises like 'Star Wars' have capitalized on this trend. It questions the purpose of prequels, which is to reveal unknown aspects or expand on previously mentioned concepts. The 'Star Wars' prequels, for instance, delve into the Clone Wars, the relationship between Obi-Wan and Anakin, and the state of the universe during a significant gap. The paragraph then transitions into a personal appreciation for 'Rogue One,' a prequel that explores events immediately preceding 'A New Hope.' It outlines the plot, starting with the Erso family's plight, the introduction of key characters like Jyn Erso and Cassian Andor, and the mission to steal the Death Star plans. The paragraph concludes with an introduction to the video's structure, which will include a synopsis and analysis of 'Rogue One.'

05:01

🌟 The Moral Ambiguity and Sacrifice in 'Rogue One'

This paragraph delves into the darker, more realistic aspects of 'Rogue One' as a war film within the 'Star Wars' universe. It contrasts the typical portrayal of the Rebellion as purely good with the harsh realities of war, where actions taken for the 'greater good' can be morally ambiguous. The paragraph discusses how 'Rogue One' uniquely shows the internal conflict of characters like Cassian Andor, who must reconcile his violent actions with the cause he believes in. It also touches on the film's exploration of the grey areas of war, where both the Rebellion and the Empire can justify their actions under the guise of the 'greater good.' The narrative structure of 'Rogue One' is praised for its focus on the sacrifices and losses that are often overlooked in war films, making it a compelling and authentic portrayal of the costs of conflict.

10:01

🪖 'Rogue One': A War Film That Confronts Reality

The final paragraph emphasizes 'Rogue One's' status as a war film, focusing on the harsh realities of conflict rather than the heroics often seen in the 'Star Wars' franchise. It argues that 'Rogue One' is the most war-like of all 'Star Wars' films, as it presents the desperation, struggle, and sacrifice inherent in warfare without glorification. The paragraph discusses the film's portrayal of the Rebellion's aversion to open conflict, reflecting the fear and understanding of war's true nature. It also highlights the film's humanization of the Rebellion, showing them as regular people thrust into extraordinary circumstances. The characters in 'Rogue One' are depicted as flawed and complex, contributing to the film's authenticity as a war narrative. The paragraph concludes by reflecting on the film's impact, noting that while it wasn't necessary, it provides a fresh perspective on the 'Star Wars' universe and a deeper understanding of the Rebellion's struggle.

Keywords

💡Prequel

A prequel is a literary or film narrative that precedes the story of an original work, typically filling in the backstories of characters or events. In the context of the video, prequels are discussed as a popular trend in modern cinema, with 'Star Wars' being highlighted for pioneering this approach. The video uses 'Rogue One' as an example to explore the value of prequels in expanding the narrative universe and deepening audience understanding of the series' lore.

💡Star Wars

Star Wars is a landmark science fiction franchise that includes films, TV series, books, and more. It is central to the video's discussion as it is noted for setting a trend in prequel production. The video delves into how Star Wars prequels, like 'Rogue One', provide insights into the universe's history, characters' origins, and events leading up to the main saga, thus enriching the overall narrative experience.

💡Rogue One

'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story' is a film that serves as a prequel to the original Star Wars trilogy. The video praises 'Rogue One' for its storytelling, which focuses on a group of rebels on a desperate mission to steal plans for the Death Star. It is highlighted as a prime example of a prequel done right, as it expands on the Star Wars universe by exploring the events leading up to 'A New Hope' and the sacrifices made for the greater good.

💡Galen Erso

Galen Erso is a character in 'Rogue One', a scientist who is coerced into working on the Death Star project. His inclusion in the video underscores the personal stakes and moral dilemmas faced by characters in war narratives. Galen's story exemplifies the video's theme of individual sacrifices for a larger cause, as he secretly engineers a flaw in the Death Star to aid the rebellion.

💡Death Star

The Death Star is a space station and superweapon in the Star Wars universe, capable of destroying entire planets. In the video, the Death Star serves as a central plot device in 'Rogue One', symbolizing the overwhelming power of the Empire and the desperate measures the Rebellion must take to counter it. The video discusses the Death Star's role in driving the narrative and the characters' motivations.

💡Rebellion

The Rebellion, or the Rebel Alliance, is the group of freedom fighters opposing the oppressive Galactic Empire in Star Wars. The video uses the Rebellion to illustrate the theme of underdogs fighting against overwhelming odds. It discusses how 'Rogue One' portrays the Rebellion's struggle and the moral complexities of their fight, including the difficult decisions and sacrifices they make.

💡Greater Good

The 'greater good' is a concept referenced in the video to describe actions taken for the perceived benefit of the majority, even if they involve moral compromises. In 'Rogue One', characters often justify their actions, including violent ones, as being for the greater good of the Rebellion. The video explores this concept to highlight the moral ambiguities and the harsh realities of war within the Star Wars narrative.

💡War Film

A war film is a genre that focuses on warfare, military operations, and the experiences of soldiers. The video posits 'Rogue One' as a war film within the Star Wars franchise, emphasizing its gritty and realistic portrayal of conflict. It discusses how 'Rogue One' differs from traditional Star Wars films by not glorifying war but rather showcasing its brutal and tragic aspects.

💡Sacrifice

Sacrifice is a central theme in the video, referring to the giving up of something valuable for the sake of a goal or cause. 'Rogue One' is noted for its depiction of characters making ultimate sacrifices, such as giving their lives for the Rebellion. The video uses牺牲 to underscore the high stakes and the cost of heroism in the face of overwhelming odds.

💡Moral Ambiguity

Moral ambiguity is the quality of a situation, action, or character that is open to multiple moral interpretations. The video discusses how 'Rogue One' presents moral ambiguity by showing characters in the Rebellion committing acts that are traditionally seen as wrong, but are justified by the context of war and the fight for freedom. This adds depth and complexity to the Star Wars narrative.

💡Heroism

Heroism in the video is discussed in the context of ordinary individuals performing extraordinary acts, often at great personal cost. 'Rogue One' is praised for showcasing the heroism of its characters, who are not traditional heroes but become so through their actions. The video connects this theme to the broader message that anyone can rise to the occasion and make a difference.

Highlights

Prequels are a popular trend in modern cinema, with many franchises exploring backstories.

Star Wars initiated the modern prequel trend with multiple movies and shows set before the main trilogy.

Prequels aim to reveal unknown aspects or expand on briefly mentioned concepts in the original series.

Star Wars prequels detailed events like the Clone Wars and the fall of Anakin Skywalker.

Rogue One is praised for its unique approach within the Star Wars universe.

The movie begins with the Ersos trying to evade the Empire on the planet Lah'mu.

Jyn Erso is saved by Saw Gerrera after her family is attacked by Orson Krennic.

Bodhi Rook defects from the Empire with a message from Galen Erso, sparking the movie's plot.

The Rebel Alliance learns about the Death Star's existence and its potential weakness.

Jyn Erso leads a mission to retrieve the Death Star plans from the planet Scarif.

The film explores the moral complexities and sacrifices made for the 'greater good' in war.

Rogue One is noted for its realistic portrayal of war and its impact on individuals.

The movie challenges the traditional 'good guys vs. bad guys' narrative by showing moral ambiguity.

Rogue One is considered the most war-like film in the Star Wars series, focusing on the harsh realities of conflict.

The film's characters are not mythic heroes but relatable individuals, enhancing its war film essence.

The movie concludes with the successful transmission of the Death Star plans, setting up Episode IV.

Rogue One's exploration of the 'greater good' and the costs of war makes it a standout in the Star Wars franchise.

Transcripts

the concept of a prequel is a very hot

topic in modern cinema

it seems like everyone and their grandma

wants a prequel to anything and

everything want to know about wizards

before the wizards you know fantastic

beasts

want to know about this dude's second

cousin once removed the hobbit want to

know about dragon people before there

weren't a lot of dragon people

house of the dragon

see what i mean there are a lot of

prequels in this day and age one

franchise in particular that basically

started this modern trend of prequel

reliance is none other than star wars

they basically capitalized on the trend

of prequel content with multiple movies

and shows all being set before the main

trilogy now a question you may be asking

is what's the point

what exactly is the point of telling a

prequel story well generally it's to

tell the audience something we don't

already know or expand on a concept or

story only briefly touched upon in the

main series in star wars case the

prequels told us about the events of the

clone wars obi-wan and anakin's

relationship before his fall and what

the universe was like during the 19-year

gap between episodes 3 and 4. so what

more is there to tell when a story as

important as that has already been

fleshed out well what about what happens

like five minutes before the first movie

while it may sound strange saying it

like that in the context of a new hope

it kind of works out pretty well that

movie starts off at the end of a chase

sequence so like what happens right

before well that's how you get rogue one

and let me tell you i'm so glad they

made this movie because rogue one is one

of the best star wars movies out there i

love this movie so much and i really

don't know why so that's why we're here

today i went back and rewatched rogue

one and analyzed the story in an attempt

to truly understand why i love this

movie so much and i think i actually

figured it out this video will be broken

up into two parts first my synopsis of

the story and then my analysis if you

wish to jump to specific sections there

will be time codes in the description

we open on the planet lammu as scientist

galen erso and his family are attempting

to hide from the empire however their

piece is disturbed when imperial weapons

developer orson krennic arrives to

quote-unquote ask him to complete the

death star a massive battle station

capable of destroying whole planets the

confrontation goes south and galen's

wife lira is killed however their

daughter jyn manages to escape and is

saved by saw guerrera a rebel extremist

cut to 15 years later and imperial cargo

pilot bodhi rook defects from the empire

taking a message recorded by galen to

saw herrera who is currently hiding on

the planet jedha elsewhere rebel

intelligence officer cassian andor

learns of rook's defection from an

informant as well as the existence of a

planet's killer jinn is currently at an

imperial labor camp but is rescued by

the rebels and brought to yavin 4. the

leaders convince her to find and rescue

her father so that they can learn more

about this planet killer as they are

preparing to depart cassian is secretly

ordered to disregard his prior

instructions and assassinate galen erso

jyn cassian and k2so a reprogrammed

imperial droid travel to the planet

jedha where the empire is mining kuiper

crystals to power the death star all the

while fighting off saw guerrera's rebels

caught in the crossfire of an ambush the

group is saved by the blind guardian of

the wills chirit imwe and his friend

baze malbus for those who don't know the

guardians of the wills are an order of

warrior monks who aren't force sensitive

but more like force adjacent for lack of

a better term they can sense using the

force however not control it themselves

which is why a blind man is kicking so

much ass

jin cassian chirrut and baze were all

taken by saw guerrero's rebels and jyn

is brought before saw he shows her

galen's message where he reveals that he

secretly built a vulnerability into the

death star and directs them to retrieve

the schematics from an imperial data

bank on the planet scarif on the death

star currently orbiting jedha krennic

orders a low-powered test shot which

destroys the capital city and much of

the planet jyn and her group take bodhi

and flee as guerrero remains behind to

die grand moff tarkin congratulates

krennic before using bodhi's defection

as an excuse to take control of the

project back with the team bodhi leads

the group to galen's imperial research

facility on the planet edu after crash

landing on the planet cassian heads out

to look for a shuttle to quote unquote

steel or in plain speak assassinate

galen however when it comes down to it

cassian can't pull the trigger but he

doesn't have to because a rebel squad

attacks and bombs the facility jyn makes

it to the destroyed facility and holds

her father as he dies in her arms the

group flees and returns to yavin 4 in

order to speak with the rebel leaders

and propose a plan to steal the death

star schematics on scarif the leaders

however feel a victory against the

empire is impossible and don't approve

the mission frustrated but still

determined jin leads a small group of

rebel volunteers to recover the

schematics arriving on scarif on a

stolen imperial shuttle which bodhi

names rogue one a disguised gin cassian

and k2so enter the base while the other

rebels attack the imperials as a

diversion as the battle kicks off the

rebels learn of their raid from an

intercepted imperial communications and

deploy their fleet in support

jyn and cassian learn they must transmit

the plans to the fleet but can't get

past the orbital shield gate blocking

the transmission things began to go

south as k2so sacrifices himself so jin

and cassian can retrieve the data on the

beachhead chirrut is killed after

activating the master switch to allow

communication with the rebel fleet with

baze dying shortly after still aboard

the ship and now able to communicate

with the rebel fleet in orbit bodhi

informs the fleet that they must

deactivate the planetary shields in

order to allow the transmission of the

schematics soon after he is killed as a

grenade destroys his ship the rebel

fleet destroys two star destroyers which

results in their wreckage destroying the

shield gate jyn and cassian obtain the

schematics but are ambushed by krennic

they fight him off and transmit the

schematics to the rebel command ship

just as the death star enters orbit and

fires a low-powered shot killing cassian

gin and all the remaining rebel ground

forces with the plans received the rebel

fleet prepares to jump as vader arrives

and boards the command ship in the last

moment a small starship with princess

leia aboard manages to slip away with

the death star plans directly leading

into the start of episode 4.

right off the bat this isn't your

typical star wars movie it's a war movie

that shows the grim reality of fighting

a losing war against an unstoppable

opponent it's not all sunshine and

rainbows it shows that war is sometimes

about ambushing a squad of imperials to

stop them from shipping highly dangerous

materials off-world but oh a kid

gets caught in the crossfire but you

know who cares because it's for the

greater good and that's what i want to

talk about first this quote-unquote

greater good justification what i find

really interesting about rogue one is

the fact that they actually bring

attention to some of the horrendous

actions some characters have to commit

for the greater good in wartime more

often than not the powers that be used

the greater good argument to justify any

and all atrocities and again in star

wars we've never seen this before watch

the clone wars and nearly everyone

commits war crimes on a daily basis with

no repercussions or guilt in rogue one

cassian shoots an unarmed man in the

back and doesn't just brush it off we

can tell by his expression that he hates

himself he hates what he does and has

had to do for most of his life but all

he needs to do is take a hit of for the

greater good and he'll be better until

the next atrocity again before rogue one

this had never been shown before the

rebels were always shown as the

quote-unquote good guys and the

imperials as the quote unquote bad guys

and i think that's one of the best

aspects of rogue one because it actually

shows us that reality it shows us that

war is more nuanced than that and things

aren't always so black and white war if

anything is about all of the shades of

grey in between when you have a soldier

you need them to be loyal they have a

unifying cause but they also need a

unifying objective if you tell them time

and time again that what they're doing

is all for the greater good then you can

get them to do virtually anything rebels

or imperials alike hey blow up this

shuttle of imperial recruits why well

it's for the greater good because if you

don't they'll become stormtroopers one

day hey hijack this shuttle with medical

supplies why well it's for the greater

good and the rebellion needs those

supplies more than the outer rim hey

assassinate the scientist why well it's

for the greater good because he could

potentially build stuff for the empire

you see what i mean that argument can be

applied to nearly anything another thing

that i find really interesting about

this movie is that if you take the basic

what you're doing is for the greater

good concept and apply it to the empire

it'd work just as well i mean hell think

about it this way when luke blew up the

death star he canonically killed 1.7

million military personnel and 250 000

civilian contractors now view this as an

imperial a terrorist claiming to follow

an old defunct religion just killed the

entire population of a city if you were

with the empire your higher-ups could

tell you that you need to kill this

extremist for the greater good of the

galaxy and you'd follow that order in a

heartbeat now i may be applying english

major to this interpretation

but i think that's one of the core

concepts of this film hell the tagline

is rebellions are built on hope or

rebellions are built on the belief that

what they are doing will be justified in

the end that they have hoped that what

they're doing what they've been asked to

do will matter for something cassian's

speech before the scarif assault

demonstrates this excellently as he

states

everything i did

i did for the rebellion and every time i

walked away from something i wanted to

forget i told myself it was for a cause

that i believed in rogue one shows us

that the rebellion while just isn't

always in the right it shows us that in

times of war even the heroes need to

become villains all for the

quote-unquote greater good because

without that everything we've done would

have been for nothing this leads me to

my next point rogue one is a war film

through and through in fact i'd argue

rogue one is the most war film out of

all the star wars films the main thesis

of any war film is to demonstrate the

real horrors of war and essentially let

the fighting do the talking they

typically explore themes of desperation

struggles and sacrifice and don't

glorify the fighting but show its

horrors i'd argue that a bad war film

overly glorifies the concept of war they

make it seem like it's honorable to die

in a conflict while ignoring the

realities of what war actually entails a

real war is not so honorable a real war

for lack of a better term is disgusting

war breaks men mentally and physically

war is never a good thing and war should

be the absolute last recourse in any

conflict

and again rogue one actually discusses

this concept when jyn is proposing her

scarif plan to the rebel council they're

actually scared they don't want an open

conflict with the empire because they

know what war entails

they know what they're up against and

they know people will die this is the

first time we've seen some kind of

aversion to an all-out conflict in the

star wars universe

to me that humanizes the rebels

substantially more than any of the other

films have watching the other star wars

movies i'd argue most people are

probably quick to forget that the rebels

are mostly comprised of farmers factory

workers bakers and just the average joe

who's had enough of the oppression

they're an army yeah but at the end of

the day they're just regular people

asked to do extraordinary things

following this debate engine's plan

going to fruition for the first time in

any star wars media we see what it's

like to be on the ground in the mud

running with the rebels as they bob and

weave through the trees avoiding atact

fire friends dying left and right as

they narrowly escape typically in star

wars media they glorify the fighting the

rebels beat the empire and destroy the

death star the clones fight back against

the cis and save coruscant it's depicted

from a mythic hero's point of view luke

the last jedi fighting the evil empire

obi-wan and anakin fighting against the

cis and the sith they are larger than

life characters literal space wizards

with magical powers with impeccable

flipping abilities but what about when

the story is depicted from the grunts

point of view most of the characters in

rogue one aren't what i'd call

upstanding citizens jyn is a criminal

cassian is an assassin k2so is a

reprogrammed droid churrit is a monk

baze is an ex-monk turned merc and bodhi

is just a cargo pilot these characters

aren't larger than life and none of them

will gain a mythic status like luke or

anakin

and because of their mundane and

troubled nature they all make for the

perfect protagonist for this type of

film if say jyn was a jedi i believe her

actions wouldn't have had as much impact

as they would if she was just a regular

criminal hell i feel if there was a jedi

on the team i feel the whole story

wouldn't have had as much impact as it

did it's the portrayal of the common

people in the star wars universe rising

above themselves to fight for what they

believe in that makes this war film as

good as it is and just like war people

die

quickly and without meaning look at all

the character deaths in rogue one were

any of them glorified k2so shot to death

chirrut bays and bodhi blown up cassian

and jinn caught in the death star blast

no one had a glorious and honorable

death they served their purpose and then

the reality of war caught up with them

their one moment gone the next no final

speech no going out on their own terms

just war and death once again we have

never seen a star wars film where

literally everyone dies

sure important characters die in other

movies but the whole cast this again

goes to show the horrors and reality of

war and further makes me love this movie

even more

as up as that sounds if you

haven't caught on to the reoccurring

theme i keep bringing up allow me to

explain

the reason why rogue one is so good and

so impactful is that it not only

demonstrates the true horrors of war by

showing the moral grey aspects of war

and the death and destruction it causes

but it is also something we have never

seen in a star wars property up until

that point

it was new it was fresh and it told the

story that it wanted to tell now did we

need this movie of course not no but

what rogue one did was expand on a

concept briefly touched upon in the main

series it gave us the audience a better

idea of what the rebellion had to do in

order to win the war the atrocities they

had to commit in the name of the greater

good the battles they had to sacrifice

countless soldiers for and how even the

most unlikely individual can rise up to

become a real hero

no rogue one did not have to be made but

it is an excellent example of how to

write a perfect prequel story

you