Reader's Companion Guide for Rogue One Reader's Companion Guide Rogue One | Page 5

O UR CU LTU RE
The Star Wars saga dates back to a time when movies offered little in the hope of a bright future. When the original Star
Wars film was released in 1977, the world was in a cold war, the Vietnam war had just ended, an oil embargo was in full
swing leading to a fuel crisis, inflation was rampant and the magic of Hollywood had all but disappeared in favor of
tragic love stories and dreary war films. Enter Star Wars. Star Wars hit the screen in May of 1977 and with it, brought
back the magic and wonderment that Hollywood cinema had once been known for. With new technology in hand, the
special effects provided the audience with a fully believable space adventure allowing them a departure from a world of
dire reality. For this, the film’s popularity surprised even its creators in its ability to attract audiences of all ages, races
and nationalities quickly sending it to one of the most viewed and revered films of all times. Its simple message of hope
in a time of turmoil ensured its integration into the world’s popular culture.
Rogu e O ne
Flash forward to 2016, and the release of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Cinema has changed greatly since the release of
the film that ushered in the prevailing use of special effects in film making. Today many films rely greatly on the use,
and in many cases the overuse, of special effects and computer technology. Centered in fantasy, far off worlds and times
that can over tax the imagination, today’s films seem to center themselves around the available technologies in special
effects and not around a viable storyline. However, and cleverly enough, Rogue One actually thwarts the practice of
today’s sci-fi film production. As Star Wars once contradicted the films of its day, Rogue One contradicts the films of today
by offering a gritty war film with realistic and believable locations relying significantly on practical effects all while
seamlessly placing the special effects in the background of the film. Also, its storyline – the heroes die. Although their
mission is accomplished, the heroes of the story do not survive the overwhelming odds against them as they have in all
previous Star Wars films and the heroes of today’s genre of sci-fi fantasy. Again, breaking ground by creating a film that
reverses the audience’s expectations of today. No “Hollywood” ending here.
W hy St u dy Ro gu e O n e: A Sta r Wa rs Sto ry?
As a fan of the saga, why not? If you enjoyed the film, then the book will take you even further (as books often do).
Alexander Freed’s novelization of the film is well-written offering deeper insight into the characters’ emotions and
motivations. Further details and explanations are also offered in the novelization that were seemingly put there to help
prepare fans for upcoming stories in the saga. As Galen Erso foreknowingly planted the exhaust port weakness in the
construction of the Death Star, Alexander Freed planted many details in the book that will most likely be exploited in
future tales from the galaxy far, far away.
Ho w to pr oce e d:
Simply read each chapter in the book for as thorough an understanding as possible (paying special attention to
vocabulary, expressions, slang and grammar along the way.) Then once you’ve completed the chapter answer the
corresponding questions in the book. Answering the questions should be easy, but if you find questions that are difficult,
simply go back to that chapter and reread wherever necessary so that you can easily respond to the question. All answers
are in the book and the page numbers at the end of each question.
You may write your responses in this booklet, or you may want to copy them into your own notebook. There are many
blank writing journals available for sale ranging from simple to fancy.
Th e m ost im port ant!
The most important thing is to enjoy what you read. If the story fascinates you and piques your imagination, then
learning becomes innate.
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