An insight into the best Star Wars films
The Skywalker saga came to an end in December with the highly-anticipated release of “The Rise of Skywalker.” As a life-long fan of this film series, here is my ranking of the nine episodes of “Star Wars” from best to worst.
1. “The Empire Strikes Back”
Although highly undisputed by “Star Wars” fans, “The Empire Strikes Back” is the best of the Skywalker saga. The Battle of Hoth starts this movie with a snowy bang, and the “father” of all plot twists finishes it perfectly. The beginning of Han and Leia’s fiery relationship, Yoda’s training on Dagobah and Lando Calrissian’s entire character take this film to the very top.
2. “A New Hope”
The film that started it all is a classic that deserves its place near the top of the list. The impact “A New Hope” had on modern culture speaks to the quality of this film. From beginning to end, this movie is exciting and introduces a new universe, new characters, and a new story that has lasted decades. Luke Skywalker looking into the binary sunset with “The Force Theme” in the background is an iconic image able to touch fan’s hearts in a way that makes Star Wars so special.
3. “The Last Jedi”
I’m fully aware of how controversial this ranking is, but I stand by my love for “The Last Jedi.” This movie was refreshingly different in a way that “The Force Awakens” missed, but it still had indisputable “Star Wars” energy. Holdo jumping into lightspeed directly into the First Order and Kylo Ren turning against his master were unpredictable scenes that carried the story of the sequel trilogy into new territory. The Battle of Crait is my all-time favorite battle scene in the Skywalker saga with beautiful visuals and exciting twists. There is clear character development for the main trio, and this film gave a powerful look into the politics of war and moderatism. This film does have a few unnecessary scenes and conflicts that bring it down in the ranks, but it deserves a place near the top.
4. “Return of the Jedi”
When I was a kid, I would watch the first half-hour of this movie almost every day. Luke Skywalker pulling up to Jabba’s palace in his all-black fit, Leia and Han’s reunion and an exciting escape from the Sarlacc pit opened the final installment to the original trilogy in the perfect way. When Luke Skywalker flips back onto the ship after jumping into the pit and catches his lightsaber, my child mind was blown. This is the movie that hooked me on “Star Wars,” and that scene continues to be one of my favorites of all time. Slave Leia and the Ewoks bring this movie down the ranks, as well as unnecessary Han and Leia drama that could be easily solved with communication. However, in addition to its amazing opening, this movie is able to finish out the original trilogy with a satisfying ending that keeps the original trilogy as the most cohesive and the most entertaining of the three.
5. “The Force Awakens”
As the first installment to the sequel trilogy premiering in the prime of my life, this movie holds a special place in my heart. It introduced a new, diverse cast led by a strong and powerful, yet kind, force-sensitive female. My problems from this movie arise as it follows the plot of “A New Hope” very closely. It also crushed my child heart by confirming that Han and Leia did not live happily ever after. Regardless, the movie is entertaining and opened a whole new era of “Star Wars” that diversified the universe and opened a new story for the Skywalkers for a new generation. Also, Poe Dameron.
6. “Revenge of the Sith”
This movie has bad writing, bad computer-generated imagery and bad acting. However, the cultural impact of this movie is unmatched. Have you ever recited the entire scene on Mustafar? Can you ever think of replying to someone saying, “Hello there” with anything other than, “General Kenobi”? Prequel memes have turned this horrible movie into a cultural masterpiece. It also has a much more compelling story than its prequel predecessors and provides “Star Wars” fans the much-awaited introduction of Darth Vader for the original trilogy. However iconic this movie is for meme culture, the deleted scene in which Anakin speaks droid drops this to the bottom of the list because it is just too ridiculous. (And if you’ve never seen it, look it up right now. It will ruin your life forever.)
7. “The Rise of Skywalker”
This movie was the most unsatisfying ending for the Skywalker saga. It discarded the story and the character development from “The Last Jedi” and created a fanservice ending for the sequel trilogy that had no impactful messages or story. The writing is subpar as the story manages to be contradictory and predictable at the same time. Only a few scenes took this one from the bottom for me. When Luke pulls the X-wing out of the ocean and when the Jedi of old come to be with Rey during her final battle were moments that called back to the original saga in a meaningful way. As a whole, however, this movie was disappointing and was not a cohesive ending for the Skywalker saga.
8. “The Phantom Menace”
This movie is literally about taxes. Darth Maul is the only thing that lifts this one from the bottom.
9. “Attack of the Clones”
This movie falls to the bottom of the list with all the usual writing and CGI problems of the prequels in addition to a heavy focus on romance that makes viewers uncomfortable. Padme having her shirt ripped open in the arena scene to give her a slave Leia moment. The floating pear scene. Mace Windu in general. (“This party’s over”? So is this movie. I’m turning it off.)
*All photos are courtesy of LucasFilms/Disney Inc.
— darcy.ritchie@aggiemail.usu.edu
@darcyrrose