In a galaxy far, far away, there was a fan who loved Star Wars with all her heart. When I was little, I remember my father introducing me to the action-packed fictional galaxy. I’ve watched the movies multiple times and seen the related TV series as well. The fictional world still has a special place in my heart today as my dad and I still go to see the new movies and TV series when they come out together. So in the spirit of the new Mandalorian season coming out soon, I thought I would rank my top five Star Wars movies.
1. The Empire Strikes Back
This Star War sequel has it all: the magic of learning the ways of the force, a daring space adventure against the dark side, and a hint of romance. In this movie we also witness the continuing character arc of the infamous trio Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and Han Solo. During this movie in particular, these actors bring the dynamic trio to life while each character learns something new about themselves in the process of saving the galaxy. The Empire Strikes Back is jam-packed with battle scenes on a variety of planets such as the ice planet, Hoth, and an iconic lightsaber duel between Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker. This movie has everything and is a must-see!
2. Revenge of the Sith
One of my personal favorites, Revenge of the Sith is a packed movie with drama and action, and is pretty iconic in the grand scheme of the Star Wars universe. The movie possesses the prequel characters of Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Pademe, and many more to bring the backstory of the original trilogy to life and set the stage. Recently this movie has become quite popular due to some of its quotes and the memeable fight scene between Obi-Wan and Anakin. Personally, I ranked this movie high on my scale because it is nostalgic for me in that it was a memorable movie to me when I was growing up. I wanted a lightsaber just like Obi-Wan.
3. A New Hope
The original movie that started them all, A New Hope. Released in 1977, this movie has transcended time and created a strong fan base. This movie is a classic and possesses the essence of a Star Wars movie that many will try to recreate. A New Hope showcases an adventure that will change the face of the galaxy sparking hope, change, and resilience despite efforts from dark forces. The light shall prevail in this movie through young Skywalker and his dear friends.
4. Return of The Jedi
In the epic conclusion of the saga, the Empire prepares to crush the Rebellion with a more powerful Death Star while the Rebel fleet mounts a massive attack on the space station. Luke Skywalker confronts Darth Vader in a final climactic duel before the evil Emperor. This confrontation between Vader and Luke is what really makes this movie a cinematic masterpiece. I might be a little biased with my ranking because I love Ewoks, the cutest creatures of the entire galaxy. Who doesn’t love a happy ending?
5. The Force Awakens
The recently released The Force Awakens, reopens the story of the Star Wars galaxy with the character of Rey. Thirty years after the defeat of the Galactic Empire, Han Solo and his young allies face a new threat from the evil Kylo Ren and the First Order. The fresh new characters add a new perspective to the movie and more mysteries within the galaxy to unfold. The cinematography within this movie is breathtaking and the battle scenes are perfect in every way. Thanks to twenty-first century technology Star Wars has become better than ever! I remember seeing this movie in theatres and having my expectations high as I loved the originals so much and to my surprise, I was not disappointed with this movie and wanted to see where the plot would go from there.
If you haven’t seen any of the Star Wars movies I hope you’ll give them a watch! These movies are more than just space adventures. They’re stories about hope, rebellion, finding your voice, and seeking your purpose for the common good. These movies have taught me to take risks and follow my heart but moreover think reasonably as well and listen to the force within me. I hope you enjoy your Star Wars watching and may the force be with you!
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