Years since the last movie came to theaters, the recent release of Episode VII, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, in 2015 garnered huge attention. Despite any criticism, the Star Wars franchise is up and running again, this time with a movie that fits chronologically in-between Episodes III and IV and fills an Episode IV plot hole.

Any fan who hears about a relatively stand-alone movie in a previously well-structured franchise may find themselves suspicious. However, if they go in with proper expectations, they will find that Rogue One: A Star Wars Story can stand well by itself, even if it doesn’t deliver perfectly in all areas.

As a movie unaffiliated with any previous ones, Rogue One would still be a decent movie. Full of action and adventure, a convincing heroine, an easy-to-follow plot, and good CGI, it may not become a favorite that is watched multiple times, but it delivers in theaters.

The plot follows Jyn Erso, whose father was taken when she was young and forced to work on building plans for the Death Star, a planet-destroying weapon. We meet her when she is older and assigned to find her father, and we are drawn into her story as we learn there is a built-in flaw in the Death Star. The movie then follows her and her gang of Alliance rebels through the galaxy to obtain the design. The sacrifices they make are set up to aid the greater cause, and ultimately our heroes of Episode III.

While the plot is engaging, the characters are missing some of the usual charm associated with other Star Wars movies. The many characters have relatively interesting personas, but are not allowed time to develop fully. The expected robot sidekick is lovable in his own way, but many of the “funny” lines given to him fall flat and seem inorganic. Other dialogue is not as gripping as it might have been, but this is an action movie after all.

George Lucas’ Star Wars universe is so broad and open to development that, for fans excited to see more in this world, Rogue One delivers. The designs are beautifully built into the Star Wars world without copying other movie’s designs, yet while staying consistent to the original vision. The new worlds are engaging without being distracting. And the CGI and technology that makes these scenes possible is nothing to scoff at. The scene at the end of the movie, with a recreated young Carrie Fisher, is admittedly not perfect and may put off viewers at the ending. However, it is amazing technologically, and many other effects are well-done.

This movie may not stand up to many recently-released blockbusters, but has still succeeded in the box office. Because of the world it is built into and the relatively solid story, it is an enjoyable story if one goes into the theaters ready to see an action-adventure Star Wars movie, not another Episode. The fan service in this movie should appeal to Star Wars fans that are able to embrace a movie that doesn’t hit the highs of the primary series, and other viewers can appreciate the moving plot and well-produced visuals.

Rogue One hit theatres December 16, 2016.