6. Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999)
Rating: 1/5 Stars
This is just a movie that explains taxes in the most complicated way imaginable. The first time I watched it as a kid, I had no fucking clue what was happening and now when I watch it in my older age, I still struggle to figure out what they’re talking about. Natalie Portman delivers an underwhelming performance as Padme, which is surprising seeing that she’s great in movies like Black Swan, Closer, and V for Vendetta. In addition, the one iconic fight scene with Darth Maul isn’t on the same level as other lightsaber duals we get in later films. That definitely hinders its rating. At the end of the day it’s not terrible, but when you compare it to the other Star Wars films that exist, it’s an abomination.
5. Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002)
Rating: 1.5/5 Stars
Slightly better than Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace is Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones. Personally, attribute it to the quote Anakin delivers after slaughtering the Tusken Raiders who killed his mother. “I killed them. I killed them all. They’re dead. Every single one of them. And not just the men, but the women and the children, too. They’re like animals, and I slaughtered them like animals! I HATE THEM!“
That’s a really iconic scene and one that fires we up when I watch it…but that’s it. That’s the only time I feel genuinely excited in this film. And I’ve kind of felt this way ever since I first watched it. It’s an awesome scene, but it’s one that can’t save this film that lacks a personality and cohesiveness. I’d say one other thing George Lucas does do that’s good is that we get more of Mace Windu, who was my favorite Jedi growing up due to his purple lightsaber.
4. Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
Rating: 4/5 Stars
This is where the Star Wars franchise separates. I’d say that the top four are pretty interchangeable as I’d understand anyones argument for having Return of the Jedi or A New Hope at number one. However, this is my rankings and A New Hope is at four. In the timeline of Star Wars, A New Hope technically isn’t the beginning of the story, but for fans it’s the one that kicked everything off. Even if this was a rubbish film, there’s an aura of respect for the flick as it was the first. The iconic opening title scene blasts me back to my childhood when times were simpler and makes me feel giddy.
We see the friendship of C-3PO and R2-D2 begin to bud and are characters who become fan favorites. Even though he can’t speak, R2-D2 is one of my favorite Star Wars characters. In addition, we see Tusken Raiders get introduced, but they tie back to Attack of the Clones as they’re the people who killed Anakin’s mother and retaliated by killing EVERYONE.
3. Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005)
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
While the final battle between Darth Vader and Luke is the franchises most crucial and quintessential, my favorite comes in the lava between Obi-Wan and Anakin/Darth Vader. Anakin turned to the dark side and in an attempt to bring him back with help from Padme, Anakin, now Darth Vader, strangles Padme unconscious with the force and Obi-Wan engages him in a lightsaber battle. As the battle ensues, Vader gets his legs cut off and is left for dead in the lava. This led to us seeing Vader get presented with his menacing, black suit and is told by Palpatine that he killed Padme. It’s a wildly entertaining battle and I find to be the most entertaining of the whole franchise.
An underrated aspect of the film is the battle between Yoda and Palpatine. This gets overshadowed by how great the Obi-Wan vs Darth Vader battle is, but it’s fun to see the little green Yoda bound around vs the villainous Palpatine. Viewers also see the execution of Order 66. That’s one of the tensest moments in the entire Star Wars franchise and I adore every second of it.
2. Return of the Jedi (1983)
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
While Return of the Jedi is an amazing film and one of the best in the Star Wars universe, it’s tremendously bizarre. Starting with the opening of the film on Tatooine, we see Princess Leia chained up by Jabba the Hutt and Luke get trap doored to the gulag to battle a rancor. It’s strange, but I think it’s so awesome. The entire Tatooine and attempted execution of Luke, Han Solo, and Chewbacca is remarkably fun with Boba Fett getting eaten in the sarlacc pit and Leia strangling Jabba the Hutt to death.
With this being the final film of the original six Star Wars films, there are a lot of loose ends that get tied up and they’re conveyed in an entertaining manner with Darth Vader killing Emperor Palpatine to show Luke how much he loves him and that he still has good in his burnt body. When I was a kid, seeing Vader get unmasked always shocked me. To this day even as an adult it still shocks me. This was a great film to be episode six of the Star Wars franchise.
1. The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Did you really think any other Star Wars film would be at number one? Really? The Empire Strikes Back incorporates the most iconic scene in the whole franchise when Darth Vader hits Luke with “I Am Your Father.” This is not only the most iconic line in the entirety of the franchise, but it’s also tremendously integral in Lukes hero journey. Hearing that Darth Vader is his father is the worst thing imaginable and leads to a real conflict of character because he so badly wants to defeat Vader, yet also feels mixed because the man he’s been longing to defeat is his father.
The Empire Strikes Back also showcases my favorite large scale battle scene in the franchise with the Battle of Hoth. Seeing AT-AT’s get toppled is satisfying to watch as T-47 air-speeders zipped past them. It’s a truly pivotal battle in the Star Wars landscape and one that I often look up on YouTube to watch. What makes The Empire Strikes Back the pinnacle of Star Wars films is that it has rewatch-ability, big entertaining battles, and extreme shock factor.