Happy Star Wars Day, one and all! Every year May 4th rolls around and every year it gives us a chance to reflect on one of the box office’s greatest success stories.
A grand opera of good vs. evil and right vs. wrong, the Star Wars saga has endeared its self to movie-goers the world over. But which Star Wars film is your favorite and why?!Let’s briefly explore each of the stories.
When A New Hope was released in 1977 the audience was thrust into the world of Star Wars, following the adventures of Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Princess Leia, Chewbacca and their two droids R2 D2 and C-3PO, as they battle the Galactic Empire led by the fearsome black-suited lord of the Sith, Darth Vader.
1980 rolled around, bringing with it the highly anticipated sequel, The Empire Strikes Back, hit the screens. Expanding on the universe, Episode V was the darkest hour for our heroes, leading to an epic duel between Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader which culminates in one of the most shocking and famous reveals in cinema history.
Three more years later saw the conclusion of the trilogy: Return of the Jedi. Making their last sand against the Empire, our heroes find that despite the strength and might of their opponent, victory or loss is never a foregone conclusion. Meanwhile Luke faces the Emperor and fights for the redemption of Darth Vader and the freedom of the galaxy.
And so ended the original trilogy. The story of good and evil revolving and swirling around Luke Skywalker’s struggles to become a Jedi Knight like his father before him.
Enter the prequel trilogy. The back story to what was to come.
1999 saw the release of Star Wars Episode I – The Phantom Menace. The movie follows the adventures of a young Jedi Obi Wan Kenobi and his master Qui Gon Jinn as they rescue a queen and inadvertently discover the one who will bring balance to The Force. Anakin Skywalker.
Attack of the Clones was soon to follow, and in 2002 we caught up with an older more experienced Anakin Skywalker and Obi Wan. Struggling to control his inner thoughts and feelings towards Padme Amedala, Anakin straddles the line between right and wrong set to the backdrop of the brewing intergalactic conflict known as The Clone Wars.
Then in 2005 the prequel trilogy was brought to a close with Revenge of the Sith. Increasingly desperate to save his wife from a death he has forseen, Anakin become corrupt and fall to his desires and conflicting feelings. In one of the most spectacular showdowns ever seen on the big screen, we see Anakin face off against his former master Obi Wan and watch as he is damaged beyond repair and forced to adorn the black, iron clad suit that forever immortalises him as Darth Vader.
I know, these suscinct summeried do the movies NO justice, and I know that SO much detail has been missed out, but I hope I managed to accurately depict the core plot points of each!
The Star Wars Saga is an exciting, unique and ground breaking adventure. The original trilogy gave us the thrills and spills of Luke Skywalker and his rebel friends and they fought to save the galaxy, but it was the prequel trilogy tat truly joined the dots and allowed us to see and appreciate the overarching story of the tragedy of Anakin Skywalker.
So here is the question: Which Star Wars movie is your favorite and WHY? Vote here and leave your comments in the comments section below!
Thanks for reading, and of course…may the force be with you!
Josh Gill 