Is It Necessary to Watch Rogue One or Solo: A Star Wars Story to Understand the Entire Franchise?

Nope. Although Rogue One and Solo: A Star Wars Story are two of the better movies in the franchise, they do not have to be watched in order to understand the story.

Neither is Necessary, but Should That Matter?

Rogue One adds little to the overall story that you don’t get from the two lines in the opening crawl of A New Hope. The supposed “plot hole” of the Death Star having a seemingly glaring flaw to exploit needed no explanation. In fantasy and mythological storytelling, a unnoticed “Achilles heel” for a seemingly unstoppable force is a common occurrence. Therefore, it didn’t need any further explanation than that. The hubris of the Empire in thinking their power is so absolute and overwhelming that they would overlook the tiniest flaw that could unravel their ploy is the very point of having that in the movie.

Before Solo, I was very much against the story of a young Han Solo. Part of the charm of the character was the fact that he was full of himself. You couldn’t and probably shouldn’t believe half or more of the things he says about himself. It adds to his roguish quality and helps define the dynamics between Luke and him and Leia and him. It didn’t matter if the Kessel Run story was true; Han’s really the only one who cared about that anyway. Why did we need to see the sabacc game with Lando over the Falcon when we knew all we needed when they met again on Bespin? Demystifying Han’s braggadocio can undercut the character and his arc, especially in A New Hope.

Necessity is Arbitrary

Necessity is a bit of an arbitrary term. The prequels aren’t necessary as there is little in them that genuinely impacts the setup or outcome of the story in the original trilogy. However, they do provide context that enriches the overall experience. The prequels open the galaxy up to further exploration and provide the opportunity to tell entertaining and compelling stories. The success of that is up for debate.

Rogue One and Solo as Enjoyable Stories

Rogue One and Solo are both enjoyable stories that recall the fun adventure nature of the original trilogy (OT). They aren’t necessary, but that doesn’t make them less engaging. They offer us continued looks into the galaxy far, far away and are entertaining in their own rights.

Fantastic Adventures in the Galaxy Far, Far Away

Both Rogue One and Solo are considered by many fans and critics as fantastic adventures in the galaxy far, far away. These films bring a fresh perspective and new elements to the Star Wars universe, such as new characters, locations, and storyline elements that enhance the overall experience of the franchise. They are a rich tapestry of storytelling that fans can explore and enjoy, even if they choose not to watch the prequels or other supplementary material.

Enhancing Fan Engagement

The addition of Rogue One and Solo in the Star Wars canon enhances fan engagement by offering new stories and insights into the galaxy. These films serve as a bridge between the original trilogy and the sequel trilogy, allowing fans to connect with Star Wars in different ways. While they are not strictly necessary to understand and enjoy the original trilogy, they do offer valuable context and enrich the overall experience for those who choose to watch them.

Enjoyment and Engagement

Ultimately, whether or not to watch Rogue One or Solo is a matter of personal preference. These films are enjoyable on their own merits and can be seen as standalone stories within the Star Wars universe. If you decide to watch them, you will find a wealth of adventures and character development that complements the existing films in the franchise. They offer a fresh take on the universe and provide new insights and emotional connections for fans.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while Rogue One and Solo are not necessary to understand the entire Star Wars franchise, they are enjoyable additions that enhance the galaxy far, far away. They offer a deeper look into the universe, provide new stories, and enrich the overall experience for fans. Whether you watch them or not, the core of the Star Wars story remains intact and engaging without them.