Disclosure:  Disney provided me with a product to facilitate this post.  The words and opinions expressed in this review are strictly of my own.

The anticipation is over!  Lucasfilm’s “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” has made its way home on Blu-ray™ Combo Pack, DVD and On-Demand today (April 4^th)!  The epic movie is the first of the Star Wars standalone films and was an enormous hit with fans, becoming the seventh highest-grossing film of all time in the U.S.

Loaded with never-before-seen “Rogue One” bonus material, the Blu-ray™ Combo Pack is a must have for new and seasoned Star Wars enthusiasts.   The bonus material offers fans an exciting behind the scenes look at the dynamic cast and team of filmmakers.  The audience gets an intimate collection of the cast’s Star Wars movie making experience along with special insights on how the film came to life.  Also, included in the bonus material release are cool Easter eggs and film facts that fans might have missed at the theater.

Here is more information about the bonus material…

Bonus features include*:

• A Rogue Idea – Hear how ILM’s legendary VFX wizard John Knoll came up with the movie’s concept and pitched it to producer Kathleen Kennedy – and why it’s the right film to launch the Star Wars standalone films.

• Jyn: The Rebel – Get to know the defiant, resourceful survivor at the heart of “Rogue One,” and find out what it was like for actor Felicity Jones to bring her to life on-screen.

• Cassian: The Spy – Actor Diego Luna shares insights into his complex, driven character, who rises to heroic action through selflessness, perseverance and passion.

• K-2SO: The Droid – Explore the development of this reprogrammed Imperial enforcer droid, from initial pitch and character design to the scene-stealing personality and humor that actor Alan Tudyk brings.

• Baze & Chirrut: Guardians of the Whills – Go deeper into the relationship between these two very different characters, and examine their essential contribution to the team, with Chinese superstars Jiang Wen and Donnie Yen.

• Bodhi & Saw: The Pilot & The Revolutionary – Actors Forest Whitaker and Riz Ahmed reflect on Saw Gerrera, broken leader of the rebellion’s extremist faction, and Bodhi Rook, the Imperial cargo pilot whose defection sets the story in motion.

• The Empire – Meet a dangerous new adversary, the Director of Advanced Weapons Research for the Imperial Military … and cross paths once more with the most iconic villain of all time.

• Visions of Hope: The Look of “Rogue One” – The filmmakers describe the challenges and thrills of developing a bold new look for the movie that can fit within the world of the original trilogy.

• The Princess & The Governor – See what it took to bring the vibrant young princess of “Star Wars: A New Hope” – as well as one of her most memorable foes¬ – back to the screen.

• Epilogue: The Story Continues – Filmmakers and cast celebrate the premiere of “Rogue One” – and look forward into the future, to the Star Wars stories yet to be told.

• Rogue Connections – Uncover Easter eggs and film facts hidden throughout the movie that connect “Rogue One” to the Star Wars universe.

* Digital bonus offerings may vary by retailer.

About “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”

In a time of conflict, a group of unlikely heroes band together on a mission to steal the plans to the Death Star, the Empire’s ultimate weapon of destruction. This key event in the Star Wars timeline brings together ordinary people who choose to do extraordinary things, and in doing so, become part of something greater than themselves.

Cast and Filmakers

“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” is directed by Gareth Edwards and stars Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Ben Mendelsohn, Donnie Yen, Mads Mikkelsen, Alan Tudyk, Riz Ahmed, with Jiang Wen and Forest Whitaker. Kathleen Kennedy, Allison Shearmur and Simon Emanuel are producing, with John Knoll and Jason McGatlin serving as executive producers. The story is by John Knoll and Gary Whitta, and the screenplay is by Chris Weitz and Tony Gilroy. “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” opened in U.S. theaters on December 16, 2016.

The Best Star Wars Yet?

Is this the best Star Wars yet?  I think so!  I’m a lifelong Star Wars fan and I must say Rogue One: A Star Wars Story was the best I have seen thus far.  It has a different feel!   The movie offers die-hard Star Wars fans the answer to how the spies obtained the plans to the Death Star. Plus, it has some familiar faces (with CGI) from the past while offering new fans a fresh edgy, modern play on the storyline without having to know the saga.   Rogue One: A Star Wars Story lives up to every bit of the hype you may have heard and a must own for your collection!

Spoilers!

Notable Easter Eggs and Cameos

There is plenty of Easter Eggs throughout the movie, including a scene with Cornelius Evazan and Ponda Baba.  Fans will remember these are the two menacing characters from Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977) who were at Mos Eisley Cantina and received a Jedi whooping from Obi-wan Kenobi.  If you watch closely you will even notice an Imperial probe droid inspired by Empire Strikes Back floating in the background.  Lots of fun tidbits to discover in the film!

Rogue One features several cameo appearances.  Some of them are big (in your face) while others might be harder to spot.  Easy to spot–R2-D2 and C-3PO are shown quickly towards the end of the movie, as well as a young-looking CGI Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia.  Additionally, an amazing CGI of Grand Moff Tarkin was obvious!  Harder to spot connections include the alien Mennis Duren, named after legendary ILM effects wizard Dennis Muren and the mention of Hera Syndulla from Disney’s Star Wars Rebels.  The film moves fast and you probably would have to watch it repeatedly to catch all the hidden fun facts.

Darth Vader

The biggest and greatest scenes in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story featured Darth Vader.  I could not get enough of the Dark Lord of the Sith in Rogue one!  He was meaner, and more epic in this movie than any other.  In scene 27 Mustafar you get a glimpse of Vader emerging from his tank to meet with Director Krennic.  Lord Vader is less than patient with Krennic’s groveling and demands.  As he walks away, Vader places an impressive choke hold on Krennic and says “Be careful not to choke on your aspirations, Director.” It was one of the BEST moments of the film!  The only element Rogue One lacked was more scenes with Vader!

K-2SO

You can’t mention Rogue One: A Star Wars Story without giving huge props to K-2SO (Alan Tudyk).  The “anti C-3PO” stole the show!  He is a reprogrammed Imperial Droid with no filter!  Witty, comical, helpful at times, and rebellious—K-2SO does NOT follow orders and has free will.  K-2SO is my favorite character!

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