With last week basically being Star Wars week, I had to make just one post about it. I can't believe that I haven't already made a post like this, but I finally am. If you read something I posted about two weeks ago, you already are aware of what my number one is, but I needed a post to detail all of it. Also, I would like to say that this is not purely favorite, or purely best, but a blend.
7. Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones
This film was just a depiction of how bad a Star Wars film could be. I don't HATE this film, and I don't think it's an atrocity with absolutely zero redeemable factors. Because it does. I'll list all two of those redeemable factors for you right now; Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan Kenobi, and the opening scene. The first twenty minutes included a pretty exciting chase through the skies of Coruscant, which tricked the viewer into thinking they were in for a good film, which was better than the first, which I will get to in just a moment. McGregor was a constant throughout the entire prequel trilogy, and is what most people enjoy the most. But this movie has laughable dialogue and terrible acting, with the exception of McGregor. Christensen is awful as Anakin and Natalie Portman is terrible as Padme, and the forced romance scenes are absolutely cringey. I just want to get to the good ones, but to sum it up, Attack of the Clones is difficult to watch.
6. Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace
Ah yes, the one with Jar-Jar Binks. If it weren't for the best lightsaber battle in the entire Star Wars saga, this film would be without a doubt the worst. The pod racing sequence was out of place, unnecessary, terribly shot, and had plainly horrendous uses of CGI. Young Anakin is incredibly irritating, and Liam Neeson looked like he had no idea what he was doing. All the actors were struggling to act to a green screen. While it may be normal now, but in 1999, filming in all green screen was strange and it was noticeably difficult for them. There's nothing I can say about Jar-Jar Binks that you haven't already heard, so I'm just gonna leave it at that. Similarly to Episode II, the acting and dialogue is pathetic. The CGI is also used terribly, with strange looking aliens and backdrops that are so obvious and overused. Practical effects have always been more fitting for this universe. Also, while However, I will watch this movie in anticipation of the Qwi-Gon Jihn and Obi-Wan Kenobi vs Darth Maul lightsaber battle every time, because it is without a doubt the best lightsaber battle in the saga. The fight choreography was incredible, and the stunt team did an excellent job. Most people on Star Wars day don't even watch this film, because it is completely irrelevant to the story of Anakin. If you watch the saga starting from Episode II, everything will make perfect sense. An unnecessary film with all the same crap from Episode II, but an amazing final action scene to edge out it's sequel.
5. Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith
Contrary to popular opinion, which says that this movie is just okay, I actually really enjoy Episode III. I think the PG-13 rating allowed for some darker scenes that haven't been present in other Star Wars films at the time of release. The opening sequence with General Grevious was pretty damn amazing, and it's nice to see there being SOME chemistry with McGregor and Christensen. The battles that take place through out this film are incredible and I have got to hand it to Lucas. It feels like Lucas only wanted to make this movie, but not the first two episodes. He wanted to tell the story of Anakin's turn to the dark side, not his trashy romance with Padme and Jedi training. Also, Darth Sidious slowly luring Anakin to the dark side by intriguing him by saying that he can save Padme was also really cool. Also, the final lightsaber battle between Obi-Wan and Anakin, paralleling Yoda and Sidious, accompanied by John Williams' masterpiece "Battle of the Heroes", one of my favorite Star Wars themes, was completely epic and is what everyone bought their ticket to see. However, there was still the bad writing with cringey acting that is just intolerable.
4. Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope
The four remaining films, or as some people call them "The Actual Star Wars Movies", have seen a spot on someone's top of the list. I have met people with Episodes IV, V, VI, and VII as their favorite Star Wars film, because honestly, all four of these films are flawless. A New Hope is one of the most ambitious films in history. It attempted what was unheard of at a time: a blockbuster franchise. Other than creating an entire genre, A New Hope introduced us to a plethora of lovable characters that people still buy action figures for nearly forty years later. With effects that still hold up to this day, this film is the reason why I am writing this, and influenced an entire generation of people. Without Star Wars, our world would be incredibly different from what we do have. Flawless in every category of filmmaking, but I do have one small gripe. The opening sequence with R2-D2 and C3P0 in the desert is a little slow, and took about 15 minutes to get going. But honestly, that's it.
3. Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back
What most people hold as one of the greatest films in history takes the bronze medal in my list of just Star Wars films. Yeah, I know. This film did everything that Episode IV did, but better in every way. It expanded it's characters, introduced Yoda, gave the biggest plot twist in cinema history (Sorry, M. Night Shyamalan.), had some of the most impressive action scenes of all time, and so much more. The Empire Strikes Back is a perfect film in every sense of the word. From music, to dialogue, to action, to writing, to development, there is nothing to nitpick here.
2. Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi
I am astonished how some people dislike Episode VI, or even hold it under Episode III. I have no clue where they are coming from, or maybe it's just me. Return of the Jedi, similarly to Episode V, was perfect. It had everything that you want in a perfect film. Well, why did I rank it above the holy Episode V? Well, The Battle of Endor is the best non-lightsaber fight in the entire franchise, the first hour with Jabba was a nice detour from the formulaic structure of the first two films, adds so much depth to the characters of Darth Vader, Emperor Palpatine, Han Solo, and Yoda, and was just more enjoyable than Episode V. It ended the franchise with an exciting, yet emotional finale.
1. Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens
Yeah, yeah, hate on me for being a child who doesn't appreciate the originals, I don't care, because The Force Awakens is my favorite Star Wars movie. If you want my complete thoughts on this film and why it's my favorite, here ya go . Basically, TFA is the most entertaining film I have ever seen, sports a villain who was more menacing than Vader himself in the first film, while still maintaining an emotional connection to the audience, had the best acting out of it's protagonist in Daisy Ridley as Rey, paid homage to the originals while creating a new exciting story, and had some of the most impeccable practical effects to date. Hate me all you want, but I love this movie more than the others.
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