Eight years ago today, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story arrived in cinemas, giving the Star Wars franchise not only its first anthology film, but also the best live-action Darth Vader we've seen since his debut in the original trilogy. Vader is one of pop culture's most recognized and revered villains of all time, and the original Star Wars trilogy is to thank for that. His return to the big screen in Rogue One It was therefore a widely celebrated event – mainly because of the film's most brutal scene.
Now dubbed the “Vader hallway scene”, the ending of Rogue One allows Vader to be the terrifying Sith villain he Star Wars prepared him for his first confrontation with the rebels. Audiences are just processing the deaths of Rogue One's titular crew when Vader manages to start chasing down the Rebels who have plans for the Death Star, and after trapping them in a hallway, he plows his way through them like they're nothing. . This brutal attack has since become revered as Vader's best live-action scene among fans, and this is why.
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Rogue One showed why Darth Vader should always be feared
His brutality was on full display
While Vader incited fear in the original Star Wars trilogy by simply appearing in his imposing mask and costume, the true extent of his strength wasn't much on display. His lightsaber fight with Obi-Wan Kenobi in A New Hope It's a far cry from what lightsaber battles have become nowadays Star Warsand the most brutal thing he does is choke people to death – and cut off his own son's hand. While these are certainly frightening examples of his powerful rage, they pale in comparison to what Rogue One shown in Vader's hallway scene.
This scene in Rogue One was just one of many that showed why Vader truly was a villain to be feared. The way he cuts through the rebels is simply terrifying, evidenced by how desperate these rebels were to try and get the stuck door working again. There are, however, other scenes in Rogue One where Vader is also imposing himself. His brief conversation with director Orson Krennic shows the Vader Force suffocating the Imperial officer for simply being too proud. Vader was truly a man to be feared, and Rogue One proved this easily.
Rogue One raised the bar for Darth Vader… Can Star Wars match that?
They have already come very close
Star Wars It hasn't quite reached that standard for Vader thus far, although in all fairness he's only appeared in two TV shows since his debut. Rogue One appearance. There is certainly something to be said for his role in Obi Wan Kenobias Vader's tour of the village in Mapuzo was simply terrifying, but even that wasn't the same as seeing Vader in full action with his red lightsaber. Still, with Obi-Wan himself being the protagonist, we all knew deep down that Vader wasn't a true threat to our main hero.
Star Wars may always be chasing to accomplish what they did for Vader in Rogue Onealthough I at least have faith that they can actually match this energy again. Should the opportunity arise for Vader to reappear on the big screen in a Star Wars movie, which is really the proper showcase for Vader's energy, so Star Wars have the chance to recreate the magic. Until then, Rogue One is more than worthy of a new look, especially with Andor Season 2 coming early next year.