Listmania – Star Wars Edition
I finally got a chance to see Rogue One, and I was inspired by it to rank my top 5 favorite Star Wars movies. Of the 8 so far, I think only episodes I and II are pretty unwatchable. All the rest are great and must-sees. This is a franchise I am really excited to see where they take it and see what other secrets will be revealed. I am very excited for Rian Johnson’s (Episode VIII) The Last Jedi this December. So now it’s your turn to tell me what your top 5 favorites are.
5. Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (George Lucas) – May 19, 2005
*I’m not really a fan of the second trilogy of movies directed by George Lucas, but I have to admit that there is still appeal with this one since it is the one where we see Anakin Skywalker become Lord Dark Vader. That scene in particular is pretty amazing to watch, and when he first puts on the helmet and starts breathing, you can’t help but get chills.
4. Rogue One (Gareth Edwards) – December 16, 2016
*This one was pretty fun to watch, and I’m sure will get better with more viewings since there is so much going on in the storyline that I missed some things, but ultimately it didn’t matter, because when there fighting with their lightsabers and flying around in space, that’s all that is important. The beach / antennae scene was especially great. I also think that K-2SO should have his own movie at some point.
3. Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (Irvin Kershner) – May 21, 1980
*This is the one that most people love the most, but for me ranks third amongst my favorites. It’s arguably the best, and features the most drama and biggest surprises. Han Solo and Princess Leia take their relationship to another level which is great, and I love when we meet Yoda and see him teach Luke Skywalker how to really use the force. Epic stuff.
2. Star Wars: The Force Awakens (J.J. Abrams) – December 18, 2015
*I had so much fun the first time I saw this movie. I love how it felt at the same time fresh and familiar. The new characters they introduce are as much fun to watch as the main characters from the original trilogy. I especially love how they have a female lead with Rey and Finn as a Storm Trooper turned good guy. Kylo Ren and his moment with Han Solo is the standout in this one amongst many great moments.
1. Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (George Lucas) – May 25, 1977
*It should come as no surprise that this movie is my favorite of all the Star Wars movies. It’s the original and still the best. At this point, the whole movie is one iconic moment after another, and seeing the gang of Han, Chewbacca, Luke, R2-D2, C-3PO, and Princess Leia work together to defeat Darth Vader and blow up the Death Star is always great, no matter how many times I see it.
The wrong “Return” film included here. Hate the first three parts but more so with my respect for Lucas than the films as outright entertainment. But all three are poor. The birth of skinny Vader who then goes on to say “How’s Padme?” gave me shivers, but not the ones you’re talking about, Al.
Yeah, I should like Return of the Jedi more than I do. Maybe I just really need to watch it again, since it has been longer since last viewing than the other ones. There is no denying as well how god-awful Hayden’s acting is. He’s the worst choice ever.
The first three episodes would not make any of my lists including the word “best”…
I agree with the assessment that Eps I & II are terrible, but any SW list that doesn’t have Eps IV & V in the top two spots feels like blasphemy. And Rogue One > The Force Awakens.
Thanks Dell. I think most would agree that eps IV & V are top 2 in either order. How do you rank your top 5 SW?
Surprised to see The Force Awakens ahead of Empire Strikes Back! Great post! I wish I could remember episodes I-III…saw them in theaters when I was so young…maybe they’re repressed memories, bc they were so bad! haha
Well perhaps I’m showing my age but my Top 5 would go 1. The Empire Strikes Back. 2. Star Wars. 3. Return of the Jedi. 4. The Force Awakens. 5. This is tough but I’m going to put Revenge of the Sith above Rogue One and I’ll tell you why. I actually dug McGregor’s performance and through him felt some sadness at the loss of Anakin and Ian McDiarmind was having blast chewing on a thin slice of ham. Rogue One made the world feel more lived in and gave a sense of what was lost with the Old Republic but I couldn’t muster up a lot of caring for those characters at the end. One of the reasons why I really enjoyed The Force Awakens.
McGregor’s performance is def a redeeming quality for Eps 1-3.
In particular Episode 3 for me. I feel he really acted well his final go around. Maybe we’ll see McGregor return to the role.
McGregor was the perfect Obi Wan