| Augen said: There is no right answer as to what you enjoy, but I am curious about the few of this series given the seventh film is due out this year. Please list the six core films in order you like them and why. Feel free to add ratings if you so choose. Warning: May contain spoilers. [snip] So, there's my two cents. How about you? Again, no need to attack anyone on different views, but I am geniunely curious how people see the iconic series in 2015. |
This is very closely in line with my own ranking. I would only flip Phantom Menace and Revenge of the Sith.
1) The Empire Strikes Back - ****
Easily the best of the saga, this movie is a perfect example of a sequel done right. The writing and direction is much improved, characters and given more detail and texture, and the story delves deeper into darkness and even despair.
2) A New Hope - *** 1/2
Pop entertainment at its finest, A New Hope changed the rules for summer blockbusters forever (along with Jaws, which preceded it by two years). Sure the characters are archetypal, and the story derivative, but it's bursting with imagination, humor, spectacle, and joy.
3) Return of the Jedi *** 1/2
While the weakest of the original trilogy, Return of the Jedi is still an entertaining action movie with some spectacular set pieces. Despite some uneven direction and recycled scenarios, Jedi is a worthy finale to one of the best trilogies in motion picture history.
4) The Phantom Menace ***
Phantom is a significant step backward from the original Star Wars trilogy, but it still manages to tell an OK story. The acting is wooden and the writing cheesy, but there's more good than bad in this adventure - including an invigorating high-speed pod-race scene.
5) Revenge of the Sith ** 1/2
Revenge of the Sith opens triumphantly with a huge-scale space battle, but ends, unfortunately, with a whimper. Anakin's turn to the dark side - arguably the most important moment in the entire Star Wars saga - is handled clumsily and unconvincingly. The rest of the story and set pieces aren't much better.
6) Attack of the Clones **
With zero chemistry, poor direction, and, again, wooden acting, it's hard to believe in or root for the relationship between Anakin and Padme, the two lovers at the heart of Attack of the Clones. The final 45 minutes of the movie include some amazing battle scenes, but fans will need to sit through 100 minutes of tedium to reach that point. Christopher Lee is a highlight as the villainous Count Dooku.
