How does R1 compare to Last Jedi?

I thought a thread like this would already exist...

 

Well @Kylo Solo, I don't think my answer can apply to yer question.
You'll ask why and I'll say 'coz I (just to me=a 'me' thing) can not compare them.
They're two different Stories (also why I do not 'rank' any of the Stories).
I Love them both Very equally.

 

I'm not really a fan of "The Last Jedi". On the other hand, I really enjoyed "Rogue One".

 

Watched RO couple of days ago ( my 5 or 6 viewing i think), and it was inevitable to compare. Came here just to find this question.
In my opinion there is no color. RO is far far better than TLJ.
RO it was really good the first time but its growing on me in every viewing.
The cinematography and the photography are brilliant. Its gritty and organic, while in LJ is more digital. The script is more solid and the absence of forced humor makes the film more serious ( probably the most significative diference with TLJ). If there is humor, is so fluid, like Han's and 3po's from OT. In RO all flows in a positive way and i really like the amazing casting. Even minor characters like pilots, imperials, background extras... are brilliant and have great apparences.
The sound editing, the ships, the suits, aliens, even the score, really really impressed me. There are more exciting shots in RO than TLj, for my taste.
Have to say RO is far better connecting with a 40 years old film than TLJ with a 2 year old film.
Sorry for who like more TLJ. That's my opinion.
TLJ has really great moments (Rey and Kylo, Luke, Snoke death) but for me its not that good cause some script points and visual details.

 

The funny thing about your comment is that Rogue One was completely shot using digital cameras, while THe Last Jedi utilized traditional 35 mm film (except for some exterior shots.)

 

Yep, agreed on that.
That's why I'm really confused with the final result of TLJ. I have the sensation it's not that organic, probably cause there are lots of interior sets (and it's curious cause they are real. Too much perfect i guess). The island parts are really cool (filmed in digital, looks more organic ) and we can appreciate more the organic aspect (although Rian uses some strange and distracting focus shots in the middle).
And that's why, in my opinion, the photography is so important in a film, giving the proper visual aspect in this kind of movies (fantasy, syfy, adventure...). I'm not a fan of the bad use of digital cameras in this movies. Too much clean sometimes rest credibility. Rogue One was a perfect combination of digital cameras and proper photography, if you know what I mean. Really impressed with the visual aspect.

 

For me, it’s Rogue One. What it did within its sandbox (for me) was perhaps the greatest Star Wars movie since Empire.

There are some mitigating factors though. Rogue One could be argued to have had an easier time of it because its scope was predefined by what it could be. It had the potential to be fresh and create its own story - as long as it got the plans to Leia, and didn't break canon, that was fine. We got a side of the Alliance that was gritty and nasty, and saw that even the bravest heroes don’t always walk away from a battle even if victorious. We got some of the best battle scenes seen in the franchise for a long, long time including old footage (Red and Gold Leaders) pitched and used absolutely perfectly. And Vader unleashing hell on a group of Rebel soldiers unlucky enough to be caught in his way.

The Last Jedi had to try and balance the needs of telling the story of the new cast, honouring the old and telling an engaging story at the same time. It had to battle against perhaps insurmountable expectations and could not ever be everything to everyone, just like The Force Awakens wasn’t. Perhaps some backlash was inevitable, whichever quarter it was down to come from. When you are dealing with a franchise as beloved as the Star Wars saga (and in particular, the Original Trilogy), maybe it was always going to happen.

 

That was pure gold.

 

I agree that RO was visually stunning, but so was TLJ. The only reason why you might consider Episode VIII more "digital" is because a lot of the film's action takes place in clean environments, like Canto Bight, The Raddus and The Supremacy.

 

This might be controversial, BUT

I love Rogue One as a Star Wars movie, but I just like it as a film. There's a bit of a lowest-common-denominator feel to the whole thing. It takes no huge risks and it doesn't say anything too complex, but it generally satisfies all the fans. It's visually gorgeous and I think that's the greatest strength of the film.

But I really like the Last Jedi as a film, not only a Star Wars film. It takes risks. It says something complex. It focuses on character more than plot or fan-service. It took me a moment to get into the film, because it engaged a different part of my brain than the usual Star Wars film.

I watched Rogue One as a Star Wars fan: I enjoyed it because of cool action sequences, new vehicles, nice bits of canon and the like. But I had to watch The Last Jedi as a film lover. It engages a deeper part of the brain and forces you to participate and think.

 

Absolutely. You're absolutely right here.

 

You make some good points there, Jaxxon. That's your journey with the films and I'm happy that's how you find them - I wish I'd been the same. I may have some issues with the story beats in TLJ and how they were delivered (Canto Blight, Luke) but the main issue for me was that it tried to subvert pretty much everything - using a narrative scalpel can sometimes be more effective than a hammer. For me it's better to leave some token things in (to keep the audience engaged) and then pull the rug out from under them when they least expect it. That said, one thing I have tried to do is to encourage work colleagues and friends to go into TLJ with an open mind. Some like it, some don't; it's their right to form an opinion on the film themselves.

Don't forget though R1 was actually a gamble in itself; a Star Wars movie that wasn't a full and proper part of the saga. It's role was to fit in alongside the OT, and provide that seamless lead-in to A New Hope's opening crawl. That was its mandate and it did it pretty damn perfectly for me. That's why I'm positive about Solo, despite the director change and on-set rumblings. Hey, if it means we get to see the Kessel Run, sign me up

 

TLJ rehashes previous films, especially from the OT, and thus should be compared to them.

RO is significantly different from the SW films because it deals less with Jedi lore than with outcasts who have to risks their lives to help the rebels, which means it should be compared to some war films with similar themes. It does that well, and it's the third act that's remarkable.

 

RO and TLJ show that Star Wars films can be very different and yet great.

 

R1 kicks TLJ's butt, period.

 

I love Rogue One, yeah i have a few issues with it, but its easily my favourite if this new era of Star Wars films. As for how it compares to the Last Jedi... well lets just say i think its better.

 

Very well put! Evaluating RO based on the “sandbox” it was allowed to play in is a great way to contextualize it. I also agree with your take on TLJ, it just stinks that I’m a fan who was bound to be disappointed by the direction it took.

 

I loved RO.
But, TLJ is the new SW masterpiece.

 

Rogue One is fan service festival of Star Wars eye candy with some of the most bland and forgettable characters ever created for the franchise.

The Last Jedi is the best Star Wars film since Return of the Jedi.