May the 4th be with you! Yep, it’s Star Wars Day. I could talk about why this day is a thing, because I don’t get why a silly pun became a “holiday”, but nah I just thought of something even better! I’ve talked about the Star Wars movies here and there but never did an offical run down. Much like my last article it’s an idea long overdue, and now that the Skywalker arc is concluded the time has come.
Ever since 1977 the Star Wars movies have captured generations with there amazing blend of sci fi action and unforgettable characters. While it never had a place in my heart like Star Trek did, I did enjoy these movies. I had the toys and saw each on at least once in a theatre. One in a drive thru I think, remember those? So I decided it was about time to go over the nine main movies and discuss which one’s I liked the best to the worst. Yes I know there are a couple more films but I never watched Rogue One or Solo, not do I really want to.
The important thing to remember with this list is that I am not discussing which are the better films per se. This ranking is based on how mich I enjoyed these movies when I first saw them first in theatres and then over and over again later. Also, I did not re-watch any of these for this article so forgive me if my memory is fuzzy. And finally, as always, just opinion.
#9.Episode II-Attack of the Clones
It’s not easy to choose this or The Phantom Menace. So what makes this the one I hate the most? It’s just so damn boring. And forgettable. I hated this movie when I sae it and could count the numvber of times I rewatcjed it on one hand. What the heck even happens in it? The romance stuff I sorta remember, and the endless CGI of course. This is the one that left me completely empty.
#8.Episode I-The Phantom Menace
Don’t get me wrong, this movie is incredibly disapointing. And stupid. I watched it on DVD once and couldn’t make it through it. However, when I saw it in theatres the first time, I didn’t hate it. It was exciting to see Star Wars after so long and it did have one or two moments I liked. Like the scene where Obi Wan meets Anakin for the first time. And Darth Maul was sorta badass. I think I did the same as many, and refused to accept how awful this long awaited film was. Sadly the cons outweigh the pros such as that lusciously long pad race and of course jar jar (sigh)
#7.Episode IX-Rise of Skywalker
Yeah I went over this briefly a few weeks ago. To put it simply, while I did not hate this movie it did disapoint me. Everytime it tried to take a risk or do something daring, it totally reversed course. It could have been called Star Wars-Deux Ex Machina. The callbacks, the endless callbacks, were cute but did get a little riduclius. And the heavy scenes just didn't have the weight they should have had. And putting Palpatine in there was the definition of forced! There were good things in it. I did like that final scene, I don't get why people question Rey's choice there.
#6.Episode VII-The Force Awakens
This movie had so much going for it, and I wish it was lower on the list. I liked Rey and Finn. It was awesome seeing the old gang again, and of course that final scene of Rey giving the light saber to Luke was beautiful. Han’s death was predictable but well done. There was just one problem, and his name was Poe. Having him disappear for half the movie only to return in time for the climax was really stupid. I didn’t care about him or that last fight against the Death…Planet? whatever it was called (Starkiller Base). Even the final fight between Rey and Kylo Ren was empty because we knew it was only part one and we had a lot to learn about them. There’s a reason why Luke and Vader didn’t actually meet in the first movie!
#5.Episode V-The Empire Strikes Back
“I sense a great disturbance in the force. It was as if hundreds of souls cried out..that I have no idea what I am talking about”. Ok, I am not bashing the movie. It’s a great film. Easily the best or second best of them all. Why so high then? Well, it just never sat with me like the others. I think it may have been the same as “Wrath of Khan”, and I was just to young to appreciate it. I’ve seen it since, of course, and appreciate it now. I love Yoda, and of course the drama is defitnely upped from the first movie. And I even had all the toys based on the film I could get, in fact to this day when I see the movie all it does is remind me of those toys. I just remember feeling confused the first time and that has kind of stayed with me.
#4.Episode VIII-The Last Jedi
This was such a hard one to place, I can’t lie. For the most part, I really liked this movie. It continued from the first one, but also did its own thing. Ok it tried to do its own thing a little to much, which kind of killed it’s follow up, but I digress. I think it could have been up there wuth Empire legitametely if not for a few weird choices. What was up with that stupid side quest to the casino planet? Man that was lame. How did Leia super suction herself back to the ship like that? And yes what Luke does at the end could have been done better. Overall though, I liked this one. The stuff with Rey and Luke as just brilliant and the reunion in the end was wonderful. I also didn’t mind the way Like went out I thought it was fitting. Though seeing him come in on the tie fighter would have been epic.
#3.Episode III-Revenge of the Sith
It’s true, I kind of enjoyed the movie more than the others. Why? Good question. It’s the only one of the pre-quels that fels like an honest Star Wars movie. I like how they set everything up for A New Hope, even reconstructing some of the old sets. I thought Hayden Christiansen was ok, and his scenes after he is seduced were good. There is some problems, like the boring romantic talk and that lava fight that goes on waaayy to long. And why did Padme die again? And yes the fact Vader’s only line was to ask about his girlfriend annoyed me to. I don’t think the filmmakers realized how much we were waiting to hear that voice again. But for me finally getting to see how Anakin became Vader was satisfying enough.
#2.Episode IV-A New Hope
As you can guess, the top spots were very hard to fill. Actually the whole list was harder than I expected. Because for the most part, I did enjoy these movies. The reason this is here is because it’s the one that started it all. It does pretty much everything right. In fact it does it so well you almost forget that it’s just another “hero’s quest” story. The characters were fantastic and the action exciting. And that final death star fight still gives me the chills. Just beautiful. Why #2? Because as a kid, that first third or so of the film on Tatooine was boring. And since it took me until the actiom got going to like it, as a kid, I think it should be here. Of course as an adult I like it fine. This is a movie I can see a million times and never get bored by it.
#1.Episode VI-Return of the Jedi
I talked about this before but suffice to say, this is the movie that has the most special place in my heart. Because it was the best one? No, because when it came out I was around eight years old and was finally old enough to understand Star Wars and be interested. Anyone remember when it was supposed to be called “Revenge of the Jedi”? I loved this movie, from Leia’s golden bikini to the forest chase to that suspenseful end where Vader helps his son. And I even liked the Ewoks. Which makes sense since the Ewoks were targeting kids my age. I get why adults would have face palmed. Anyone else remember the two awful Ewoks TV movies? They were baaad. There are good things in this movie, in fact the talk Luke and Leia have before Luke turns himself over to Vader is one of my favorite movie scenes ever. It’s true it doesn’t quite have the weight of Empire and I get why that could be a turn off. And a second death star? Really guys?? Still this is the movie that wil always be the favorite for the nostalgic kid in me.
So how would you guys rank the films? Comment and let me know. For now, May the 4th Be With You!
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