Rogue One What was your reaction the first time seeing the Vader hallway scene?

Mmm, I feel like the space battle already gave me the sense of sacrifice on the part of the Rebels. Especially the part with the X-wings flying through the shield gate and getting themselves trapped on the other side. I don't think the Vader lightsaber massacre was needed for that.

 

I think it’s much more than that, though. It does four more things which make it both a unique coda for a blockbuster film, and a great transition to ANH.

1. It creates a seamless transition from the gritty war film that RO is, to the mythic film that ANH is. We’re moving from a world of soldiers and spies to a world of fiery sword-wielding demons and princesses in flowing white robes. And it’ll take someone special to deal with the next challenge. Such a perfect setup for Luke and the tone of ANH.

2. In that sense, it’s almost an allegory for the cultural and cinematic shift that happened with the advent of Star Wars. The realistic and often grim cinema of the 70s gives way to the more hopeful pulpiness of the 80s.

3. It’s just a visual masterpiece. Pure visual glory. Not “needed,” but this is why I come to the movies.

4. It’s unusual, but in a good way. Most modern blockbusters follow the same old formulas for endings. They never violate filmmaking 101 rules, such as “never end a movie with something that’s not directly concerning the main characters.” But when you’re a great filmmaker, you can break the rules and create something that stands out from the noise and the muck. Edwards did that here. The film ends with a one-two punch of sublime moments - first the heroic deaths by fire of Jyn and Cassian, and then the Vader scene ending in the shining symbol of hope that was Leia. JJ would have cut this sequence, and that’s partly what makes Edwards a better and more instinctual filmmaker.

I would have loved Rogue One without this scene. But its inclusion catapulted the film into the cinematic stratosphere. I suspect it will have an unimpeachable reputation in the future.

 

Yeah, but it'll never compare to the sheer beauty and epicness of the portal scene in Endgame. Don't you agree? Wait... look who I'm talking to! Feige's #1 fan! Of course you agree!

 

Not only does the Rogue One Vader scene totally and completely crush Endgame's Portal Scene, but I'd even say that the Bea Arthur scene from the Star Wars Holiday Special is much better than the Endgame Portal Scene. Much better. And no, I'm not joking. Not even a little bit.

 

You try too hard. It's obvious that you think Marvel rules, Star Wars drools.

 

The truth is that I'm typing this in my Avengers Assemble pajamas.

 

Aren't we all?

 

I actually tend to kinda-sorta agree with Bor on the Endgame stuff, but given he hasn't even seen the first Cap movie... Yeah, screw that guy.

The Johnston movie is more Lucasfilm than Lucasfilm. Have at thee, good sir!

 

I’ve seen it. I just give so little of a **** about Marvel that I forgot what it was called.

 

Oh, sorry! The truth is that I wanted the pink stars. Gives it that extra umph.

 

*Kicks Bor in the teste-satchel*

 

My reaction to every Vader scene in RO was, "That's not the guy in ANH."
The juxtaposition of James Earl Jones' very old voice and the combat efficacy in the hallway was alarming.

 

You were right. It wasn’t the guy from ANH. Totally different actor.

 

Bavid Drowse.

 

Voiced by Eames Jarl Eones.

 

My reaction was that I completely loved every single second of that scene, and I instantly knew that I had to watch that movie a couple of more times in the movie theater (which I did) and then play that scene over and over again when the movie comes out on other media. It is one of my favorite scenes in all of Star Wars, it made me feel like a teenager again, it gave a great little touch on a movie that had already impressed me, and it was beautifully made.

 

It was ESB Vader, just glorious.

 

What you said.

 

In walks death

 

Hate to say it, because it was cool as all get-out - and I blame some of this on the hype surrounding the scene for not blowing me away as maybe it would have otherwise - but my initial reaction was finding the lack of urgency on Vader's part to be odd. The dramatic entrance was actually a bit off-putting to me.

 

You're not alone. The scene is cool, but because I'd read SO much hype about it in advance, I guess my expectations were too high. As it was, I thought it was fine, but I didn't really get why people were so crazy about it. It probably would have worked better if I'd gone in spoiler-free. That's always the danger with over-hyping things.

 

As much as I enjoy the hallway scene, I kind of agree. I've seen a fan-made edit of it leading into ANH, and the shift in tone felt weird. ANH is after the plans have gotten out, so you'd think that'd be the better time to show Vader mowing down Rebels, whereas the end of RO would just be the stormtroopers and him walking out. The scenes feel they should be switched, IMO. But what can you do.