Hey guys! I’m back again with my worst-to-best series, and today we will be looking at another one of my favorite series, Star Wars! Note that both The Force Awakens and Rogue One will be included in this list, so spoiler warning for both of those films. Without further ado, here we go!

#8 – Episode I: The Phantom Menace

This movie sure is . . . something, to say the least. So, while rewatching this movie, I wrote down some pros and cons of this movie. For the pros, I had the action sequences, which in my opinion are extremely cool and, no matter how bad the prequels are, the action sequences were always great as far as I was concerned. I hope y’all don’t hate me for saying this, but I thought the acting was pretty good for the terrible script this movie had. An obvious con: JAR. JAR. BINKS. Another con I have – which I’ve had since I first saw the movie – which is the pod-race sequence. That ties in with another con – pacing, which killed the movie, especially on Tattooine, along with all the momentum it had from the Naboo scenes. (Turns out pacing was the real Phantom Menace.) Speaking of the main villain, let’s talk about Darth Maul, who was on screen for twelve minutes out of a 136-minute movie. The only way to describe this is ridiculous, although his lightsaber fight was beautiful and exciting. Unfortunately, the negatives outweigh the positives for this film, and it cannot move higher on the list.

#7 – Episode II: Attack of the Clones

“I hate sand. It’s rough, and coarse, and irritating, and it gets everywhere.” – Anakin Skywalker

If I could spin this quote around for my thoughts on this movie, it would go like this: “I highly dislike this movie. It’s rough. Really rough.” Now, this movie does have things going for it, like the acting, which really isn’t the usual problem in a Star Wars movie. Before I go into rant mode, whenever my friends and I discuss the prequels, Hayden Christensen and his bad acting gets brought up all the time, and, don’t get me wrong, I see where they are coming from, but it’s not the acting that is bad, it’s the script that’s awful. This movie, to be honest, has some amazing action sequences and plot moments, but the same thing happens as in the first one, where the momentum died a horrible death. The lore of this movie is actually really good, but some of The Young and the Restless sequences featuring Star Wars really worsen the movie. I am a fan of some of the relationship-building between Anakin and Padmé, but again, some of it contradicts itself. Although Obi-Wan is a big plus for this film, and Jango, or Boba Fett, or whoever the heck it is (I can never remember) was also a plus. Again, though, the negatives greatly outweigh the positives. Quickly, before my next pick, I need to recommend something to watch on Netflix called Star Wars: the Clone Wars, which is incredible. I highly recommend it.

#6 – Rogue One

I realize this movie was very well-received, but to me, it kind of ruins Episode IV and is unnecessary. Before going too much into a rant, this movie is literally just plugging the plot hole of “why is there a hole in the Death Star that could be used to destroy it?” Another thing is that the characters suck! They are so bland and stereotypical that it aches. Jyn Erso is so flip-floppy; for example, after the death of her father, she said she wanted nothing to do with the rebellion, but fifteen minutes later, she is willing to sacrifice herself. The reason that this movie is higher than the others is because of the beautiful action sequences. Now, to the reasons, this ruins Episode IV. The Rebel Alliance was pessimistic during the entire movie, but in IV they are full of hope. In the final action sequence, the Rebel Alliance, who stated they were not going to help, all of a sudden sent at least 45 X-Wings, but in Episode IV they are low on supplies. Another thing is that they destroy the AT-AT in two seconds, yet in Episode V it took four ships. How do they struggle so much later on? The thing they could’ve done is add scenes to show the change, but it is left up to assumption. Disney needs to just make movies that help expand the universe, not cover a plot hole almost no one cares about.

#5 – Episode VI: Return of the Jedi

Even as a kid, I never really was into this movie, but I still get some enjoyment out of it. The opening scene in Jabba’s Palace had a darker tone to it, and I really enjoy a dark tone, but then we’re introduced to the Ewoks. After we meet the Ewoks, the whole movie starts to fall apart because all of the Ewok sequences and how they destroyed AT-ATs with logs on a rope. The Death Star II: Electric Boogaloo sequences were rather good, along with the Vader vs. Luke battle. We saw the Emperor in person in this film and it was done really well, along with great acting! The connection between Luke and Vader was captured rather well in this film, and it was a good end to the saga. Han and Leia’s relationship was also captured well in this movie. But the movie doesn’t make it any further up here because, well, Return of the Pacing.

#4 – Episode IV: A New Hope

“Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi – you’re my only hope.” – Princess Leia

A famous line for a famous movie. I quite enjoy this movie and will rewatch it every once and a while. Now, there are some reasons this movie isn’t higher on my list.  One reason is because – you knew this was coming – the pacing of the Death Star plot. I know, I’ve mentioned pacing throughout all of these mini-reviews, even in my Harry Potter reviews, and it’s because some movies go too fast at certain spots, and sometimes scenes are too dragged out. For example, with this movie, I felt that we could’ve spent a little more time at the Rebel base near the end of the film, although the acting was spectacular. Also, the villains were spectacular, but again, pacing is the thing that holds this movie back from going anywhere higher on the list.

#3 – Episode III: Revenge of the Sith

I realize this movie doesn’t exactly match up with the others, but this movie has a special place in my heart. When my grandpa (who has sadly passed) and I went down to Florida, we would always watch this movie on VHS at least once, and it would always cut off with twelve minutes left in the movie, but I loved it anyway. Being totally honest, I still do love this movie: the action sequences are awesome, the acting was great, and I love the dark tone. I feel like this is what was needed in the other prequels; the sense that something truly evil was on the rise. But, unfortunately, we did not get that. Also, this movie includes the birth of one of my favorite characters in all of fiction: Darth Vader. The relationship between Anakin and Obi-Wan was done extremely well in this film, especially in the final fight scene. That scene, in particular, was the best lightsaber fight in all of Star Wars. I enjoy this movie very much, which is why I have it so far up my list.

#2 – Episode VII: The Force Awakens

I understand this movie was like a redo of Episode IV but, regardless, I enjoyed this movie so much. Now, these characters are great, although I don’t quite get why everyone loves Poe. Finn was a great addition to the universe, and I loved how this movie balanced its light and dark tones. Kylo Ren is a fantastic villain, not even close to Vader, but pretty good. Rey, however, is kind of a mixed bag, because I enjoyed her character all the way up until the final fight. Then she picked up a lightsaber, closed her eyes, and defeated someone with at least years of experience over her. I feel like the fight should’ve been closer; if she barely won, then I would’ve been fine. Overall, though, I really enjoy this movie.

#1 – Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back

This movie is brilliant. No: this movie is perfect. Vader, who is my favorite Star Wars character, got really fleshed out here, and I like Luke more than I did in Episode IV. (Full disclosure: I am not a huge Luke fan.) Furthermore, Han and Leia got some great development as well. This movie is perfect in tone and pacing. You know what? I’m done. This movie is a masterpiece.

Thank you all for reading! I hope you enjoyed it. Let me know your rankings down below