It’s not too often that I start watching a feature presentation in disgust, but it happens more often than I wish. In a packed Dolby Atmos screening for "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story," I endured the full trailer for the animated terror that is "The Boss Baby," with Alec Baldwin as the Boss Baby. People around me laughed without a shred of irony or cynicism, capping off their joyful cheer with thunderous applause when “Baldwin Baby” made a GlenGarry Glen Ross reference. Without hesitation, I looked over at my brother (who was shaking his head) and proclaimed, “THAT’S why Donald Trump won the Presidency.” Still in the Star Wars mood, I thought on Senator Amidala’s line in "Revenge of the Sith" about democracy ending “with thunderous applause,” and how it related to that movie’s release during the W. Bush years.
Affectionately, I refer to "Rogue One" now as "Prequel Dark Thirty" to describe not only the gritty war action, but to contrast this fantastical galaxy with the dramatized story of Obama’s most executive decision. While I certainly won’t shed a tear for Osama Bin Laden, I do question the authority used to commit revenge at the highest level. For me, "Zero Dark Thirty" ends not with a bullet to the head, but with remorse for our souls and all that we lost to get to that moment. In the same vein, "Rogue One" reminds me of this conclusion by re-contextualizing what lies at the heart of the rebellion against the Empire. It’s a perspective I had almost forgotten during the 2016 election, leaving me to romanticize events instead of pointing out the ugly details. Always remember the ugly details; they DO matter.
In the 1994 film "Clerks," the character of Randal questions the morality of blowing up the second Death Star in "Return of the Jedi," since non-military contractors were probably on board. "Rogue One" is not just the first live action spin-off film, but the first Star Wars Story to give me this very curious and demanding perspective on the series and the behavior of our heroes.
“Save the rebellion! Save the dream!” yells Saw Gerrera (Forest Whitaker), an extremist rebel whose militant group very closely resembles people that the U.S. might want to drone strike into oblivion. More machine than man, he requires a permanent breathing device attached to him for use every few minutes. Comparisons can be drawn to the similarly monstrous Darth Vader, who in this film is more spry and frightening than in the Original Trilogy. We don’t get much of Saw or his team, but within these scenes exist a visual warning to our plucky force fighters – to not become the thing you’re fighting against. To not give in to hate. Or, you know, the darkside.
In the first hour, our reintroduction to the rebels include espionage, murder and assassination orders. These are troubling times, for sure. A super weapon is being built, the Republic is a farce and the resources of those who wish to put an end to the Empire are scarce. On the ropes from the get go, the rebellion starts with drastic measures. I suppose when up against the full weight of fascism, diplomacy and reason aren’t on the table, but shouldn’t there be a set of rules to keep everyone in check, even if only to say that we’re better than the Empire?
When it’s time to make a choice of remaining in the shadows or fighting on the front, the concept of hope is summoned to rally everyone into battle. A united battle. It is here when I started to get concerned about pop culture slogans like “Yes we can!” Schmaltzy for sure, but effective nonetheless. Probably focus tested, even. While I do think that the use of the phrase is genuine, it didn’t come from an earnest place. Hope, in "Rogue One," is tossed about a lot, but never coming to full effect until the very last line delivery of the film, which is so rabble-rousing I nearly lost my mind (in a good way). When [character name omitted] says it, we believe it. When it’s said by Harvey Milk, we believe it. Barack Obama? Maybe a little. It’s hard to juxtapose hope with kill lists. Apples and Oranges? That case could be made, but how about leading by example? How about trying something different? The rebellion learns this just in time for a most emotional finale, but real life isn’t wrapped up in a bow.
Did you hear about #DumpStarWars? The idea that the movie is anti-Trump? It’s funny how the president-elect's supporters see a little of him and themselves in the Empire – to the point of recommending a boycott. It’s silly, of course. Do you recall Michael Moore’s "Capitalism: A Love Story," in which Obama’s 2008 victory was seen and depicted as REAL change? It’s funny how a filmmaker and visual essayist known for reading between the lines fell so far in line – at least, at the time.
The new Star Wars Story didn’t HAVE to do anything beyond provide fun space adventures, but it did. "Rogue One," at the dawn of Donald Trump’s reign, is not just a tome against aggressive and ignorant power, but a reminder that anyone and everyone can become susceptible to those elements, from a Texas buffoon to a kid named Barry. Hope is good, optimism is great, but both need your action to be realized. And that action must represent your better self. If it doesn’t, you’re just pushing the status quo, encouraging the darkside and perpetuating legacy after legacy of terror across our galaxy.
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