Overall I enjoyed it despite having some issues with it.
They should have gone for a look alike with good make up effects, instead of uncanny valley.
I didn't like the CGI Tarkin or Leia. I too would rather have had a look alike or limited CGI Tarkin to shadows and relections.
Honestly, the one of the weirdest things to me, while I was watching it, was the console up at the top of the tower. Who would want to put that there? Then... I calmed down and thought about it for a moment, and realized, "you know what? This is just how things are built in the Star Wars Universe".
Heh. That gave me pause as well. I think it would have worked better if they hacked into it or something up top but your explanation is spot on.
Part of me was amused how the "party" really looked like a Star-wars RPG party - the force user (but not jedi), the heavy soldier, the scout, the rogue, the droid...
Definitely!
Also, her line there is now hilarious - "This is a diplomatic ship!", to which Vader clearly should have replied, "Senator, I just saw your ship detach from a Rebellion frigate in the middle of a warzone."
This part of the movie seemed off to me. I haven't tried to figure out whether or not it fits but it felt to me like they were trying too hard to connect the movies and it would have made more sense if there was off-screen passing of the plans to Leia and Tantive IV.
It sounds morose but I really liked that everyone died. I mean that's what life is, a series of down endings. It would have felt too upbeat and cliched if any of them escaped.
I loved the droid. ("Jyn. I'll be there for you. Cassian said I had to.")
I didn't think I'd like the blind force monk. I thought that archetype would be too much like a kung fu character or Daredevil and wouldn't fit into the Star Wars universe well but I really enjoyed him. I also liked his camaraderie with the guy with the big gun. That definitely hearkened to an RPG duo to me.
It didn't best the original trilogy for me but I liked it better than The Force Awakens (primarily because I thought TFA's plot was weak).
One of my favorite parts about Rogue One is that it's inspired my gaming group, who has become defunct due to new babies, people moving away from the area, and other familial responsibilities, to attempt an online FFG Star Wars Rebels-inspired game! Utinni!