First of all, this movie is AWESOME. Not awesome like The Force Awakens was great because it brought back classic characters in a strangely familiar yet all new way. No. This movie is the true prequel to A New Hope. It’s all you need to see to prime you for the classic trilogy. It is totally original, completely engrossing, and it never slows down from the opening frame to the MIND BLOWING ending.

OK, enough of how great it is.

Should kids see Rogue One: A Star Wars Story?

This movie is very intense. It is a war movie with many battle scenes. It is a Star Wars movie in every way…minus the cute characters, Jedi and the rousing score from beginning to end.

If you have children over 8, this film is no more intense than Revenge of the Sith (which in my opinion is the darkest of all the films). The movie is closest in tone to The Empire Strikes Back. I can tell you that A LOT of people on both sides die in this film. If your younglings have an issue with death on screen, then hire a sitter and go without them. If your kids have seen all of the films, or if you and they had no issue with Han Solo taking a blade to the gut from his own son, then this film is fine for the family. Basically, it boils down to this: air on the side of caution and if it looks like someone is about to die, cover your kid’s eyes.

The more I thought about the film, the more I realized that it appears to be a darker film, but in reality, the other films in the series have showcased more violence and a few other odd moments that are harder to explain to the little ones. Luke and Leia in Empire anyone? Anakin killing all those kids? Dark stuff for sure.

The acting is top notch. The special effects are amazing. The ships and action have never looked better, and I felt even more “in the battle” than the P.O.V. X-Wing strikes in The Force Awakens. There are great cameos, callbacks to the original films and the prequels and even some Easter eggs from Star Wars Rebels, if you have a quick eye.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Photo credit: LucasFilm/ILM

The comic relief is subtle and timed perfectly. Most of the lighter moments in the film are delivered by the exceptional Alan Tudyk as the former Imperial droid, K-2SO. Ben Mendelsohn is the ultimate fascinating bad guy as Director Krennic and Diego Luna (Captain Andor) and Felicity Jones (Jyn Erso) make a great team as the leaders of the band of rebels known by their made up call sign, Rogue One.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story..L to R: Cassian Andor (Diego Luna), Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones) and K-2SO (Alan Tudyk). Photo by: Jonathan Olley.

The story has a very positive message and the script clears up so many important questions that we, as Star Wars fans, have had for all these years. Why was the Death Star so easy to blow up??? This movie answers it!

As always, seeing a movie like this should be at your discretion when it comes to knowing what your kids can handle, as you will be the one answering the questions in the car on the way home. Just know that this film has no “adult content,” no swearing and actually no blood. For a dark and intense film, it actually leaves a lot to the imagination. Lots of people on both sides do not make it in this film, but when they die there is a reason, and it is pretty clear to the audience why something is happening.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Photo credit: Lucasfilm/ILM

Director Gareth Edwards has made a classic. This film deserves to be seen enjoyed by all ages. It is great filmmaking and like A New Hope, it has brought the wonder back to the galaxy far far away.

ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY arrives in theaters everywhere this Friday, December 16th in 3D, Real D 3D and IMAX 3D!

Thank you, Disney, for inviting us to an early screening of this film so that we could write this review for our readers.