Rogue One: First reactions say it's 'even better than The Force Awakens'

The first of the Star Wars anthology films explores the stealing of the Death Star plans mentioned in the opening crawl of A New Hope

Star Wars fans have been waiting patiently a year for this, and not without a touch of trepidation.

Rogue One marks the first of Disney's ambitious set of spin-off anthology films, this first entry following a wayward band of Rebel fighters brought together for one improbable mission: steal the plans for the Death Star.

These events, of course, directly link into the first scenes of A New Hope; when Princess Leia is seen concealing the plans in R2-D2 before she's captured by the Galactic Empire.

It's been something of a risk for the studio, with the film's self-advertised gritty, war film tone an important step outside of what's come before; a crucial move in expanding the possibilities of what a Star Wars film can be ahead of the likes of the upcoming young Han Solo spin-off.

Well, there's good news aplenty to be found at the film's world premiere, with the first official reactions hailing Rogue One as a triumphant addition to the franchise; perfectly fitting in while providing both treats for hardcore fans, and blockbuster delights for the uninitiated.

The film largely centres around Felicity Jones' Jyn Erso: a criminal misfit who becomes entangled in the Rebellion's ambitious, and resolutely dangerous, schemes. Donnie Yen, Diego Luna, Jian Wen, Forest Whitaker, Alan Tudyk, Riz Ahmed, Mads Mikkelsen and Ben Mendelsohn also star.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story hits UK cinemas 15 December.