The Complete Series: Star Wars The Complete Saga (Episodes 1 - 6)

Hello All,

So yeah, I’ve made the decision, with the release of Star Wars The Force Awakens next week, that I must tackle the complete saga before hand to refresh my memory of it all, for better or worse. So before we do that however, we will set out some ground rules:

Rule #1: We will not include the clone wars animated movie. I’m a bigger fan of the live action movies and I’ve never watched the tv series. If the requests are there, we will look at it another time.

Rule #2: The films will be watched in numerical order. That means Phantom Menace first and Return of the Jedi last. Yes I know there are other ways to watch them that people prefer but this is my way and my blog and I do what I want.

Rule #3: Original Theatrical Versions only! Because fuck George Lucas and his compulsive need to edit shit that doesn’t need to be edited. Yes I know there are better fan edits out there, I don’t care, so again if the requests are there we will cover them another time.

Alright, now that we laid out the rules, this post will contain all six movies, that I will write right after I’ve watched. Once they are all done, we will post the whole saga up at once for everyone. So with all that done, let’s take a look shall we?

Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999)

Plot Summary - When the Trade Federation invades the planet of Naboo, Jedi Knights Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) and Obi - Wan Kenobi (Ewan Mcgregor) rescue Queen Amidala (Natalie Portman) with the intent of taking her to Coruscant. Along the way the take in young Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd), who they suspect might be the one to bring balance to the force.

Pros - I think my favorite thing about the film might be the world design. There are so many cool looking planets, ships, droids, and so much other stuff. The final battle of Naboo was great too, and although it had it’s flaws it never really left me that disinterested in what was going on, which might actually make it my favorite part of the movie by far. The cast was mostly solid too, and I honestly think Jake Lloyd gets too much crap for his portrayal as it was mostly not his fault.

Cons - Jar Jar Binks is the stupidest character in this movie and was only needed to advance two plot points, he didn’t need to be so annoying. Now that that’s out of the way the writing is god awful, and aside from a few chuckles most of the dialogue is bad and the attempts at humour mostly fall flat. Basically ninety percent of the movie feels like padding, especially the pod racing scene, and I kind of like the podracing scene. The political crap in the beginning was boring and was the dumbest way I can think of to make Palpatine Emperor, which was basically why the whole movie happened anyways. Seriously, go back and watch it, really pay attention that’s really the whole point of the movie. I’m sure there could’ve been an easier way to do it, hell I haven’t re watched it yet but I’m sure Attack of the Clones did a similar issue better.

Final Score - 5/10

I know, I hate a lot about this film, but I can’t deny that the look of it and the final battle of the film are what keep me from hating it more. It’s not a great Star Wars movie but as a science fiction adventure there have been worse made.

Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002)

Plot Summary - While on her way to Coruscant for a senate meeting, an assassination attempt is made against now Senator Amidala (Natalie Portman.) Fearing for her safety, the chancellor appoints Obi - Wan Kenobi (Ewan Mcgregor) and a now grown up Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) to protect and find her who's trying to kill her.

Pros - It’s definitely an improvement over phantom menace. The acting is much better, the writing is improved, and it still maintains the cool looking worlds, and ship, and creatures, and droids. New characters are cool as well, as we even get to see the origins of a young Boba Fett.

Cons - The plot is thinly written, as a lot of the scenes feel like padding to meet the 2h22m run time. Especially the setup to Anakin and Padme’s romance as it feels very out of place in a Star Wars movie. I’m also not going to say Hayden Christensen was the worst thing ever I just think the wrong aspects of his character development got too much focus.

Final Score - 6/10

I still say it’s better than Phantom Menace, and I did enjoy myself watching it again, if only on a more basic level.

Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005)

Plot Summary - After rescuing the Chancellor from Count Dooku, the Jedi Council begin to suspect the Chancellor’s actions, causing tension with Anakin, with whom he as formed a close friendship with the Chancellor. Meanwhile, the clone wars continue as the republic has the separatist movement on the run.

Pros - The designs and the effects are pretty cool looking as always. the cast is mostly solid, and the story is interesting.

Cons - Christopher Lee and Natalie Portman are underutilized, the romance between padme and anakin plays out awkwardly again. the third act and ending feel too long and rushed to tie up loose plot ends.

Final Score - 7/10

It’s a soft seven, it is definitely the best of the prequels, but overall, they don’t really hold up to the original trilogy.

Star Wars (1977)

Plot Summary - When the plans for the new Death Star station are stolen, Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) sends the plans along with R2D2 and C-3PO to tatooine to find Ben Kenobi and ask him to come to Alderaan. When the droids are intercepted by Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), he meets up with Ben and together with smuggler/pilot Han Solo (Harrison Ford), they try and make the journey to Alderaan.

Pros - I honestly enjoy basically everything about this movie. The writing is strong, the characters are well written, the acting is phenomenal, and truthfully there is really not much else that can compare with Star Wars.

Cons - I guess my only complaint would be that they spend too much time on the Death Star, it does make the final battle seem a bit rushed because of it.

Final Score - 9/10

Overall, I’m glad at this point in my writing of this that I’m finally on to the original films in the series. I had forgotten how much I actually really love this movie and I can’t wait to watch the others.

Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

Plot Summary - After destroying the first Death Star, the rebellion finds itself on the run from the Empire. After their base on Hoth is attacked, Han Solo and Princess Leia attempt to outrun the Imperial Fleet, while Luke goes to the planet Dagobah to receive training from Jedi Master Yoda.

Pros - Much like the previous film on this list, I basically love everything about this movie. Empire is such an improvement on every level that made Star Wars great. The writing is better, the character development is better, it introduces new memorable characters, iconic scenes, lines of dialogue that are still quoted to this very day. This movie is a classic, and if I ever expand my personal favorites list you can bet to see this on it.

Cons - None! Not a damn one.

Final Score - 10/10

This is my personal favorite of the series, and I still have one more to go. If anyone you know has not seen Star Wars yet, make sure you at least get them this far before you see the new one.

Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (1983)

Plot Summary - After rescuing Han Solo from Jabba the Hutt, the rebel alliance proceeds on its plan to eliminate to newly rebuilt Death Star, while Luke prepares to confront Darth Vader and the emperor.

Pros - Once again all the great things about Star Wars are there. The writing, the acting, the story, I even didn’t mind the addition of the Ewoks to the story as they did indeed prove to be helpful.

Cons - It’s lacks the punch that Empire had, it does feel like a slight step down after it.

Final Score - 9/10

Definitely a must watch for anyone new to Star Wars, but to me, not the greatest of the original trilogy.

Apologies for the length of it, but I was on a bit of a time crunch and didn’t even know if I would get it done. There will be a Thursday Night review of The Force Awakens that I’ll do my best to make Spoiler Free.

Until then, I’ll see you folks at the movies.