The Star Wars Saga - Ranked (10-6)
With The Last Jedi's recent release and the divisive audience reaction with it, I felt this would be the perfect time for me to introduce a new article form that I want to start doing more of in the future. Rankings are a common thing for many different film reviewers and I have constantly gone back and forth in my head on what I believe is the best and what I enjoyed the most. So, I finally want to take this time to thoroughly analyze each of the theatrically released films and rank them. With each film, I'll take a little time to explain it's place in my list, and anything about the film that stands out. Well, it's time for me to cut the chatter and get right to it! For this article, we'll be discussng the films from the #10 position to the #6 position.
10. Attack of The Clones
The prequels are constantly criticized as being poorly made films and a backwards step for the Star Wars world. The mythology put forward by them (midichlorians), and the general misuse of characters who could have had larger roles in the budding time period led to a rather sour taste for many. While I am not one of those who outright hates these films, I do find myself cringing a bit when watching this film specifically. Attack of the Clones leans far too heavily into the romance of Anakin and Padme, almost earning a feeling of forbidden love like that of Romeo and Juliet. The majority of the first act also for me seems a bit strange, with Obi-Wan and Anakin's playfulness feeling rather odd. Although, the finale on Geonosis and Yoda's duel with Count Dooku are standout points for the film, frankly this was the low point for the entire saga.
9. The Clone Wars
Many casual fans of the franchise don't even realize that this is a film at all. The majority of Star Wars fans will say this is the low point for the franchise, but I disagree as I look at what it managed to do for Star Wars post prequels. This film created a new mythology and story for a period of time that had not had its potential explored to it's fullest. The introduction of a major character in the Star Wars world in Ahsoka Tano also helps to elevate this film. Sure the story is rather messy and all over the place, but again I believe the impact that this film had on Star Wars at a point where it seemed we would be living in a world without it allows me to view it in a better light. Matt Lanter also creates a version of Anakin that is much more lovable and endearing than that of Hayden Christensen's in the entire prequel trilogy. This film and it's subsequent television series helped improve a very lacking and key relationship in Obi-Wan and Anakin.
8. The Phantom Menace
The new beginning for Star Wars after a decade without this world made The Phantom Menace a must see for audiences when it released back in 1999. Back then many people were just absolutely ecstatic to have more Star Wars films and were blind to some of the many issues this film has. Anakin's look and age difference make his feelings and romance for Padme feel very odd here, and the entirety of his childhood glee just feels a bit strange. Also, the introduction of the midichlorians earns this a major negative in my book.
This film though does include a few things that are extraordinary and major moments for the franchise. Those being firstly, the pod race. This is something that I will argue with people to death about, but I believe the pod race was a great homage to the space battles of old, and helped jump start Anakin's journey to becoming a Jedi. The other moment is without question: The Duel of the Fates. If you know anything about Star Wars you know this moment. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan face off against the villainous (and criminally underused) Darth Maul in what could be argued as the greatest lightsaber battle in the entire saga. The music done by the master John Williams helps to elevate the conflict and remains one of the best composed pieces this franchise has to offer.
7. Return of the Jedi
Before any goes and freaks out on me for putting Return of the Jedi at #7, I want to state something for the rest of the films moving forward. I have an unchangeable love for every single one of these movies from this point forward on the list. Return of the Jedi for me is a very good movie. With some of the best moments in the entire saga, and the finality and closure that comes with it; it's hard to argue it's impact on the franchise. The final confrontation on the Death Star, to the Battle of Endor, to the opening at the Sarlacc Pit; what's not to like here? The thing that simply pushes me from putting it higher on my list is as I've grown older I've come to realize what many fellow fans have also stated: the Ewoks really do suck. When I watch this movie I find myself either skipping past or looking away when I see the Ewoks, and the idea that they help to defeat the best soldiers of the Empire is just ludicrous to me.
As I stated though, what this film does right clearly outweighs the bad. Seeing Darth Vader's redemption is one of the greatest moments in cinema, and the space battle taking place just outside the window of the throne room also is up there with my favorites of the entire series. Lando comes into his own in this film and seeing him as a high ranking member of the rebellion was rewarding after seeing his arc in Empire. My childhood joy for this film and it's conclusiveness for the original trilogy helps me enjoy it even more. I mean come on, who doesn't like a badass Luke Skywalker?
6. Rogue One
When Rogue One was announced as the first standalone Star Wars film for the franchise, I was giddy. There had been discussions about TV and film adaptations for years about this group of rebels who stood their ground and stole the Death Star plans. Finally seeing that adapted to screen was a dream for me. Coming off the heels of the first new Star Wars film in nearly 10 years, Rogue One did have some high standards to live up to. I acknowledge that a majority of the first act is sluggish and at times rather boring to get through. Although I say that, once they make the plan to go save Jyn's father, I feel the movie kicks into high gear and never lets up. This group of misfits in the rebellion are about to do something crazy that nobody believes will work.
The Battle of Scarif stands out to me as a crowning moment for Star Wars as a whole. We've always known there was a war going outside the events of the saga films, but never saw it depicted on screen. Rogue One gave us that opportunity with Scarif. We saw the hopelessness of war, and the realization that these characters weren't going to make it through the film. The power and emotion from this movie comes from that recognition and acceptance by both the characters and the viewers. Along with this, seeing the Rebellion finally come together to assist the crew of Rogue One in capturing the Death Star plans was absolutely incredible. Things we've never seen in a Star Wars movie before were done here and done exceptionally well.
Speaking of things we've never seen before, there's one last thing to mention with Rogue One: Darth Vader. Sure, his part isn't very large, sure his voice is a tiny bit off in comparison to the other films; but man if this isn't the most dark and violent version of the character we have ever seen! Darth Vader is recognized as a force of pure evil and destruction by anyone in his path and it's that absolute sheer power that he has over others that makes him so terrifying. Both of his scenes in this film are absolutely shell shocking and will be on best moments lists from now until the end of time. Especially that slaughter at the very end of the film, god it was beautiful.
Part 2 Coming Soon!
Originally I had intended for this to be one article, but as it got farther along I quickly realized that this was going to be a much longer and more in-depth discussion. Check back next week for the top 5 Star Wars films!
