“Star Wars” is a fairytale. It is a fantasy universe filled with talking robots and iconic lightsaber scenes that leave minds wandering to a galaxy far, far away. Nearly 40 years after the original films, the series continues with the release of “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.”

I would hardly call this a “Star Wars” movie. It does not have the typical Good Guy versus Bad Guy storyline as shown in the episodic movies, but instead romanticizes the idea of war shown through the viewpoint of a female.

The film follows Jyn Erso, played by Felicity Jones, and a band of misfits on an adventure to steal the Death Star plans. There are enough space battles s to satisfy the typical “Star Wars” fan, but as generally seen in the films, not a drop of blood. The lack of guts and gore on screen is almost more powerful than the typical death. I am not distracted by the unnecessary amounts of blood, but instead focus on the character and their well-being.

The storyline itself is as dark as it is poetic–many critics are astonished Disney allowed the film to be so gritty. The film is the most realistic of the series, portraying not every character as a hero, but instead as a typical human forced to fight.

Though close, the film was not perfect. The first hour seemed to lag, and there were fewer lightsaber scenes than a dedicated fan might desire. The directors decided to incorporate the animated presence of past characters, making the film a prequel to “A New Hope.” Though obviously CGI, seeing cherished characters on screen was astonishing and a huge technological advancement.

Rich in action with a sentimental storyline, I left the theater with tears in my eyes and a sense of nostalgia. It is not only the best film in the “Star Wars” series, but in competition to become my favorite film in general.