The eleven live-action Star Wars films assessed by both a Star Wars fan and a filmmaker fan to see where (and if) those two viewpoints fuse together at any point. Having re-watched them all over a few days, they are all fresh and my thoughts have never been so singularly focused on this.
I will also drop my three favourite scenes from each film. 1-11.
1. The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Yoda lifting the X-wing, Luke vs Vader, Lando's betrayal
A flawless unity of fanbase and critics's support, this iconic sequel crafted the narrative and tonal boldness that all subsequent sequels aspired to. The strongest screenplay of the bunch, Luke's training on Dagobah gives the story its wisdom and spiritual magic whilst Leia and Han's blossoming romance during a staggered space chase gives it the emotional and action beats until Luke faces Vader. Great photography, John Williams at his peak and unforgettable lines.
2. Star Wars (1977)
The trench run, Obi-wan's house, Binary Sunset
Watching this it is impossible to think of it as an original film back in '77. Its imagination far surpasses the limitations of its occasionally hammy dialogue, and the striking designs and bombastic score all collide for a fantastical, near spiritual awakening (especially if a young boy). Its dated feel comes off as magnetically charming and it is totally wholesome too, able to seen and enjoyed independent of the others.
3. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
Vader's hallway massacre, destruction of Jedha, X-wings arrive at Scarif
The greatest accomplishment of the Disney era, Rogue One's brilliance stems from its unique gritty tone and visual magnificence. Perhaps the best shot installment of the franchise, director Gareth Edwards fills the story with ground-shaking action scenes, an engaging batch of original characters and the instantly beloved Battle of Scarif. With inventiveness to spare, the mesmerising third act is pure blockbuster, and the Vader lightsaber ignition is just...
4. Revenge of the Sith (2005)
Anakin vs Obi-wan, Order 66, the opening sky battle
This is when Star Wars fan overpowers filmmaking fan. It is far from the best made (extensive CGI backdrops are fatigue inducing and the script and acting is lackluster) but this always feels like the film George Lucas always wanted to make. With masterful editing paralleling numerous sequences, Lucas' Shakespearean tragedy is one of the most imaginative blockbusters: from Clone Turbo Tanks to flying Wookies, Mustafa to Utapau, Grievous to a lizard chasing a unicycle, this is a childhood defining film. From a LEGO perspective this is objectively the best film. Order 66 is heartbreaking and the highly anticipated lightsaber clash between Kenobi and Skywalker is as fierce as poignant as necessitated.
5. Return of the Jedi (1983)
Luke vs Vader, space battle of Endor, Vader's cremation
One of the more up-and-down films, ROTJ has its fierce defenders and it has its 'it's good, but weaker than the other two originals' naysayers. If Episode III is a darker and bolder trilogy capper, this third installment is safer, bringing more optimism and greenery to the proceedings. If the Jabba's Palace rescue plan makes very little sense, and the third act planning starts far, far too early, it is boosted by the final half an hour that is quintessential Star Wars. Luke's clash with his father and his subsequent declaration that he is a Jedi to the Emperor is the saga's greatest, purest moment. If it was Wookies instead of Ewoks, no CGI singing and dancing scene and Boba Fett wasn't so mistreated, then this would be higher up the list battling it out with Rogue One.
6. The Force Awakens (2015)
Millenium Falcon's flight, Resistance vs First Order on Takodana, Finn and Rey vs Kylo Ren
The safest Skywalker film by a considerable margin, of course TFA belongs slap bang in the middle of the list. It has a few inspired moments: a stormtrooper with a conscience, a desert scavenger sliding down a sand dune on a sled, Kylo stopping a laser bolt, Han using Chewie's bowcaster etc. But they are small moments rather than outright scenes. There is a lot left unsaid such as Anakin's lightsaber, why Max von Sydow had a piece of the map to Luke Skywalker and how the First Order grew such strength in the shadows of the New Republic. But its enjoyable enough, even if it does feel frustrating watching the familiar story and knowing where things lead (or don't) in its sequels. Too vanilla.
7. Solo (2018)
Kessel Run, Maul revealed, Han vs Beckett
If TFA was safe, then Solo makes it look positively original. Massively under-marketed and with box office takings, Solo is the definitive three star film. More interested in ticking off back story boxes than propelling a unique narrative, it nevertheless contains 'fine' effects, camera work, acting and characters. It is quite a dark film lighting wise, but the third act shenanigans are entertaining enough to keep this spinoff afloat. I would sooner watch one of the prequels of sequels than this again, but the filmmaking is objectively more cohesive and able so it hovers above its cohorts by the skin of its mundane teeth.
8. The Phantom Menace (1999)
The podrace, Duel of the Fates, Qui-Gon wins Anakin's freedom
As this list veers into openly bad territory, TPM is, bizarrely, the strongest of these final four notorious additions to the franchise. Jar Jar and Annie's annoyance has waned over repeat viewings whilst meme value has exponentially increased. If you can stomach some awfully dated effects, skin crawling dialogue and (unintentional?) racism, then it is easy to switch off and enjoy the exhilarating podrace with its immersive sound design, the masterful final lightsaber battle and its long term ramifications (watch Dave Filoni's breakdown of its importance) and Liam Neeson as Qui-Gon, a Jedi Master inhabiting a more impassioned, fatherly role model for Anakin. The Ned Stark of the saga, Qui-Gon's role casts a long shadow over the prequels.
9. The Last Jedi (2017)
Luke and Yoda's conversation, the Holdo maneuver, Snoke's death / Praetorian Guard fight
Enough has been said on Finn's wasted character in this film, the uselessness of his subplot with Rose, the blandness of Canto Bight, the laughable Rose 'rescue' at the end and the really awkward, irregular humour. But where my issues with this film is Luke. Rian Johnson makes Luke out to be a new Yoda or Obi-wan: a wizened master with a fallen apprentice who gives up hope in bringing them back. But unlike Yoda or Obi-wan, Luke proved that Darth Vader could return to the light, even after all his dark deeds. Luke has empirical evidence that people can be redeemed, Obi-wan did not. And Kylo Ren was only feeling the dark side, he had not been wiping out and torturing rebels and younglings alike. This grumpy Luke is non-canon as far as I am concerned. TLJ does have its moments: the cinematography, especially in the final hour, is breathtaking, the action scenes are equally shot well and the sound design is on point. There is also a wisdom here, "we are what they grow beyond, that is the burden of all masters" states Yoda. As a film, it is actually good. Luke does have a great arc and ending and there is a narrative boldness to its decisions. But as a Star Wars film, it really does not work. Subversion is great for genre, not for a franchise. This is not the OT Luke Skywalker and the best scenes like Holdo's lightspeed ram and Yoda's lightning bolt raise many, many questions about previous Star Wars moments. Too bold.
10. Attack of the Clones (2002)
Asteroid belt chase, Jedi enter the arena, Yoda vs Dooku
If Anakin was posted on a more unique mission with Padme instead of rollicking about in a green screen spewing a series of diabolical words that do not belong together, this could have been a great film. Obi-wan's detective story, slowly unraveling pieces of Darth Sidious' masterplan that leads to the Clone Wars, is awesome. Naboo and Tatooine however... The worst dialogue of the saga is supported by acting so wooden the extras got splinters. Geonosis is where the film peaks, delivering a vast battle sequence that recalls the videogames and toy sets of my youth. It is at least a cohesive story, something that does put it above Episodes VIII and IX from that viewpoint, but its full blown CGI and romance scenes drags it back down.
11. The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
Rey giving Ben the lightsaber, Chewie getting his medal, ... I am struggling here... that shot of the Y-wing attacking a Star Destroyer?
This is non-canon. Painfully told with a story line so tediously long winded that even the actors do not want to be there. Finn had so much potential to lead a stormtrooper uprising here, considering how big a deal is made out of the troopers being children forced into it. Palpatine's return undoes everything from Vader's prophecy and the joyful ending of Episode VI to Darth Maul's final line in Rebels. After three films I still do not know the main characters well; Rey is far too overpowered for someone who has never lost, been incorrect or emotionally vulnerable prior to this. The fact that choosing three favourite scenes was hard is proof that this is the weakest of the bunch. Caught between continuing what JJ Abrams planned with TFA and undoing what Johnson did in TLJ, the film ended a beloved franchise with whatever is smaller than a whimper. Too desperate.
One of the more up-and-down films, ROTJ has its fierce defenders and it has its 'it's good, but weaker than the other two originals' naysayers. If Episode III is a darker and bolder trilogy capper, this third installment is safer, bringing more optimism and greenery to the proceedings. If the Jabba's Palace rescue plan makes very little sense, and the third act planning starts far, far too early, it is boosted by the final half an hour that is quintessential Star Wars. Luke's clash with his father and his subsequent declaration that he is a Jedi to the Emperor is the saga's greatest, purest moment. If it was Wookies instead of Ewoks, no CGI singing and dancing scene and Boba Fett wasn't so mistreated, then this would be higher up the list battling it out with Rogue One.
6. The Force Awakens (2015)
Millenium Falcon's flight, Resistance vs First Order on Takodana, Finn and Rey vs Kylo Ren
The safest Skywalker film by a considerable margin, of course TFA belongs slap bang in the middle of the list. It has a few inspired moments: a stormtrooper with a conscience, a desert scavenger sliding down a sand dune on a sled, Kylo stopping a laser bolt, Han using Chewie's bowcaster etc. But they are small moments rather than outright scenes. There is a lot left unsaid such as Anakin's lightsaber, why Max von Sydow had a piece of the map to Luke Skywalker and how the First Order grew such strength in the shadows of the New Republic. But its enjoyable enough, even if it does feel frustrating watching the familiar story and knowing where things lead (or don't) in its sequels. Too vanilla.
7. Solo (2018)
Kessel Run, Maul revealed, Han vs Beckett
If TFA was safe, then Solo makes it look positively original. Massively under-marketed and with box office takings, Solo is the definitive three star film. More interested in ticking off back story boxes than propelling a unique narrative, it nevertheless contains 'fine' effects, camera work, acting and characters. It is quite a dark film lighting wise, but the third act shenanigans are entertaining enough to keep this spinoff afloat. I would sooner watch one of the prequels of sequels than this again, but the filmmaking is objectively more cohesive and able so it hovers above its cohorts by the skin of its mundane teeth.
8. The Phantom Menace (1999)
The podrace, Duel of the Fates, Qui-Gon wins Anakin's freedom
As this list veers into openly bad territory, TPM is, bizarrely, the strongest of these final four notorious additions to the franchise. Jar Jar and Annie's annoyance has waned over repeat viewings whilst meme value has exponentially increased. If you can stomach some awfully dated effects, skin crawling dialogue and (unintentional?) racism, then it is easy to switch off and enjoy the exhilarating podrace with its immersive sound design, the masterful final lightsaber battle and its long term ramifications (watch Dave Filoni's breakdown of its importance) and Liam Neeson as Qui-Gon, a Jedi Master inhabiting a more impassioned, fatherly role model for Anakin. The Ned Stark of the saga, Qui-Gon's role casts a long shadow over the prequels.
9. The Last Jedi (2017)
Luke and Yoda's conversation, the Holdo maneuver, Snoke's death / Praetorian Guard fight
Enough has been said on Finn's wasted character in this film, the uselessness of his subplot with Rose, the blandness of Canto Bight, the laughable Rose 'rescue' at the end and the really awkward, irregular humour. But where my issues with this film is Luke. Rian Johnson makes Luke out to be a new Yoda or Obi-wan: a wizened master with a fallen apprentice who gives up hope in bringing them back. But unlike Yoda or Obi-wan, Luke proved that Darth Vader could return to the light, even after all his dark deeds. Luke has empirical evidence that people can be redeemed, Obi-wan did not. And Kylo Ren was only feeling the dark side, he had not been wiping out and torturing rebels and younglings alike. This grumpy Luke is non-canon as far as I am concerned. TLJ does have its moments: the cinematography, especially in the final hour, is breathtaking, the action scenes are equally shot well and the sound design is on point. There is also a wisdom here, "we are what they grow beyond, that is the burden of all masters" states Yoda. As a film, it is actually good. Luke does have a great arc and ending and there is a narrative boldness to its decisions. But as a Star Wars film, it really does not work. Subversion is great for genre, not for a franchise. This is not the OT Luke Skywalker and the best scenes like Holdo's lightspeed ram and Yoda's lightning bolt raise many, many questions about previous Star Wars moments. Too bold.
10. Attack of the Clones (2002)
Asteroid belt chase, Jedi enter the arena, Yoda vs Dooku
If Anakin was posted on a more unique mission with Padme instead of rollicking about in a green screen spewing a series of diabolical words that do not belong together, this could have been a great film. Obi-wan's detective story, slowly unraveling pieces of Darth Sidious' masterplan that leads to the Clone Wars, is awesome. Naboo and Tatooine however... The worst dialogue of the saga is supported by acting so wooden the extras got splinters. Geonosis is where the film peaks, delivering a vast battle sequence that recalls the videogames and toy sets of my youth. It is at least a cohesive story, something that does put it above Episodes VIII and IX from that viewpoint, but its full blown CGI and romance scenes drags it back down.
11. The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
Rey giving Ben the lightsaber, Chewie getting his medal, ... I am struggling here... that shot of the Y-wing attacking a Star Destroyer?
This is non-canon. Painfully told with a story line so tediously long winded that even the actors do not want to be there. Finn had so much potential to lead a stormtrooper uprising here, considering how big a deal is made out of the troopers being children forced into it. Palpatine's return undoes everything from Vader's prophecy and the joyful ending of Episode VI to Darth Maul's final line in Rebels. After three films I still do not know the main characters well; Rey is far too overpowered for someone who has never lost, been incorrect or emotionally vulnerable prior to this. The fact that choosing three favourite scenes was hard is proof that this is the weakest of the bunch. Caught between continuing what JJ Abrams planned with TFA and undoing what Johnson did in TLJ, the film ended a beloved franchise with whatever is smaller than a whimper. Too desperate.
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