The Star Wars franchise is one of the most important, beloved, and best pop culture franchises in history. Since 1977, there have been eleven live-action films in the franchise, with each one receiving a fair share of adoration (alongside a lot of criticism, of course) with fans. However, even the biggest of critics would be able to name some things they enjoyed.
While the Star Wars movies have a multitude of similarities, each of them does at least one thing better than the rest. Whether that be a filmmaking aspect, a narrative aspect, or something as simple as a character, all eleven have something the others do not.
The Phantom Menace (1999): Variety
The Phantom Menace may not be the most popular Star Wars movie, but there are plenty of reasons why prequel fans love it, and one thing the movie definitely has is variety.
The movie has space battles, inner Sith workings, and a thrilling podrace sequence. It also looks into the Jedi Order, has main character deaths, and incredible lightsaber duels. The movie may not execute all these things, like the space battle, amazingly, but it still covers a wide range of things in its runtime that keep fans entertained for hours.
Attack Of The Clones (2002): Political Intrigue
Even more, vilified than The Phantom Menace over the years is Attack Of The Clones. However, this doesn't mean that there aren't some things done better than any other film. Whether it is a universally beloved element or not, Attack of the Clones has political intrigue.
Not only are there assassination attempts made on a Senator's life, but there are political discussions around war, an apparent commission of a clone army, as well as the rise of the Separatist alliance that was tied to Count Dooku. Some may hate political intrigue in Star Wars, but this episode does it better than any other, giving way to some great scenes Attack Of The Clones.
Revenge Of The Sith (2005): Dark Storytelling
Star Wars can often find itself at its most powerful and emotional when it tells darker stories, with more heavy narratives, such as in The Clone Wars or Revenge of the Sith.
It does dark better than any Star Wars movie. With help from The Clone Wars, the story of Anakin's fall, the tragedy of Order 66, and the Battle of the Heroes all hit exceptionally hard. Revenge does dark brilliantly, being the most brutal Star Wars movie, helping make it so beloved by fans, the perfect end of the prequel trilogy.
Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018): Chewbacca
Solo has a case for being the most underrated Star Wars film, with the movie featuring some great characters, top-notch acting performances, and a fantastic adventure story.
The one thing it does best is Chewbacca. It is his and Han's movie. Chewie gets so much time to shine; to show off his skills and personality, all the while adding to his backstory. He is great throughout the original movies, but this is where fans see him best.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016): War
Rogue One: A Star War Story may struggle with aspects of its character development and its first two acts. However, it is in its third act that the movie truly shines as it features a highly emotional and epic battle.
The Battle of Scarif, both on the ground and in space, was brilliant. Seeing stormtroopers and rebels fighting with such vigor was better than anything fans have gotten in any other movie, especially since audiences see that the rebels were not all pure and good. The rebellion is splintered, Imperials are defecting, and alongside the visual beauty, fans see that the war is not just morally black and white. Some fans also believe the way the ending linked into A New Hope was amazing too as it showed how Leia acquired the plans to the Death Star.
A New Hope (1977): Creativity
A New Hope kicked off the Star Wars saga and is undoubtedly one of its most adored films, so full of heart, hope, adventure, and, of course, creativity.
When watching the movie, the audience cannot help but be injected into the story and the adventure as they are enthralled by the hero's journey and the battle against tyranny and evil. Audiences can also see what an imaginative masterpiece George Lucas created if they take a closer look at all the details he included in the sets, costumes, and the different alien species. Although all the other Star Wars movies have tried to amaze audiences with their special effects, there will always be something unique about the original.
The Empire Strikes Back (1980): Overall Narrative
It's hard to pinpoint just one thing that makes The Empire Strikes Back so outstanding. It is simply the best Star Wars movie from a narrative perspective, with the best overall story.
Every part of the movie is just gold, starting with the Battle of Hoth all the way to the end on Bespin. Not only does the movie beautifully build on what happened in A New Hope, but it also sets the scene for Return Of The Jedi. Audiences also can't forget how one of the biggest cinematic reveals occurred in this movie, changing the franchise (and the movie industry) forever. Everything in this film is a work of art.
Return Of The Jedi (1983): Fist-Pumping Heroics
If there is one original trilogy movie that fans are totally okay criticizing and commenting on the flaws of, it is Return of the Jedi. However, this does not mean the movie was an awful way to close out the trilogy.
It may not be as deep or imaginative in its writing as its predecessors, but it has so many moments that just make the fans feel great and hopeful, like they want to pump their fists with joy. From the killing of Jabba the Hutt to the explosion of the shield generator to Luke professing that he is a Jedi, it is all such a feel-good ride.
The Force Awakens (2015): Blending The Old With The New For All Generations
There have been many criticisms about The Force Awakens' rehashing A New Hope's story and plot devices. However, there is no denying the movie helped ease an older generation into a new time while introducing a whole new set of fans to the Skywalker saga.
With the brilliant use of Han Solo throughout the movie, a slew of potential new characters, as well as John Williams' iconic score, The Force Awakens was a safe film, but one that helped Star Wars transition into its new era, along with the fans.
The Last Jedi (2017): Character Struggles
Compared to the other movies, The Last Jedi may be the deepest and emotionally gripping movie of all as it explores the characters' struggles.
Some of the best characters in The Last Jedi are shown to go through an identity crisis. Rey struggles with her identity, Kylo fights an internal battle between light and dark, Luke struggles with his guilt, Poe is trying to learn how to be a good leader, Finn struggles with his place in the Galaxy, and Leia struggles with the loss of her son and brother while keeping the Resistance alive. No other movie deals with so many different great characters struggling with a variety of issues in such a well-done way as The Last Jedi does.
The Rise Of Skywalker (2019): C-3PO
Saying that the only thing The Rise Of Skywalker managed to do better than every other Star Wars film is C-3PO may be harsh. However, in a movie that had a lot of heart and good intentions (but not a lot of brains), Threepio was shockingly great.
Of course, alongside Artoo, Threepio was good in the original trilogy. But in this film, he gets given so much to do and had some genuinely emotional and powerful moments. He is full of funny lines, story points, with an important role to play. His calling Artoo his best friend and willingness to give up his memory were two highlights of the film.