I finally watched Rogue One last night

[Hayabusa]

And it was pretty much what expected: characters and plots ripped off from better Legends (the now decanonized Expanded Universe), some parts that just made me scratch my head (an anti-personnel blaster is able to take out the knee armor of an AT-AT but a snowspeeder's laser cannons can't? A 100 meter corvette being able to push a 1,600 meter heavily armored Star Destroyer), but with some good visuals.

I will say one thing I did like: as an avid Star Wars RPG gamer, the movie looked straight out of some group's tabletop adventures.

[Initech]

1. Rogue One is really great when you watch the ending with the beginning of A New Hope.

They blend almost seamlessly.

[Hayabusa]

2. I did see the mash-up

and it was pretty good.

[Orrex]

3. One thing that was really predictable about it...

Even before the premiere date, people were howling about how unoriginal it was and how it ripped off everything and blah blah blah in the parade of totally original "I hate it more" commentary. I'm sure that your complaints are sincere and heartfelt, just like all the others, but IMO the endless quest for novelty is misguided and ultimately futile.

I can't think of a single movie that I've seen in my adult lifetime that was both completely original and legitimately entertaining, and if someone can cite an example to the contrary I'll be most grateful.

[Hayabusa]

4. My main point on the complaints is this:

On April 24 2014, Disney rebooted the entire 40 year old Expanded Universe in order to have "creative freedom" for their new franchise. Then I see the characters for Rogue One: a hotheaded newcomer to the Alliance who is handled by a top Alliance intelligence agent of the opposite sex (and romantic feelings develop between the two) in a mission to steal the Death Star plans and my mind immediately goes to Kyle Katarn and Jan Ors from Legends video games and novellas. Hell, Jyn Erso's name is very similar to Ors's, so much so that I don't believe their excuse of her being named after a relative of an author for a minute. General Draven from the same movie looks and has a similar name to Hiram Drayson, as well, an intelligence leader that is prepared to do morally questionable things to protect the Alliance.

I saw some similarities to the Death Star novel as well, especially with the ending.

[Orrex]

5. Perhaps, but consider:

I don't know a single person who's ever read two Star Wars novels except hardcore fans. And a very large percentage of the expanded universe is garbage beyond drek. By wiping that shit out of the canon, Disney now has the chance to adapt and re-canonize what was good while getting rid of the mountains of crap.

And if that means that elements of upcoming movies are reminiscent of the novels or series or comics or the like, then so be it.

[hunter]

6. If you are looking for a reboot that's truly horrible, an abomination, look at Star Trek.

I think Disney is doing Star Wars better than George Lucas was.

[Hayabusa]

7. I'll say both and do a little misblaming

just so I can call JJ Abrams the "Ruiner of Franchises."