Witty, Guileless, Deadpan K-2SO Firmly Takes Things in Hand in 'Rogue One'

BY VW

"DID you know that wasn't me?"

It is one of numerous memorable lines uttered by the android, K-2SO (Alan Tudyk), in "Rogue One: A 'Star Wars' Story" and the primary reason I pronounced the film amusing when asked my impressions by a colleague.

That colleague, I and the few other souls at a screening of the film a few days ago, I wager, are among the vast minority in the United States that had not seen it.

"Rogue One" is set immediately before the original "Star Wars," "A New Hope." It opens today in China. It opened several weeks ago in the United States and other countries. The film has made a gazillion dollars.

"Rogue One" is also the name of the ship that necessity dictates be parted from its rightful, reluctant Imperial owners. It is needed to transport the rebels/terrorists/freedom fighters to the planet housing a weapon of mass destruction known as the Death Star. Not surprisingly, it has the power to destroy an entire planet.

It was built under protest by Galen Erso Mads Mikkelsen, the research scientist father of Jyn (Felicity Jones), the female protagonist of "Rogue One." In an act of defiance, Galen embeds a defect that can disarm the Death Star.

The film is an account of a motley crew's – led by rebel captain Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) and including K-2SO and Jyn – efforts to disarm/destroy the weapon. I don't give anything away by saying the mission is successful.

Though I am predisposed to like "Star Wars" and all of its sequels and anthologies, I had only seen the original and "Return of the Jedi" before "Rogue One." To that end, I viewed the latter as a standalone film. It is on this basis that I find it amusing, thanks mainly to two characters. The aforementioned K-S2O and that of the warrior, Chirrut (China's leading action star, Donnie Yen).

Baze Malbus (Jiang Wen) and Chirrut Îmwe (Donnie Yen) are brothers in arms in "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story." Photo courtesy of Lucasfilm Ltd.

Chirrut is a marvel. How anyone can perform the death-defying feats he does is indeed – to invoke a much overused word – amazing! Incredible! Unbelievable! Or, because he is blind, all can be explained by his mantra: "I am with the Force and the Force is with me."

But it is K-2 who has the best lines in the film and steals the show. A bald, black, brilliant gangly affair more than 7 feet tall, he is patterned in part on Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew) in ferocity and as a sort of protege to Cassian as Chewbacca is to Han Solo (Harrison Ford). If you, like me, are such a one who prefers a little bit more dialogue, however, you will yearn for the merest utterances from K-2.

Directed by Gareth Edwards, "Rogue One" is almost wall-to-wall action. My estimate is that it is 94 percent action and 6 percent dialogue. Quite spectacular action really. And inspired sets.

Of course, the "Star Wars" movies are known for their engaging androids. Yet K-2 has a certain je nais sais quoi. Further, because there is such a vast difference in the action-to-dialogue ratio in "Rogue One," when anyone talks, especially K-2, you will listen.

His best line is something like, "I just rescued you." It comes after he gives Jyn a smackdown, a lightning-quick response to her escape attempt from the captors who will soon become her allies. It is really quite funny.

The occasions on which he discloses the percentage probability of success or failure of any given element of the mission are usually smirk-worthy.

When K-2 calculates the probability of the crew surviving in space in the event of a crash, he asserts matter-of-factly to the cabin at-large that no one will survive, "except for me. I can survive in space."

It is he who commanded my attention during the film. K-S2's observations were something to look forward to; a respite from the monotony of the action sequences.

"Rogue One" does end on a surprising note, which is especially relevant now. I won't give it away, except to say it has nothing to do with K-2 and is of royal proportions.

"Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" is rated PG-13 for extended sequences of sci-fi violence and action; visit www.starwars.com/rogue-one/ to learn more about the film.

Keeping a Revolution Alive in 'Repentance'

Nicole Ari Parker and Forest Whitaker in "Repentance." Photo courtesy of CodeBlack Films.

A quiet, welcome revolution going on in Hollywood continues with “Repentance.”

The indie film starring Forrest Whitaker and Anthony Mackie, opens today in U.S. theaters. FW, one of the films producers, is Angel Sanchez. Angel is a deeply troubled man who reaches out in his hour of deepest need to AM's Thomas Carter, a repurposed self-help guru and best-selling author. Angel is a huge fan of Thomas'. (See video below).

The revolutionary aspect of “Repentance” is that it is the latest film featuring black actors in atypical roles. This is a Southern gothic thriller that looks to be set in Louisiana. Again, as is the case with “About Last Night,” “The Best Man Holiday,” “Lee Daniels' The Butler” and “42” – to name four – blacks are increasingly being featured as “normal people.” That is, as relatable folk with character traits beyond abject poverty, persistent crime and base buffoonery.

“Repentance is also the second release of CodeBlack Films, film company that was born of the collaboration of Jeff Clanagan's CodeBlack Enterprises and Lionsgate Films. CodeBlack Enterprises produces urban entertainment and Lionsgate wants a piece of the lucrative urban market, so hopefully it will be a match made in heaven. Note that urban means black and possibly Hispanic, too.

JC, a former concert promoter who worked with acts such as The Isley Brothers and LL Cool J, is on the record stating that a major goal of his growing CodeBlack business is to present programming that casts blacks in a positive light. Of course, time will tell and there is no reason to disbelieve him. His company is also behind the directorial debut of Lee Daniels, “Shadowboxer” and last year's critically-received indie effort, “The Inevitable Defeat Of Mister And Pete.”

Buffoonery and ghettoism take a holiday in “Repentance,” not that these things don't exist amongst black folk. It's just that black folk are so much more than these caricatures. They are like a pie with many slices, not just two or three. Indeed, blacks are people, too. This cannot be reiterated enough as long as stereotypes feed disgust and discrimination of a group of people.

In “Repentance,” Angel is a man who is haunted by a woman who may or may not be a ghost. Understandably, his wife Sophie (Nicole Ari Parker) is concerned and estranged from him. Meanwhile, Thomas has a new lease on life after a near-death accident. He also has a loving, support wife in Maggie (Sanaa Lathan), as well as a ne'er-do-well brother, Ben (Mike Epps).

Fans of the thriller genre will see in Philippe Caland's film more than a passing resemblance to “Misery.” FW's Angel comes across just as unhinged as Kathy Bates' Annie Wilkes. Similarly, AM's Thomas presents the voice of reason as does James Caan's author, Paul Sheldon.

As art, “Repentance” is a competent affair, if a bit loopy at times, mainly informed by FW's spirited performance. No one in “Repentance” need repent for a poor performance.

“Repentance” is rated R for violence including torture, and language; visit http://www.codeblack.com/seekrepentance/ to learn more about the film.

'Lee Daniels' 'The Butler' A Dignified Snapshot on History

"IT'S not a movie; it's a movement," Lee Daniels asserted recently at a press conference promoting his latest film, "Lee Daniels' The Butler."

The film chronicles the tenure of White House butler Eugene Allen (14 July 1919 – 31 March, 2010) who served seven presidential administrations from 1957 to 1985 - from Eisenhower to Reagan. This soft-spoken gentlemen, portrayed by "Forest Whitaker," witnessed a ton of American history unfolding in real time. The film opens in the United States today ... More shortly

"Lee Daniels' The Butler" is rated PG-13 for some violence and disturbing images, language, sexual material, thematic elements and smoking; visit http://www.weinsteinco.com/sites/leedanielsthebutler/ to learn more about the film.