For me Star Wars was always about the Rebellion vs. the Empire.
True dat!
Unlurking for this very special 5/4, here’s one old SW fan’s ranking:
- Star Wars
If G-Lu had a heart attack and died in '77 and no sequels were ever made after the first film, I think SW would still be considered a classic today. A fun crowd pleasing popcorn film with some actual ideas percolating just underneath the surface.
- The Empire Strikes Back
Essential viewing. A very, VERY close second edged out only by being a darker, more mature sequel to the original. Best puppet acting in history.
- Return of the Jedi
Almost as good as the first two but just not quite there due to some shaky, half baked concepts (Death Star II, return to Tatooine, Lando and Han both get to live?!). I’m ok with the Ewoks but I think this one really misses the wisdom and insghtfulness of Gary Kurtz.
Big space here…
- Rogue One
From here on out none of the following movies are in the same league as the OT. RO is more how I sort of imagined the prequels could have gone–a return to the used, run down SW universe featuring brand new characters, albeit in stories not necessarily so tied to OT continuity. I don’t love it like I do the OT but I don’t actively loathe it either.
- The Phantom Menace
Ouch, you can’t go home again. The beginning of undead zombie Star Wars or SWINO as far as I’m concerned. Really should have only been bankrolled with a story by Lucas and directed by someone else with a little more piss and vinegar. The “best” of the three prequels but still all unnecessary back story better left untold. An absolute waste of Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan and CPY shits on real Yoda, but still the least offensive to OT characters/plot–except for demystifying the Force of course.
- The Force Awakens
Arguably a better made reboot/sequel than all three prequels but still not really for me or my post 18-35 year old age demographic. Still nice seeing some old familiar faces again though probably should have been made 30 years ago. New characters mildly interesting, though plot a bit of a reheated souffle. Basically, meh…fair to middling entry IMO, though in light of recent political events in the US, posesses the timely theme that old evils never truly disappear, they just change their brand name.
- Revenge of the Sith
The whole damn point of the entire prequel trilogy but after the first two I couldn’t really find the energy to give a shit anymore. Could have been brilliant but due to the shaky foundations of TPM, the tragedy of 'lil orphan Ani ended up wasted potential. Again the whole turn to the dark side and lava fight was probably better left untold. And again shits on Yoda.
- Attack of the Clones
The worst. Unnecessary filler to pad out an unnecessary trilogy that actually makes me hate OT characters Obi-Wan, Boba Fett, C-3PO, R2-D2, the Emperor, and myself for wasting my life watching and obsessing over this shit. Once again, Yoda is shat upon–he really never should have appeared in these films at all.
Still after all the CGI disappointment and greenscreen abuse, like a battered and bruised junkie spouse I remain a SW fan and look forward with (a new) hope to The Last Jedi.
Hovercraft out. May the Fourth be with you all!
Good list. I would only switch TFA and RO. I feel like TFA has the potential to climb (or fall) in people’s rankings quite precipitously with the release of TLJ, just as TPM fell in my estimation after the release of AOTC. And we won’t even mention Episode IX…
Trevorrow: “It’s just us now. Rian Johnson can’t save you.”