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Ranking the Star Wars films — Page 91

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L.P. Hovercraft said:

yotsuya said:

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:

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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…

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.”

You probably don’t recognize me because of the red arm.
Episode 9 Rewrite, The Starlight Project (Released!) and ANH Technicolor Project (Released!)

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TV’s Frink said:

L.P. Hovercraft said:

still not really for me or my post 18-35 year old age demographic.

So it’s not for anyone over 35…

Sounds reasonable.

Ok, 18-35 may be an exaggeration on my part.
Though I do think TFA was made as a reboot for younger casual viewers who were either burnt out on SW from the prequel trilogy and those who haven’t seen a big event non-prequel Star Wars flick in a theater since 1997 (or ever). I reckon it was really meant more to hook younger people and the OT call backs were thrown in just to satisfy us old OT fogies still remaining. Fans over 35 who were alive during the original runs would probably be happy to just see a re-release of the OT in theaters but with the whole SE/GOUT schism it may have been easier to shuffle some plot elements around, create new characters and reboot the series. I may change my mind on all of this depending on whether or not Luke rides around on Rey’s back during a training montage in the next one though.

Snip, Snap, Snorum…Hey, Kak, Kalorum!

Channel 73 WODS-TV

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I just found this ranking:

The Force Awakens - 3.5/5
Rogue One - 3.5/5
The Empire Strikes Back - 3/5
Star Wars - 2.5/5
Revenge of the Sith - 2.5/5
Return of the Jedi - 2/5
Attack of the Clones - 0.5/5
The Phantom Menace - 0.5/5

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NeverarGreat said:

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.”

Agreed, it’s still really too early to judge TFA until the next two are finished. Though if good ol’ Luke Skywalker ends up as the big twist villain in this ST I think I may just be done with SW!

I just kind of hate how Han went out in VII without a scene with the three OT principals together and now VIII will probably be Leia’s final appearance (pending a recast). I’m really curious to see how Luke is portrayed in TLJ and if he even lives to IX.

Snip, Snap, Snorum…Hey, Kak, Kalorum!

Channel 73 WODS-TV

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Handman said:

I just found this ranking:

The Force Awakens - 3.5/5
Rogue One - 3.5/5
The Empire Strikes Back - 3/5
Star Wars - 2.5/5
Revenge of the Sith - 2.5/5
Return of the Jedi - 2/5
Attack of the Clones - 0.5/5
The Phantom Menace - 0.5/5

  1. TFA: this is the Disney movie that made the most money, so it’s the best! go Disney!
  2. R1: this is the Disney movie that made the second most money, so it’s the second best! go Disney!
  3. ESB: everyone says this is the best Star Wars movies, so let’s put this next after the Disney movies.
  4. SW: everyone says this is the second best Star Wars movie, so let’s put it #2 after the Disney movies.
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Handman said:

I just found this ranking:

The Force Awakens - 3.5/5
Rogue One - 3.5/5
The Empire Strikes Back - 3/5
Star Wars - 2.5/5
Revenge of the Sith - 2.5/5
Return of the Jedi - 2/5
Attack of the Clones - 0.5/5
The Phantom Menace - 0.5/5

Where did you find that? Reads as someone who doesn’t particularly like Star Wars.

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My Quality list

  1. Empire
  2. A New Hope
  3. Rogue One
  4. ROTJ
  5. ROTS
  6. Force Awakens
  7. TPM
  8. ATOC

My Personal Favorites List

  1. The Phantom Menace
  2. The Empire Strikes Back
  3. Revenge of the Sith
  4. Rogue One
  5. Return of the Jedi
  6. A New Hope
  7. The Force Awakens
  8. Attack of the Clones

After being beaten and battered by prequel hate, I promise not to be that to the next generation.

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L.P. Hovercraft said:

TV’s Frink said:

L.P. Hovercraft said:

still not really for me or my post 18-35 year old age demographic.

So it’s not for anyone over 35…

Sounds reasonable.

Ok, 18-35 may be an exaggeration on my part.
Though I do think TFA was made as a reboot for younger casual viewers who were either burnt out on SW from the prequel trilogy and those who haven’t seen a big event non-prequel Star Wars flick in a theater since 1997 (or ever). I reckon it was really meant more to hook younger people and the OT call backs were thrown in just to satisfy us old OT fogies still remaining. Fans over 35 who were alive during the original runs would probably be happy to just see a re-release of the OT in theaters but with the whole SE/GOUT schism it may have been easier to shuffle some plot elements around, create new characters and reboot the series. I may change my mind on all of this depending on whether or not Luke rides around on Rey’s back during a training montage in the next one though.

I know plenty of the over-35 crowd, including my wife and I, who thought TFA was great.

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★★★★★

  1. The Empire Strikes Back DESPECIALIZED
  2. Star Wars DESPECIALIZED
  3. Return of the Jedi DESPECIALIZED
  4. Rogue One
  5. The Force Awakens
  6. Rebels (animated tv show)
  7. Ewoks (animated tv show)

★★★★
8. Droids (animated tv show)
9. Caravan of Courage (tv movie)
10. The Battle for Endor (tv movie)

★★★
11. Star Wars Holiday Special
12. The Phantom Menace
13. Attack of the Clones
14. Revenge of the Sith

★★
15. The Clone Wars (animated tv shows/movies)


16. A New Hope SPECIAL EDITION
17. The Empire Strikes Back SPECIAL EDITION
18. Return of the Jedi SPECIAL EDITION

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rodneyfaile said:

★★★★★

  1. The Empire Strikes Back DESPECIALIZED
  2. Star Wars DESPECIALIZED
  3. Return of the Jedi DESPECIALIZED
  4. Rogue One
  5. The Force Awakens
  6. Rebels (animated tv show)
  7. Ewoks (animated tv show)

★★★★
8. Droids (animated tv show)
9. Caravan of Courage (tv movie)
10. The Battle for Endor (tv movie)

★★★
11. Star Wars Holiday Special
12. The Phantom Menace
13. Attack of the Clones
14. Revenge of the Sith

★★
15. The Clone Wars (animated tv shows/movies)


16. A New Hope SPECIAL EDITION
17. The Empire Strikes Back SPECIAL EDITION
18. Return of the Jedi SPECIAL EDITION

Interesting opinion to say the least. I do not think that the special edition changes made any of the OT films worse than the PT. Except for maybe a fanedited ROTS going head to head with the special edition of ROTJ. That would be a close one.

Return of the Jedi: Remastered

Lord of the Rings: The Darth Rush Definitives

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The only way the SE can be considered worse than the PT is by considering the fact that they were used to bury the OT.

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Which doesn’t pertain the the actual quality of the films but it’s his list so he can do with it as he pleases.

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darthrush said:

rodneyfaile said:

★★★★★

  1. The Empire Strikes Back DESPECIALIZED
  2. Star Wars DESPECIALIZED
  3. Return of the Jedi DESPECIALIZED
  4. Rogue One
  5. The Force Awakens
  6. Rebels (animated tv show)
  7. Ewoks (animated tv show)

★★★★
8. Droids (animated tv show)
9. Caravan of Courage (tv movie)
10. The Battle for Endor (tv movie)

★★★
11. Star Wars Holiday Special
12. The Phantom Menace
13. Attack of the Clones
14. Revenge of the Sith

★★
15. The Clone Wars (animated tv shows/movies)


16. A New Hope SPECIAL EDITION
17. The Empire Strikes Back SPECIAL EDITION
18. Return of the Jedi SPECIAL EDITION

Interesting opinion to say the least. I do not think that the special edition changes made any of the OT films worse than the PT. Except for maybe a fanedited ROTS going head to head with the special edition of ROTJ. That would be a close one.

If someone painted a picture of a turd (prequels), it might actually be a decent painting of a turd, but if you wiped poop all over the Mona Lisa (Original Trilogy), it wouldn’t be the same. It would make it much worse.

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ray_afraid said:

I guess I’d say:

  1. ESB & SW
  2. ROTJ & R1

Also, welcome L.P. Hovercraft! I like your list and little notes. Hope you stick around.

Thanks! I may chime in now and again.

Snip, Snap, Snorum…Hey, Kak, Kalorum!

Channel 73 WODS-TV

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Stellar Tier

-The Empire Strikes Back
-Star Wars

Good Tier

-The Force Awakens
-Return of the Jedi

Bad Tier

-The Phantom Menace
-Rogue One

Shit Tier

-Revenge of the Sith
-The Clone Wars
-Attack of the Clones

Reading R + L ≠ J theories

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Sounds reasonable. Not far from my ranking 😉 But I don’t think that Rogue one is really “bad“. Rather average.

“People who alter or destroy works of art and our cultural heritage for profit or as an exercise of power are barbarians”

“In the future it will become even easier for old negatives to become lost and be “replaced” by new altered negatives. This would be a great loss to our society. Our cultural history must not be allowed to be rewritten.” --George Lucas on March 3, 1988