Ranking The Star Wars Movies
Well, I just watched The Rise of Skywalker. Here's hoping that's the last Star Wars movie for 20 years. I am beyond burned out. Anyway, let's rank the Star Wars series from worst to best.
#11. The Phantom Menace (1999)
This should come as no surprise to anyone to see Episode I in last place. It's the only film in the series where the bad outweighs the good. While I like the podracing sequence and the lightsaber duel between Qui-Gon, Ob-Wan, and Dart Maul, the characters range from boring to insufferable, the story makes no sense, and the film fails to make me care at all about what happens. This film is shockingly bad and easily earns last place.
4/10: Bad
#10. The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
Unfortunately, the Skywalker saga ends with a meh. While Rey and Kylo's scenes together are fun and there are some good action sequences, the script is a mess with poor setups and lazy attempts to undo The Last Jedi. All in all, it's a disappointing missed opportunity that could have been something really special.
5/10: Meh
#9. Attack of the Clones (2002)
Episode II use to be my least favorite film, but that changed on this rewatch. It's extremely flawed and has some of the lowest points in the entire series, but I enjoyed it more than I disliked it, but not by much. This movie actually has some energy and I wasn't bored to tears. The speeder chase is quite good, as is Obi-Wan's stroyline. Ewan McGregor is great and they gave him stuff to do in this movie. Plus, the story actually makes some sense this time. On the flip side, Anakin Skywalker is a wholly unlikable character and his scenes on Naboo with Padmé are just the worst. They have absolutely no chemistry and I don't buy their love story for a second. The droid factory sequence and the duel with Count Dooku are both pretty lame and the CGI has not aged well. A step up, to be sure, but still not great.
6/10: Okay
#8. Revenge of the Sith (2005)
Episode III is easily the best of the prequel trilogy, but I think we collectively give it too much of a pass. The story is decent and actually has some emotional weight, the action sequences are solid, and Ian McDiarmid's performance as the Emperor is fantastic, but, once again, the Anakin-Padmé storyline is just terrible, a lot of the first half of the film is very boring, the Mustafar duel goes on for too long, and droids being used as comic relief felt very out of place and tonally awkward.
7/10: Good
#7. Solo (2018)
I had very low expectations going in to Solo, so that may have helped it's placement, but I liked how it had a focused story, unlike The Last Jedi. I enjoyed most of the action sequences and most of the supporting characters were great, especially Lando and Chewbacca. I did not buy Alden Ehrenreich as Han Solo for a second, L3 is a horrendously annoying character, a few of the references were shoe-horned, and due to this being a prequel, the tension wasn't as high. But, Solo is a simple, entertaining movie that succeeds more than it fails.
7/10: Good
#6. The Last Jedi (2017)
I didn't love Episode VIII when I first saw it, but it improved on the rewatch. It's a beautiful movie, with some of the best visuals of the series, the Rey/Luke/Kylo storyline is fantastic, the battle of the throne room and Luke's stand against Kylo are phenomenal sequences, and I liked the subverted expectations about Rey's parents and Snoke. But Rose is one of the worst characters in Star Wars, her storyline with Finn being a complete waste of time, the casino planet is one of my least favorite sequences in the series, and Laura Dern's character was very stupid, but wasn't portrayed that way. This movie is polarizing, but it's not as bad as many people say it is, nor is it as good as others say it is. It's got immensely high highs, but extremely low lows.
7/10: Good
#5: Return of the Jedi (1983)
The final film in the original trilogy may be the weakest of the three, but it's still solid. Mark Hamill gives an incredible performance as Luke Skywalker, Ian McDiarmid is once again awesome as the Emperor, the Jabba's Palace sequences are delightfully gross, and the final duel between Luke and Darth Vader is fantastic. But, the Ewoks are pretty awful and they slow down the second act a lot making the middle of a movie somewhat tough to sit through.
8/10: Really Good
#4. Rogue One (2016)
Rogue One gets some flak, but I really enjoy this film. The final battle on Scarif is excellent. It feels the most war-like out of any sequence in the series. Plus, they killed off everyone, which is exactly what I wanted to happen. Also, Darth Vader's appearance is terrifying, Alan Tudyk gives us some great comic relief, and the film retroactively fixes a major plot hole from A New Hope. The main characters are all underdeveloped and there was a bit too much fan service, but I still thoroughly enjoyed this film.
8/10: Really Good
#3. The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
I expect to get some hate for this one. Empire was never my favorite film in the series and I do believe it is slightly overrated, but it's still a great film. It's interesting in that it takes a more character-oriented approach to the film instead of just plot points. We get some very dark moments for are beloved characters, which is fascinating to watch. We also get the best incarnation of Yoda, the introduction of Lando, the battle of Hoth, and Han being frozen in carbonite; some of the best parts of the series. Plus, we have one of the best lightsaber duels between Luke and Darth Vader. But, I do think the film slows down a little too much in the 2nd act and loses some of it's energy. Again, still a great movie, I just like the other two films more.
9/10: Great
#2. The Force Awakens (2015)
I know this movie is somewhat of a rehash of A New Hope, but that doesn't bother me. In fact, I think that's exactly what this movie needed to be. I love the blend of both old and new, it's great to have Harrison Ford back, Finn is a really interesting character, Kylo Ren is a fantastic and complex villain, and the Finn/Rey/Kylo duel in the forest may just be my favorite of the series. The film does have moments where it feels a little convenient, especially when Maz reveals she has Anakin's lightsaber, and not all the humor lands, but I love this movie and it was exactly what Star Wars needed to be in 2015.
9/10: Great
#1. A New Hope (1977)
The original Star Wars is a near-perfect film. The story is simple and engaging, it does a great job of setting up the conflict, the good guys, and the bad guys. We know who we are supposed to root for and against, because the movie gives us interesting, likable, and despicable characters. Luke Skywalker is an excellent protagonist, all of the supporting characters bring something to the table, Darth Vader and Tarkin are wonderful villains, and the pacing and energy this movie has is incredible. It grabs you and doesn't let go. I don't have any complaints or faults for this movie. The original Star Wars is one of my all-time favorites. It's a classic for a reason and easily the best film in the series.
10/10: Amazing
#11. The Phantom Menace (1999)
This should come as no surprise to anyone to see Episode I in last place. It's the only film in the series where the bad outweighs the good. While I like the podracing sequence and the lightsaber duel between Qui-Gon, Ob-Wan, and Dart Maul, the characters range from boring to insufferable, the story makes no sense, and the film fails to make me care at all about what happens. This film is shockingly bad and easily earns last place.
4/10: Bad
#10. The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
Unfortunately, the Skywalker saga ends with a meh. While Rey and Kylo's scenes together are fun and there are some good action sequences, the script is a mess with poor setups and lazy attempts to undo The Last Jedi. All in all, it's a disappointing missed opportunity that could have been something really special.
5/10: Meh
#9. Attack of the Clones (2002)
Episode II use to be my least favorite film, but that changed on this rewatch. It's extremely flawed and has some of the lowest points in the entire series, but I enjoyed it more than I disliked it, but not by much. This movie actually has some energy and I wasn't bored to tears. The speeder chase is quite good, as is Obi-Wan's stroyline. Ewan McGregor is great and they gave him stuff to do in this movie. Plus, the story actually makes some sense this time. On the flip side, Anakin Skywalker is a wholly unlikable character and his scenes on Naboo with Padmé are just the worst. They have absolutely no chemistry and I don't buy their love story for a second. The droid factory sequence and the duel with Count Dooku are both pretty lame and the CGI has not aged well. A step up, to be sure, but still not great.
6/10: Okay
#8. Revenge of the Sith (2005)
Episode III is easily the best of the prequel trilogy, but I think we collectively give it too much of a pass. The story is decent and actually has some emotional weight, the action sequences are solid, and Ian McDiarmid's performance as the Emperor is fantastic, but, once again, the Anakin-Padmé storyline is just terrible, a lot of the first half of the film is very boring, the Mustafar duel goes on for too long, and droids being used as comic relief felt very out of place and tonally awkward.
7/10: Good
#7. Solo (2018)
I had very low expectations going in to Solo, so that may have helped it's placement, but I liked how it had a focused story, unlike The Last Jedi. I enjoyed most of the action sequences and most of the supporting characters were great, especially Lando and Chewbacca. I did not buy Alden Ehrenreich as Han Solo for a second, L3 is a horrendously annoying character, a few of the references were shoe-horned, and due to this being a prequel, the tension wasn't as high. But, Solo is a simple, entertaining movie that succeeds more than it fails.
7/10: Good
#6. The Last Jedi (2017)
I didn't love Episode VIII when I first saw it, but it improved on the rewatch. It's a beautiful movie, with some of the best visuals of the series, the Rey/Luke/Kylo storyline is fantastic, the battle of the throne room and Luke's stand against Kylo are phenomenal sequences, and I liked the subverted expectations about Rey's parents and Snoke. But Rose is one of the worst characters in Star Wars, her storyline with Finn being a complete waste of time, the casino planet is one of my least favorite sequences in the series, and Laura Dern's character was very stupid, but wasn't portrayed that way. This movie is polarizing, but it's not as bad as many people say it is, nor is it as good as others say it is. It's got immensely high highs, but extremely low lows.
7/10: Good
#5: Return of the Jedi (1983)
The final film in the original trilogy may be the weakest of the three, but it's still solid. Mark Hamill gives an incredible performance as Luke Skywalker, Ian McDiarmid is once again awesome as the Emperor, the Jabba's Palace sequences are delightfully gross, and the final duel between Luke and Darth Vader is fantastic. But, the Ewoks are pretty awful and they slow down the second act a lot making the middle of a movie somewhat tough to sit through.
8/10: Really Good
#4. Rogue One (2016)
Rogue One gets some flak, but I really enjoy this film. The final battle on Scarif is excellent. It feels the most war-like out of any sequence in the series. Plus, they killed off everyone, which is exactly what I wanted to happen. Also, Darth Vader's appearance is terrifying, Alan Tudyk gives us some great comic relief, and the film retroactively fixes a major plot hole from A New Hope. The main characters are all underdeveloped and there was a bit too much fan service, but I still thoroughly enjoyed this film.
8/10: Really Good
#3. The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
I expect to get some hate for this one. Empire was never my favorite film in the series and I do believe it is slightly overrated, but it's still a great film. It's interesting in that it takes a more character-oriented approach to the film instead of just plot points. We get some very dark moments for are beloved characters, which is fascinating to watch. We also get the best incarnation of Yoda, the introduction of Lando, the battle of Hoth, and Han being frozen in carbonite; some of the best parts of the series. Plus, we have one of the best lightsaber duels between Luke and Darth Vader. But, I do think the film slows down a little too much in the 2nd act and loses some of it's energy. Again, still a great movie, I just like the other two films more.
9/10: Great
#2. The Force Awakens (2015)
I know this movie is somewhat of a rehash of A New Hope, but that doesn't bother me. In fact, I think that's exactly what this movie needed to be. I love the blend of both old and new, it's great to have Harrison Ford back, Finn is a really interesting character, Kylo Ren is a fantastic and complex villain, and the Finn/Rey/Kylo duel in the forest may just be my favorite of the series. The film does have moments where it feels a little convenient, especially when Maz reveals she has Anakin's lightsaber, and not all the humor lands, but I love this movie and it was exactly what Star Wars needed to be in 2015.
9/10: Great
#1. A New Hope (1977)
The original Star Wars is a near-perfect film. The story is simple and engaging, it does a great job of setting up the conflict, the good guys, and the bad guys. We know who we are supposed to root for and against, because the movie gives us interesting, likable, and despicable characters. Luke Skywalker is an excellent protagonist, all of the supporting characters bring something to the table, Darth Vader and Tarkin are wonderful villains, and the pacing and energy this movie has is incredible. It grabs you and doesn't let go. I don't have any complaints or faults for this movie. The original Star Wars is one of my all-time favorites. It's a classic for a reason and easily the best film in the series.
10/10: Amazing
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