Summer Binge Watch — May the Force Be With You

This week Comic Con in San Diego begins, and for the first time in years, there is a new "Star Wars" movie to discuss. In fact, said new movie opens December 18, 2015 — not that I'm counting the days… There have been six films in the "Star Wars" cannon so far, and now seems like the perfect time to binge watch them before the next chapter arrives.

Below is my rating of the six existing films in order of quality. Hint: "The Phantom Menace" is at the bottom of this list.

1. Star Wars: Episode V — The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
About: I joke about "The Phantom Menace" — OK, it's not really a joke — but it's always exciting when you have a "Star Wars" film to watch. However, some are more sublime than others. For me, "The Empire Strikes Back" is the greatest in the cannon of "Star Wars." It was the second film made, but is technically chapter five. In the middle chapter of trilogies, things often get darker. Sometimes that works well, creating an excellent film. Sometimes it can be a drag. In terms of "Star Wars," it works to perfection. There is nothing about "Empire" that I don't love. The story is great, the performances are a big step up over the first movie, and it leaves the story in a devastating place that makes you yearn for the next installment. At the same time, it's a wonderful stand alone film and story. Some might quibble because the central characters are spread out for much of the film, but that allows stories to deepen. If I could only watch one "Star Wars" movie for the rest of my life, it would be "Empire Strikes Back."
Rating: PG for sci-fi action violence
Verdict: Four stars out of four.

2. Star Wars: Episode VI — Return of the Jedi (1983)
About: The conclusion to the first trilogy set to film, and the sixth chapter in the story, "Jedi" is where we've left off — and presumably where "Episode VII" will pick up. It's a great concluding chapter, wrapping things up, advancing stories and characters, and creating some memorable moments. I like this film a lot. Some quibble about the Ewocks and what they bring to the table, but that never bothered me much. This is a victory lap for Han Solo (Harrison Ford), Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) and Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher), and it works. I don't love it as much as "Empire Strikes Back" — maybe that's because I like darker stories — but this is a good film, and a must see as "Star Wars" research.
Rating: PG for sci-fi action violence.
Verdict: Four stars out of four.

3. Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith (2005)
About: This is probably the most controversial moment of this countdown. Most people would have all the original trilogy far above the prequels, and I understand that thinking. The prequels aren't as great. However, I don't have as much love for "Episode IV" as others. Perhaps it's because it wasn't as seminal to my childhood. And perhaps it's because I like darker stories. But I think "Episode III" is the best of the prequels and, if I'm being honest, I enjoy watching more than "Episode IV." It doesn't end in a happy place, it's not a happy story, and it's still burdened by acting from Hayden Christensen. But let's be honest, the acting of a young Hamill and Fisher isn't incredible in "Episode IV," either. I like the fight sequences and the way all the familiar things come together in "Episode III," and I think it's a big step up from the other prequels.
Rating: PG-13 for sci-fi violence and some intense images
Verdict: Three stars out of four

4. Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope (1977)
About: This is a good movie, but it's middle of the pack among "Star Wars" films for me. It's important because it introduces the world and is revolutionary from a filmmaking standpoint. It has some iconic scenes, too. But it's far from a perfect film. It's a good film and an important film, but there are parts that drag to me. To some this film is sacrosanct, and I can understand that, but to me it's just a good movie that paves the way for something better.
Rating: PG for sci-fi violence and brief mild language
Verdict: Three stars out of four

5. Star Wars: Episode II — Attack of the Clones (2002)
About: This is the point where we have some dramatic fall off in "Star Wars" movies. There are some memorable moments in "Clones," including seeing Yoda kick butt. And it's an improvement over the first prequel. But this isn't a great film. It builds the story, it's still a part of "Star Wars," but if you started at the beginning — meaning "Episode I" — and you'd never seen "Star Wars," but the end of this movie you might be wondering what the hype is all about. This movie is just OK, and would be better without Christensen and if George Lucas had someone else direct it. Plus, it feels too reliant on special effects and green screen.
Rating: PG for sustained sequences of sci-fi action/violence
Verdict: Two stars out of four

6. Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace (1999)
About: "Star Wars" was something I had seen many, many times on video as a kid, but never on the big screen. I was two when "Jedi" came out, so I had just seen "Star Wars" in my home. But the summer I graduated from high school, a new "Star Wars" movie was released in theaters. I couldn't wait. If you've seen "The Phantom Menace," you know what a disappointment that experience was. The movie isn't good. The title is great, the fact it's "Star Wars" gets you excited, but the story and performances are not good. My wife had only ever seen one "Star Wars" film — "The Phantom Menace" — which explained why she thought "Star Wars" was stupid. Even by low standards, it isn't good. It's important to see because it's part of the "Star Wars" story, but it's not a movie you ache to see again and again. Let's hope by the end of December this becomes the seventh best "Star Wars" film ever made.
Rating: PG for sci-fi action/violence
Verdict: One star out of four