I do. It took me a few months to let myself acknowledge it, but yes. It’s an adult take on the Star Wars universe. It’s obviously much darker and violent, but it’s also much deeper. It’s not a feel good story, but it moves me more than Star Wars.

To me, that makes perfect sense. I’m not the 15-year-old I was in 1977, so a darker, more cerebral film should move me now. As an adult, I understand the cost and seriousness of this story the same way I understood rescuing the princess and flying an X-wing when I was a kid.

I’ll go one step further and say that the prologue of Rogue One is one of my favorite parts of the film. There is a darkness and seriousness that really speaks to me. Perfect in every way; acting, cinematography, story, music, etc.

For the record; It’s possible that decades of Lucas’ tampering and suppressing the 1977 film have finally taken their toll. Truth be told, I probably threw my hands up over it 10 years ago. Lucas won. I don’t have the desire for Star Wars 77 that I once had. The fact that Rogue One is nearly free of all things Saga makes it even easier to connect.

If Disney ever releases the 1977 film properly, I’ll buy it and watch it for sure. If they don’t, that’s fine too. I have the NPR for that story.