Ever since audiences read the opening crawl for the original Rogue One: A Star Wars Story that fans found out the real story behind this major victory for the Rebel Alliance.
Rogue One captures the classic themes of Star Wars while introducing intriguing new characters and building to a heart-stopping climax. The movie can stand on its own, but it also enriches the rest of the Star Wars universe. In order to celebrate the best parts of this film, it is worth taking a look at its most memorable and important quotes. These are the 10 best quotes from Rogue One.
", Whatever I Do, I Do It To Protect You."
Before young Jyn Erso experiences the tragic events that will shape the rest of her life, Galen Erso shares these important words with his daughter. They are at the heart of the film as everything Galen does is to protect Jyn or as he calls her, "Stardust."
He helps save Jyn's life when she's a child, and after he is taken by Orson Krennic, it seems that he is serving the Empire, but in actuality, he is building the fatal flaw within the Death Star. He stays true to his promise and tries to protect Jyn and the rest of the galaxy, and it's fitting to see Jyn later ensure that her father does not die in vain.
"Congratulations. You Are Being Rescued."
K-2SO wastes no time sharing his dry wit. The blunt and cynical way he delivers this line communicates a great deal about his character's essence.
It's a perfect introduction for a character who is hilarious, competent, and impressively self-aware. The way he "rescues" Jyn as she tries to escape also establishes her initially distrustful relationship with the droid, a relationship that later develops in an unlikely and beautiful way.
"Are You Kidding Me? I'm Blind!"
Humor is an important part of any Star Wars film. When Saw Gerrera's Partisans place a bag over Chirrut Îmwe's head, he delivers one of the most humorous lines in the film.
Chirrut's self-deprecating outrage of putting a bag over a blind man's head feels like comedic gold amid all the tense events unfolding on Jedha. Chirrut is a great character because he is profoundly wise and spiritual, but he's also able to laugh at himself and the absurdity of the world around him.
"It's Not A Problem If You Don't Look Up."
This is Jyn's response when Saw asks her if she can stand to see the Imperial flag reign across the galaxy. Jyn's response highlights the dangers of neutrality in the face of oppression. When someone refuses to take a stand against an oppressor, the oppressor only grows stronger. A lack of action and willful ignorance empowers the enemy and allows more injustice to occur.
Jyn thinks she can go about her life without directly combatting the Empire, and yet shortly after she utters these words, the Death Star fires on Jedha. The lives of Saw and countless others are annihilated and Jyn realizes that neutrality is no longer an option.
"Save The Rebellion! Save The Dream!"
Saw's rage and his frustration with ineffective bureaucracy transformed him into an extremist willing to take innocent lives in the name of rebellion.
It is crucial that in his final moments, Saw confronts these truths about himself. He lost his way, but that doesn't mean the Rebellion has to die. Through Jyn and many others, Saw's dream and the fire of righteous revolution will live on, and this time they will do things right.
"We Stand Here Amidst My Achievement. Not Yours!"
The rivalry between Director Orson Krennic and Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin is a perfect microcosm for the Empire. Instead of working together, Krennic and Tarkin are constantly trying to outperform one another and assert their respective brilliance and control.
When Tarkin witnesses the Death Star's potential for himself, Tarkin finds a way to snatch Krennic's lifelong work away from him and instead takes control and credit for the project himself. Krennic's response captures the tension of their rivalry and the outrage he feels in response to Tarkin's audacious move. The Empire doesn't value its individuals and this becomes even more clear later in the film as Krennic looks up and sees the Death Star--the project he dedicated his life to--about to fire on him and the Imperial base on Scarif.
"I'll Be There For You. Cassian Said I Had To."
What makes this line so great is that at first, it seems like a sweet gesture from K-2SO as he shows his for Jyn. He is ing Jyn and her plan, but he can't do it without being sarcastic and once again asserting that he's a reluctant participant in all these events.
Even though he tries to show that he's still emotionally distant from Jyn and all these proceedings, K-2SO's sincerity becomes abundantly clear when he sacrifices himself to help Jyn and Cassian retrieve and transmit the Death Star plans to the Rebellion.
"Be Careful Not To Choke On Your Aspirations, Director."
Some fans take issue with this The Empire Strikes Back.
Vader's line in Rogue One is a delightfully dark pun, one that makes it clear that he will always be superior to Director Krennic, along with foreshadowing Krennic being undone by his greed and ambition.
"Rebellions Are Built On Hope."
Jyn begins the movie as a cynical character focused on her self-preservation, yet she becomes someone who believes in the unifying power of hope. It's beautiful character development and a fitting line, especially considering that Rogue One is a prequel for A New Hope.
The unifying and uplifting power of hope is an essential theme throughout all of Star Wars. Through the actions of her father, Saw Gerrera, and many others, Jyn comes to understand the power of hope and uses it to pull off the seemingly impossible as she steals the Death Star plans and gives the Rebellion a chance to defeat the Empire and restore peace and justice to the galaxy.
"I Am One With The Force, And The Force Is With Me."
Chirrut's mantra is the best and most memorable line from Rogue One. There are no Jedi in the film, but that doesn't mean the Force isn't present.
Chirrut is empowered by his spirituality and his belief in the Force. This guides Chirrut through some of his most challenging moments. It's a powerful message that the Force can be with anyone and help guide them through any situation, regardless of whether or not they display traditional Force abilities.
