What is your favorite Star Wars movie and why?

[nytemare]

I haven't been too impressed with the latest two. I was dissappointed in the plot and the fact that the story did not seem to "grab" you like the the original three.

I would have to say my favorite is Return of the Jedi, because of the theme of resolution and redemption.

[skygazer]

1. The first one

I thought the rest all sucked.

[CornField]

4. Yeah -- but not necessarily because of the film

I was invited to go with my older brother and his two friends (I think some type of a deal he made with my parents -- poor guy LOL!)

I remember us waiting in line for hours in Tulsa... my brother finished reading the book while we waited. I left the theater thinking it was the greatest movie ever... several years later I saw it again and couldn't help but laugh about the cheesy graphics. :)

[flamingyouth]

8. Me too

I'll never forget standing in line for two hours to see that and just being blown away by it.

[skygazer]

11. I saw it seven or eight times that summer

I was 16. Just the whole romance of being able to go to far away places and see strange sights - it was big and haunting to me. The story appealed to my gut, a sort of tragedy with heros and villains but set in a totally different environment and the effects, at the time, were incredible.

I still get that when I watch the first one but the rest just left me cold. I waited with such anticipation for the second one and it disappointed me. There was just such a poetic quality to the first and I never felt that on any of the others.

[flamingyouth]

12. I do like The Empire Strikes Back

But not nearly as much as the first one, which I saw in fourth grade. Again, just LOVED it and still do.

[Zero Gravitas]

31. the original first one

before Lucas messed with it and renamed it Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope ™

[stinkeefresh]

38. I am pretty sure that was always the title.

I mean, it always said that at the top of the opening scroll anyway.

[kaitykaity]

40. Agreed.

Lucas knew he had a money machine, but he didn't have
another story to tell, so he started pulling crap out
of his butt to keep the cash spout flowing.

[stinkeefresh]

44. wow.

That is just totally off base, IMO. You may not like his films, but believe me, HE thinks they're an important part of one big story. You don't spend three years and your own money to make a film that's just supposed to bring in some cash.

You just knock off the original and slap a "Re-loaded" after the title.

[kaitykaity]

53. Didn't like the Matrix sequels, eh?

I never saw them.

I didn't like the films after the first one, and maybe
Empire. Empire still had some of the magic.

But Return and the rest are just crap. I'm sorry, but
they just are.

[stinkeefresh]

54. I didn't even like the original so much.

I can't vouch for Jedi, but Phantom and Clones are brilliant political intrigue films, and highly relevant to our present political situation.

I'm sorry but they just are.

[kaitykaity]

55. Political intrigue my ***.

This series started out about action and adventure, not
political intrigue.

Natalie Portman is on codeine, the two rescuers are saints
when Han Solo was a pirate, and the special effects
gobble up so much space that there's no room for real
story.

And don't EVEN get me started on that kid who played Anakin.

[stinkeefresh]

56. lol. You put it in such a funny way

I can barely argue. But believe me, they are. All the important events are political in nature. Don't tell me you were distacted by that whole Trade Federation bru-ha-ha, 'cause sister, that was nothing but a phantom menace.

And saints? No... Qui Gon was about the worst Jedi I've ever seen.

[kaitykaity]

57. Problem is the characters are so wooden and stony

that it's literally impossible for me to invest in or
care about them.

I could never say that about Ms. "Aren't you a little short
for a storm trooper?" Leia.

And thanks. I think. I hardly doubt anything will ever
prevent you from arguing.

:evilgrin:

[stinkeefresh]

58. I totally agree.

The actors are infinitely superior in the older films. Probably because those projects were so chaotic that the actors had the opportunity to do their own thing.

In the recent films it's all so controlled. I mean, who doesn't love Ewan- but even he seems like he's trying to act while trapped in a tiny box.

But it's not the acting I'm interested in- it's Palpatine and how he's doing what he's doing. Evil rat. I know people think Anakin/Vader is the star of the series, but read "Rise and Fall of the Third Reich" and tell me who the main character is- I'll give you a hint, it ain't Goebbels.

Plus all the "figuring it all out" conversations I get to have with my friends. For example, I think Episode III may reveal that Palpatine is Anakin's father, making him Luke's grand father. Talking about why that may or may not be true is what I like about these movies.

[kaitykaity]

64. Okay, yes, Palpatine is interesting.

And it would be a twist if he somehow were to turn out
to be Anakin/Vader's father.

But good blowing up evil was what made the first movie
so marvelous. It was so deliciously simple and incredibly
satisfying. I remember the cheers in the theater when the
Death Star blew.

That's another problem -- that story is archetypical. It
resonates deep. This other stuff in these other movies is
just ho-hum drama dressed up in CG special effects.

Yawn.

[Hong Kong Cavalier]

2. The Empire Strikes Back

No question about it. While it didn't have the massive battle at the end that A New Hope and Return of the Jedi did, it had sharp acting all around, a tight plot, and excellent direction. (Yes, that's a direct dig at George Lucas, who spins a great yarn, but shouldn't be allowed to write the screenplays for any more Star Wars movies or direct them.)

[mac56]

6. Second the motion for Empire.

A New Hope dazzled me, but Empire added substance. I never really cared for Return of the Jedi.

[bkcc]

9. Amen.

"Empire" is the one that makes all the rest worthwhile.
(New films excluded. Those movies are just utter trash.)

[Phillycat]

3. Empire. Because the rest of them suck.

[stinkeefresh]

14. The first Star Wars sucks? A New Hope?

Just wanted to clarify your perspective. I've never heard of someone who liked Empire and hated New Hope.

[Phillycat]

18. Yep.

[stinkeefresh]

22. excellent. just wanted to be sure.

FWIW, my good friend plays organ for the Sox, and he won't watch any of them.

[Phillycat]

24. Do you live in Boston?

[stinkeefresh]

26. Not anymore, but many of my friends do.

I'm going back in a week- to southern Maine really, where my folks live.

[stinkeefresh]

5. My guess is that it will be Episode III

The teaser wasn't that great, but the plot will surely involve all the sinister machinations that had been hidden in the shadows in Eps. I and II being brought to light. Namely, the Emperor will be revealed and the good guys will finally realize what they could not see before. (and maybe some of the haters will have the same experience!)

Of course, I adore the first trilogy, but it doesn't give me nearly as much to think about as this new trilogy. Then again, maybe I'm just particularly interested in an epic story of how Fascist Empires emerge out out of Democratic Societies.

[Fenris]

7. Empire.

Best written and best made of the three (I do not count the current prequels - George Lucas will burn in Hell for Jar-Jar Binks).

[stinkeefresh]

13. Is Jar-Jar really any more irritating than C-3P0?

I mean, if C-3P0 wasn't in the first one, but a later addition, would he not have pissed you off too?

[nytemare]

39. Yes

C3PO is that character that everybody has at work, the know it all full of useless information, but he could translate at least. Jar-Jar was just a pain in the butt.

[stinkeefresh]

46. that's not why we like C-3P0

We like him because he's in the original, and we love the original. If Jar-Jar were in the first movie we ever saw, we'd forgive the annoyance without thinking.

[bmbmd]

10. Well-my first date with the girl who became my wife

was to the original "Star Wars". That turned out pretty good.

[tsakshaug]

15. The christmas special

[stinkeefresh]

17. With the Wookies?

You're just being funny. Good joke, though.

[buddhamama]

16. the first one

for sentimental reasons. it was the first movie i saw in an actual movie theater. up till then it had been drive-in movies for me.

[WoodrowFan]

19. Part 1, with Jar Jar

Just kidding, but I feel sorry for that episode. And for Jar Jar....

[billyskank]

20. I was about to jump in and say "The Wrath Of Khan!"

Thank God I looked before before posting!

[Hell Hath No Fury]

21. My favorite was the first...

because it was so fresh for the time. I saw it 12 times in the theatre.

IMO, the best made SW film is "Empire", without a doubt.

Lucas' last efforts have been utter dung.

I saw a preview of "Phantom" with a theatre full of Lucas employees who had worked on the film -- some of them for years. When the end credits rolled there was only the politest of applause. Everyone was pretty stunned by how shitty the movie was.

[stinkeefresh]

23. I'm pretty stunned by how widespread that opinion is.

I love that movie. Brilliant. (yes, I know the dialogue sucks and the acting is weak, but there are more important things in a movie- such as, I don't know, what actually happens.)

[Hell Hath No Fury]

68. Sorry, but I'm old fashioned....

I like good dialogue and acting, in fact I don't think a film can be any good without it. :shrug:

[Forkboy]

25. Empire,for having the balls to NOT have a happy ending

[stinkeefresh]

27. Well, Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones

have much, MUCH less happy endings, and no one gives them any credit for it. (except me)

[Forkboy]

29. Yeah,but those two were crap

:evilgrin:

And I'd have to disagree they were less happy anyways.Han Solo frozen,Luke's hand cutoff,finding out the evilest man in the universe is your dad... :)

[stinkeefresh]

32. none of that is as bad as:

A fascist dictator gaining control of the Senate (ep1) or sed dictator tricking the good guys into starting the first real war in memory (ep2).

The good guys don't notice those events, but they are the heart of the films. What's one guys hand?

I know most people prefer films about swashbuckling heroes, but I like that Lucas chose to make the new films political intrigues instead. Perhaps not as immediately gripping, but much more thought provoking and far more interesting to me- these days especially.

[Forkboy]

33. I do agree that the new ones seem more relevant in today's climate

I also dont really think they are crap :)

[stinkeefresh]

34. You don't?!

Jeebus, I thought I was the only person on DU that had even the smallest amount of respect for them. One of these days, when I've got some time, I'll start a thread about it and take on all the haters.

Come to think of it, I'll need a whole lot of time...

[Forkboy]

37. They are the victim of over expectation

There was no way they were going to be accepted up there with the first three.I dont think they're great,but they are far better than a lot of other movies that are released weekly.

[stinkeefresh]

42. Exactly.

There's no one else out there even TRYING to do what these films do. When some one else brings me a six part, multi-generational saga with both important political overtones and cool spaceships, then maybe I'll get on Lucas' case a bit.

Until then, he's really all we've got.

[tigerbeat]

45. lucas paid up in full with me in 1977

everything after that is icing on the cake as far as i'm concerned.

[stinkeefresh]

49. right ON.

[Forkboy]

50. Keep an eye out for Red Mars coming to Sci-Fi

It's a four hour miniseries based on the book by Kim Stanley Robinson covering generations as they first come to,and terraform Mars.It goes deeply into the various political factions (some want Mars to be terraformed,others want to preserve it as it is,etc).It's the most intelligent book of it's type I've ever read (and the Mars Constitution is a thing of beauty!).

"If you are looking for a way to fully experience the landscape, geography, and possible future history of our neighboring planet, Red Mars is a great starting point. Winner of the 1993 Nebula award for best novel from the SF Writers of America, the book is a return to "hard" science fiction, based on a detailed and thorough knowledge of current Mars science. The first book of a trilogy including Green Mars and Blue Mars, Red Mars is a possible future history of the colonization of Mars by a group of scientists chosen by Russia and the United States, and their efforts to create a new lifestyle on the new planet. It includes up-to-date technology with ideas which are still only theoretically possible, as well as political and psychological theory, a thorough understanding of the myths of Mars as well as other literature, and an intriguing and comprehensive storyline. Overall, Red Mars is a masterwork of the possible, as well as a thought-provoking look at the human psyche and its relationship to environment."

from http://hubcap.clemson.edu/~sparks/marsindx.html

[stinkeefresh]

52. That sounds

fantastic. Thanks for the heads up.

[Sophree]

61. I completely agree.

Everyone was so hyped up for Episode I then they completely dogged it when it came out.

Yes, Jar Jar was annoying, but the rest of the movie was great, IMO.

Episode II/Clones is probably my favorite, so far. The political aspects, as well as the spiritual struggle between good and evil couldn't be more appropriate for the times we live in.

The acting in the love scenes is pretty bad, but some of the acting in the first trilogy is bad, too.

And you're right, Lucas isn't doing this to pad his resume or wallet. He modeled his stories on the Tolkien Lord of the Rings formula and the entire backstory represented in Episodes 1-3 was written when he made the original trilogy.

This is an excellent interview he did with Bill Moyers a few years ago, if you haven't read it:

http://www.next-wave.org/may99/starwars.htm

On edit: Personally, can't wait for Episode III to come out. 6 more months!!!

[tigerbeat]

41. i'll back you up.

PHANTOM MENACE is somewhat weak, but at the end of the day i think it's watchable. the story could have been told in 1/4 the time and the existence of jar jar binks is only minorly less offensive than the existence of the ewoks. but the light sabre battle rules, darth maul was a great villian, ian mcdiarmand is terrific (as is ewan macgregor) and the effects are pretty tremendous.

ATTACK OF THE CLONES is huge fun. apart from the terrible love scene dialogue and hayden christensen's.....um.....simmering.... the plot is good, they leave the humor to the gay robot rather than the aquatic stepinfetchit and three words: yoda lightsabre duel.

i actually think i'm one of the few people on the planet that believes RETURN OF THE JEDI to be a crapfest. much worse than PHANTOM MENACE IMHO.

[Sophree]

62. Exactly what I was trying to say about Attack of the Clones.

lol

I've found if you watch it on DVD and skip through the love scenes, the movie is much, much better.

[nytemare]

47. I think the screenwriting could have been SO MUCH BETTER

The special effects were dazzling, the basic plot line was good, but the movie just didn't make me FEEL the way the Star Wars, Empire, and Return did. In the first ones, I HATED the Emperor, and was rooting for the good guys, hoping Solo would redeem himself, and I was curious what would happen with Vader. I wanted to know!

In the new ones, I didn't care as much about the characters, they seemed one dimensional, and not real. They are "quasi-evil, the margarine of evil." It seemed they devoted too much to special effects and not enough to the depth of plot development. Parts I and II only seem like they are a crummy road map to IV. It is like a cursory "here ya go, this is how you got to this point" with not much feeling behind it.

:shrug: I just hope Lucas brings the FEELING back in episode III.

[stinkeefresh]

51. I agree that the dialogue is junk.

And I guess I agree about the lack of feeling. But that sort of goes with the territory. Ever see another political intrigue movie, like Otto Preminger's "Advise and Consent"? They just aren't as emotional as a good hero's adventure. If Lucas had made another trilogy about a hero's journey, it would certainly have been more emotional, but he went for the politics. Personally, I like it.

And that scene in Clones where Anakin massacres the sand people- that was pretty emotional to me, and in a far darker way than anything in eps IV thru VI.

[Left Is Write]

28. The original.

Edited to add the why: It was the first sci-fi movie I ever saw (I was eleven when it was released), and I thought it was the most thrilling, exciting adventure of my life. And even at that tender young age, I developed quite a crush on Han Solo. ;)

I also like The Empire Strikes Back and Return Of The Jedi, but none of them had the same thrill for me as the first.

[Kire]

30. Gamorrean Guards are so cute!

[tigerbeat]

35. the best movie is EMPIRE

but NEW HOPE is the sentimental favorite. i also think it's definitely the funniest.

i gotta come to the defense of the prequels. apart from jar jar and the fact that PHANTOM MENACE tells a story that could have been told in 30 minutes, i'm at peace with the prequels and think as a whole Episodes I and II are both better than JEDI which holds up terribly over the years.

[stinkeefresh]

36. hmmm.. your post intrigues me.

Care to elaborate on the 30 minutes thing? I haven't heard that complaint before.

[tigerbeat]

43. check my post above...

...i pretty much dig PHANTOM MENACE, but i think it suffers from a padded script.

the sequence in the gungan city is so unnecessary. we spend WAAAAAAAY too much time on tatoonine, and the pod race (while cool to look at) forwards the plot not at all. it's not until we get to coruscant that things start to kick in. personally i thought lucas could have covered anakin's childhood in about half an hour then fast forwarded a few years and show us more of his training and establish the jedi order a bit more.

[stinkeefresh]

48. great points

The last time I saw Phantom, however, I became enthralled with young Anakin's plotting. I have little proof of this, because Lucas never lets us in on his character's inner thoughts (Luke wears every feeling he has out on his sleeve, but most of the other characters you have to infer thier states-of-mind from thier actions) but consider:

Anakin is the only human capable of Pod racing, and has never actually finished a race, yet he is 100% certain that he will win. How can this be? Stupid childish hope? I don't think that's the nature of this character. I think Anakin has been capable of winning a pod race for a long time, but has hidden this fact from everyone, especially Watto. He is waiting until the right moment- the moment when winning will buy him something he truly wants- his freedom.

Once I saw this, I started to see that Anakin, even at that young age, is playing everyone- especially Qui Gon, who is not a very talented Jedi. It is Anakin who hatches the plans and he who makes them a reality. He is a very careful, smart character playing like an innocent child.

So I think his childhood is very interesting, personaly. He is more obvious and therefore more boring in Clones, to me.

[njdemocrat106]

59. Phantom Menace. I admit it.

Don't ask me why, but I just do. :)

[stinkeefresh]

60. Yes!

Just when i think I'm alone in a sea of haters. Good on you, friend.

[Longgrain]

63. Like most people

The first one, though I think Empire was better, the first one holds more nostalgic value for me. Defining "Best" can not be limited only to quality....

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

65. Empire Strikes Back, followed by the original Star Wars. The rest pretty

much blow.

[sweetheart]

66. first one and empire strikes back

They ruined it when they ruined darth vader. Darth made star wars
great, and with his demise the films have gone.

The second one has more complexity than the first, making it
fun. Strangely, so few films out-do their "first" one... empire
achieved this, IMO, and the latest ones are dross.

Spider man 2 is better than 1.... ... one of the few few exceptions
to the sequal-sucks rule.

[Bombtrack]

67. Return of the Jedi. Apparently I'm supposed to "grow up" about what my

favorite is from when I'm a kid. But I don't care. I'm not gonna change. The battle over the sarlacc is the best land battle/fight of the 3 movies IMO. And the 2nd death star is the best space battle.

Plus Chewie and Vader's costume's look the best out of the 3 movies.

The prequels blow so bad they've made me dislike Star Wars altogether.