Posted on: Wednesday, May 18, 2005

As the Jedi world turns

By Jack Garner
Gannett News Service

"The Star Wars" numbering system can be confusing.

When George Lucas released the first film in 1977, there were no guarantees of sequels. He simply made the film purposefully to represent a typical middle chapter in an old-fashioned movie serial. Once the sequels went into production, he designated the first film as chapter IV, the next two films as chapters V and VI, and then the final trilogy (actually prequels), as chapters I, II and III.

Here we sum up the films, offer our own ratings on a scale of one to 10 and rate the films against one another:

"Star Wars, Episode IV: A New Hope."

Originally released in 1977 as just "Star Wars," it proved to be a phenomenally popular, robust, old-fashioned adventure film dressed up as a fantasy space epic. It told of the exploits of a boy warrior, Luke Skywalker, who becomes a key figure in a rebellion against an evil galactic empire. If you only watch one "SW" film, this is the one.

Rating: 10. Ranking among the six films: No. 2.

"Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back."

This first sequel was released to even greater acclaim in 1980. Until "Revenge of the Sith" hit the screens, "Empire" was the darkest and most mature of all the "Star Wars" films, exploring a father-son story and featuring some of the most imaginative ideas and effects of any of the films. It dared to be open-ended, a rare thing indeed. And it featured one of the greatest shocks in all of film: "... I am your father."

Rating: 10. Ranking among the six films: No. 1.

"Star Wars VI: Return of the Jedi."

This third film (1983) is an upbeat conclusion to the Luke Skywalker trilogy (chapters 4, 5 and 6). Set largely in a forest planet of overly cute Ewoks, it is entertaining but a bit too cuddly.

Rating: 8. Ranking among the six: No. 5.

"Star Wars, Episode I: The Phantom Menace."

This 1999 film begins the Anakin Skywalker prequel trilogy, the story of how Anakin, the father of Luke and Leia, became a Jedi warrior and then turned into the evil Darth Vader. Part one focuses on his challenging childhood as a slave on Tatooine and his opportunity to become a Jedi student. The most memorable moment is a fast-paced pod race. The least appealing aspect: a comic relief, slapstick character named Jar Jar Binks.

Rating: 8. Ranking among the six: No. 6.

"Star Wars, Episode II: Attack of the Clones."

Anakin, now 20, is a handsome, reckless but brilliant youth in this 2002 film. He violates the Jedi code by falling in love. Meanwhile, we get to see the Clone Wars mentioned in the first trilogy. It's an action-packed, somewhat darker return to the things "Star Wars" does best.

Rating: 9. Ranking among the six: No. 4.

"Star Wars, Episode III: Revenge of the Sith."

The second trilogy ends brilliantly, violently and darkly, as Anakin turns to the dark side and emerges as the evil Sith lord, Darth Vader. Lucas returns to the fine form of the original two films with this epic finale.

Rating: 10. Ranking among the six: No. 3.

Jack Garner, GNS' chief film critic, began his reviewing career with "Star Wars" in 1977.