13 live-action extended universe Star Wars movies. A Star Wars marathon like no other. Nick Clement delivers his verdict.
We did it. As a family, we watched all 13 live-action extended universe Star Wars movies.
Owen is four and a half years old and while some of the running times tested his truck-obsessed patience, overall, he was a big fan, he kept asking for more each day, and he’s now requesting a Star Wars birthday party in December.
His highlights included the Ewoks (Wickett is a big deal in our house so haters can EAT IT), anything with BB-8, anything with Yoda, asking about which were “good guy ships” and “bad guy ships” until he quickly picked up on the differences, and a continued fascination with “bad guys,” as well as being completely mesmerized by Anakin Skywalker’s rather grisly transformation into Darth Vader, or, as he calls him, “the Ultimate Bad Guy.”
Star Wars Marathon – Live-Action Movies Ranked
Revisiting all of these was – I have to say – a big blast of fun – and in the cases of the prequels – it was the first time I saw that batch of films since the theater. Below is a personal ranking of all of the efforts.
The Empire Strikes Back
One of the best films of all-time, and one of the best sequels ever made, improving upon the first entry, and setting the stakes for the future. So much ACTION ON HOTH POWER.
Return of the Jedi
A childhood favorite due to my everlasting adoration of all things Ewoks and Wickett. Again, blow it outta your ass if you don’t like the Ewoks – you have no soul.
Star Wars
A game-changer – a genre-definer – and simply a glorious space adventure that never ceases to entertain.
Rogue One
The modern, ground-level, politically-charged, and gritty “Star Wars as a Real War Picture” that we never knew we wanted or needed but that absolutely kicks-ass.
I’d still love to see the original, supposedly even more radical version, but the Tony Gilroy-assisted-hybrid has an amazing visual texture, and the finale which feeds into A New Hope, while not making full-sense, is really fun to see play-out.
Ewoks: Battle for Endor
I watched this 5,457 times on VHS when I was a kid and I can’t wait to watch it another 5,457 times with Owen over the next few years.
Thank you so much to my sister for getting me the now OOP and expensive DVD a while back. So much visibly annoyed Wilford Brimley POWER and loads of Teak POWER.
The Last Jedi
The most “controversial” entry in the entire franchise – and I still don’t understand why everyone was bitching and moaning.
It actually broke the mold, tried something new, took some chances, and hey, it LOOKS FREAKING FABULOUS (all of the recent stuff is stunning in terms of visual design and seamless CGI) and has some tremendous individual shots.
Revenge of the Sith
I had forgotten how graphic and hard-core the finale got in this movie.
Overall, it’s such a leap forward when compared to the other prequels that honestly, it feels as if someone else entirely had directed it.
Interesting to note how cinematographer David Tattersall abandoned the washed-out and hazy visual atmosphere of the first two prequels in favor of a more robust and saturated color palette, which was carried over to the Abrams entries.
The opening shot is a major WOWSER and I loved the pumped-up score from John Williams.
Ewoks: Caravan of Courage
The first Ewok adventure, it’s so much fun, it’s got an interesting tone because it’s more about exploration than fighting hordes of bad-guys, and again, a total childhood staple that put a big, consistent smile on Owen’s face.
Solo
Underrated overall – it’s a lot of fun if thoroughly unnecessary – and it played much better on a second viewing. It’s also shot in a perversely dark manner by artiste DOP Bradford Young, who seemed to be daring himself to use as little light as possible in nearly every sequence.
Visual effects are just amazing all throughout, and considering the behind the scenes carnage, Ron Howard did a very smooth job in making something watchable.
The Force Awakens
Competently done in all respects, but containing zero surprises, and really serving as a soft-remake of A New Hope with some new features. Dan Mindel’s cinematography is phenomenal.
The Rise of SkyWalker
Sloppy on a narrative level with character motivation that makes zero sense in multiple spots. A rushed yet entertaining highlight reel where Abrams knew his time was up so he even included a shot of two Ewoks at the end because what the hell, why not.
The Phantom Menace
Easily one of the biggest theatrical disappointments I’ve ever encountered, and it’s still not very good. The CGI has aged horribly, and the acting is super-stiff from nearly everyone.
I still maintain that the best part of being duped into seeing this on the big screen on opening night was seeing the 60-second teaser for Fight Club.
Attack of the Clones
A total piece of hollowed-out, wooden crap with a couple of cool action-oriented moments. Hayden Christensen is astonishingly bad. The tone-deaf direction is alarming, and the infamous romantic interludes still blow chunks in ways that make you question if ANYONE was watching the dailies.
Get the popcorn ready and have a Star Wars marathon of your own! May the force be with you.
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