Star Wars - Skywalker Saga Ranking Part 2 - Movie Thoughts (Chapter 39) 🌟

Hello everyone,

Today I'm continuing with my Star Wars ranking. The middle three were almost the hardest to write about because I had to balance how I felt about them and consequently why some choices might be controversial with the objective merits of each film. For me, it's really easy to rip into something you viscerally don't like or don't connect with, and conversely it's really easy to rave about something you love and list the strengths. It's harder when your feelings aren't so black and white, so I hope I was able to get that right with this section....

(**disclaimer: the following thoughts are 100% my opinion, you do not have to agree with them - film is inherently subjective and everyone's perspective is valid! Also, there are probably spoilers in the following, read at your own risk. Now onto some thoughts....**)

Just like yesterday, the framing of this list is deliberate. I’m not out here trying to say that the order in which I have ranked these films is somehow right or objectively the best. This is my list, so I make the rules. Taking things like construction, plot and direction into consideration, much of the criteria that went into this ranking also related to investment and visceral instinct of what was more enjoyable to watch.

6. Revenge of the Sith (2005) – Episode III

Source: IMDB

Some people might be surprised by how high the third prequel installment ended up, but there is something about this film that’s quite distressing and uncomfortable which importantly made it memorable. Three years into the Clone Wars, the Jedi rescue Chancellor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) from the hands of Count Dooku (Christopher Lee) whilst Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) investigates a new threat. Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) becomes a double agent between the Jedi Council and Palpatine and is lured into a sinister plan to take over the Galaxy. Whilst the other prequels are slow and loose, ROTS was jampacked full of action and intense plot development; to the point where it was at overwhelming at times.

Edgier and darker both visually and thematically, the character arc’s were stronger and more heartbreaking. Padme (Natalie Portman) and Anakin’s relationship was tragic love at its hardest and finest, and Anakin’s individual characterisation had a surprising maturity. His grappling with fundamentally human fears of not losing anymore of his loved ones and questioning where he belongs turned into something quite dark, misguided and heartbreaking. Visually there was some amazing sequences in the numerous dynamic and physical lightsaber fights; especially the infamous Obi-Wan vs. Anakin fight in the lava of Mustafar. The parallel cutting between Anakin’s descent into the Darth Vader suit and a tearful Padme giving birth was also an interesting idea of new life through death and reflected the overall melancholic tone that defined this film. It still had problems and the writing was patchy, but it felt more cohesive than TROS and also served to say something surprisingly and compellingly dark.

5. A New Hope (1977) – Episode IV

Source: IMDB

The spark that started it all; the first of what would become the ‘original’ trilogy is still a lot of fun and holds up as a genuinely good film. Young Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) joins forces with an old Jedi knight, two droids, a rag-tag pilot and his Wookie friend to rescue the galaxy from the Empire’s formidable planet-killing machine the Death Star; whilst also trying to rescue Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) from the shadowy Darth Vader (David Prowse). Initially a little scrappy and slow, there was good setup and a clear goal of destroying the Death Star that streamlined the plot into a giant space quest structure that was easy to invest in. Fisher’s Leia was a badass from her first moment and one of the most enjoyable presences. Luke’s whiny teenager persona was strenuous at times but his heroics as a pilot saved that from being a fatal flaw.

Visually, the late 70’s technology produced effects and graphics that still looked good and sequences like the explosion of the Death Star felt enormous on screen. The dynamic flying manoeuvers the Rebel Alliance were executing within the levels of the Death Star were really cool, and other visual points like the destruction of Alderaan were heart-breaking to watch. Not only was the introduction of this galaxy’s basic mythology interesting to dive into, it was also emotionally multi-faceted and set up the stakes of ‘good vs. evil’ really well. By the end, audiences cared about these characters and the medal awarding ceremony was a really, sweet triumphant ending. There’s not many of those in this franchise, so the nostalgia of that alongside the magic of it being the beginning of everything, there’s something special in this film. But it’s a little bit too simple for it to go any higher on this list.

4. The Empire Strikes Back (1980) – Episode V

Source: IMDB

This is objectively sacrilege considering many people would have the middle chapter of the original trilogy not only in their top three, but topping the list. It’s understandable why that would be the case for most people, because this film had a lot of interesting merits. The ‘darkest’ of the originals, the complexity and evolution of the characters was really interesting in building on what ANH introduced. After the Rebels are defeated on ice planet Hoth, Luke begins his Jedi training under Yoda on Dagobah while Princess Leia and Han Solo (Harrison Ford) are hunted by Darth Vader and bounty hunter Boba Fett (Jeremy Bulloch) across the galaxy. The plot packed a lot in and was backed up by a well-written screenplay by Leigh Brackett and Lawrence Kasdan; an evolution of emotional consistency whilst challenging the lead characters in new and exciting ways. Introducing the charismatic Lando Calrissian (Billy Dee Williams) was very enjoyable and his part of a plot twist delivered on shock value.

Darth Vader was darker and more chilling this time around, proving just how powerful he is as a truly formidable villain. Leia is still a badass leader and Han’s grappling with where he belongs humanized him in a really endearing way. The evolution of ‘HanLeia’ was also really sweet and the forehead kiss was one of the most beautiful non-battle sequence images from the franchise. The sequences of Luke’s training in the marshes with Yoda were hilarious and learning more about the Force and the Jedi mythology was fascinating. ESB will always be iconic for the ‘I am your Father’ reveal; a true GOAT moment in cinema history that still packs a punch forty years later, as well as more dynamic visuals and captivating graphics. But its darker themes and cliff-hanger esque ending that placed everyone in degrees of pain or imprisonment suck a lot of the hope out, and that ultimately made for a great film but a subjectively less enjoyable experience than some more optimistic times that pushed Episode V down criminally low.

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Figuring out the order of this section was really hard, and the fact they didn't make the top three does not mean they are bad. They all have merit and pro's in their own right, but there's something about those ones I haven't mentioned yet that mean something extra special to me....

Thanks for reading,

Love and never tell me the odds, Emily 🌟