Ranking Star Wars: Jason's Top List!
Feb 5, 2015 11:40:04 GMT -8
Post by Jason on Feb 5, 2015 11:40:04 GMT -8
Finally got around to watching every film from the franchise just a couple of weeks ago. Watched them in order of release, so IV - VI came first, followed by I - III. In case you didn't know already, I had only seen Episodes IV and I. I didn't do what I wanted to do, which was bring my portbale DVD player to the abandoned lake area and watch them in a cave somewhere, but at least I watched them all. 
On to the rankings: WARNING HEAVY SPOILERS
#6
Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
Pretty sure this one is probably at the bottom of most lists. It felt more a filler than anything. Episode I had the epic tale of how it all began going for it, and Episode III was the one everyone was waiting for: How Anakin becomes Vader. With all that aside, I actually liked this one a lot more than I thought I would. It definitely wasn't up to par with the other five, but it still held its own and was quite entertaining. Besides, I could watch a movie about a snail race and enjoy it as long as Natalie Portman is in it. ♥
3/5
#5
Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
I hate putting this one so low, but I actually enjoyed this franchise a lot more than I expected. The franchise isn't overhyped. It really is a great franchise and I was pleasantly surprised. I wish I didn't miss out as a kid. I did get to see this one when I was 11, and got a theater experience out of it, too. Loved it then, love it now. When I finally got to this movie in my Star Wars marathon, I was eager to see Darth Maul, because I remembered being wowed by him when I first saw the movie. I was probably more in awe now than when I was a kid. I really wish they would've utilized him as more of a main character, and even make a return in the next Episode. He really brought a lot of fun to the movie, and the final battle in this film is a battle that won't soon be forgotten. (R.I.P. Qui-Gon Jinn)
4/5
#4
Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
Another one I feel uncomfortable putting so low, but it is only a testament to how enjoyable this franchise really is. I had no idea Anakin was going to turn into such an insufferable, whiny little goon. The killing of the younglings was probably the most shocking moment in the entire Star Wars saga, but I think George Lucas really wanted to put an emphasis on how villainous Darth Vader really is, and I can appreciate that. Obi-Wan has always been my favorite character, dating back to when I was a kid and only saw IV and I, and everything I saw in this franchise led up to this final battle between Obi-Wan and the eventual ruler of the Dark Side. It couldn't have been better. This is one of the most epic on-screen battles in cinema history. It wasn't too over the top, the action was extremely entertaining and it really couldn't have ended any better. I yelled out in excitement when Obi-Wan cut him in half. I may be biased because I am such a huge Obi-Wan Kenobi fan, whether Ewan McGregor or Alec Guinness, but this was easily the most thrilling moment of the franchise for me, and the birth of Darth Vader was a nice ending to such a solid tie-in to the original trilogy.
4.5/5
#3
Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
This one is ranked highest by most Star Wars fans, I believe. Hard to argue. This one gave birth to some of the most iconic characters in the entire saga. My main disappointment with the I - III trilogy was the absence of Lando Carlissian. He was one of my favorite characters in the franchise and I was fully expecting to see a younger version of him when Han Solo referred to him as an old friend in this film. Seeing Luke evolve into a better Jedi under Yoda was one of my highlights of the movie. And I don't think anybody will ever forget the eye-popping moment when we found out who Luke's father is. I'm just bummed I missed out on that element of surprise!
4.5/5
#2
Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
This one had a lot riding on it, as it is the end of the saga and it couldn't have been more powerful, in my opinion. Han Solo and Jabba the Hutt finally meet after Han Solo became indebted to Jabba in Episode IV. The opening to the film was excellent and marked an epic end to Jabba the Hutt. The ewoks were a really nice touch. I thought everyone was doomed when they showed up. The unavoidable showdown between father and son failed to disappoint as well, as it easily rivals the battle between Obi-Wan and Anakin for the top spot and led to possibly the most epic moment of the series. I'm not sure what to think of a new Star Wars trilogy, now. I can't think of a more fitting end to the entire saga. Return of the Jedi did the entire franchise justice.
4.5/5
#1
Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
It was hard for me to put any above this one. It did a phenomenal job of introducing you to the story of such a detailed franchise. Obi-Wan introducing Luke to the Force, the coming together of all the original characters and the quest to bring peace to the galaxy against the Dark Side and the collapse of the Death Star is about as iconic as it comes. Almost impossible to top, but a few came close in one of the most epic movie franchises ever made.
4.5/5
On to the rankings: WARNING HEAVY SPOILERS
#6
Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
Pretty sure this one is probably at the bottom of most lists. It felt more a filler than anything. Episode I had the epic tale of how it all began going for it, and Episode III was the one everyone was waiting for: How Anakin becomes Vader. With all that aside, I actually liked this one a lot more than I thought I would. It definitely wasn't up to par with the other five, but it still held its own and was quite entertaining. Besides, I could watch a movie about a snail race and enjoy it as long as Natalie Portman is in it. ♥
3/5
#5
Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
I hate putting this one so low, but I actually enjoyed this franchise a lot more than I expected. The franchise isn't overhyped. It really is a great franchise and I was pleasantly surprised. I wish I didn't miss out as a kid. I did get to see this one when I was 11, and got a theater experience out of it, too. Loved it then, love it now. When I finally got to this movie in my Star Wars marathon, I was eager to see Darth Maul, because I remembered being wowed by him when I first saw the movie. I was probably more in awe now than when I was a kid. I really wish they would've utilized him as more of a main character, and even make a return in the next Episode. He really brought a lot of fun to the movie, and the final battle in this film is a battle that won't soon be forgotten. (R.I.P. Qui-Gon Jinn)
4/5
#4
Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
Another one I feel uncomfortable putting so low, but it is only a testament to how enjoyable this franchise really is. I had no idea Anakin was going to turn into such an insufferable, whiny little goon. The killing of the younglings was probably the most shocking moment in the entire Star Wars saga, but I think George Lucas really wanted to put an emphasis on how villainous Darth Vader really is, and I can appreciate that. Obi-Wan has always been my favorite character, dating back to when I was a kid and only saw IV and I, and everything I saw in this franchise led up to this final battle between Obi-Wan and the eventual ruler of the Dark Side. It couldn't have been better. This is one of the most epic on-screen battles in cinema history. It wasn't too over the top, the action was extremely entertaining and it really couldn't have ended any better. I yelled out in excitement when Obi-Wan cut him in half. I may be biased because I am such a huge Obi-Wan Kenobi fan, whether Ewan McGregor or Alec Guinness, but this was easily the most thrilling moment of the franchise for me, and the birth of Darth Vader was a nice ending to such a solid tie-in to the original trilogy.
4.5/5
#3
Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
This one is ranked highest by most Star Wars fans, I believe. Hard to argue. This one gave birth to some of the most iconic characters in the entire saga. My main disappointment with the I - III trilogy was the absence of Lando Carlissian. He was one of my favorite characters in the franchise and I was fully expecting to see a younger version of him when Han Solo referred to him as an old friend in this film. Seeing Luke evolve into a better Jedi under Yoda was one of my highlights of the movie. And I don't think anybody will ever forget the eye-popping moment when we found out who Luke's father is. I'm just bummed I missed out on that element of surprise!
4.5/5
#2
Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
This one had a lot riding on it, as it is the end of the saga and it couldn't have been more powerful, in my opinion. Han Solo and Jabba the Hutt finally meet after Han Solo became indebted to Jabba in Episode IV. The opening to the film was excellent and marked an epic end to Jabba the Hutt. The ewoks were a really nice touch. I thought everyone was doomed when they showed up. The unavoidable showdown between father and son failed to disappoint as well, as it easily rivals the battle between Obi-Wan and Anakin for the top spot and led to possibly the most epic moment of the series. I'm not sure what to think of a new Star Wars trilogy, now. I can't think of a more fitting end to the entire saga. Return of the Jedi did the entire franchise justice.
4.5/5
#1
Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
It was hard for me to put any above this one. It did a phenomenal job of introducing you to the story of such a detailed franchise. Obi-Wan introducing Luke to the Force, the coming together of all the original characters and the quest to bring peace to the galaxy against the Dark Side and the collapse of the Death Star is about as iconic as it comes. Almost impossible to top, but a few came close in one of the most epic movie franchises ever made.
4.5/5
