Well, forgive me if I'm the first person to stray from the norm here, but the difference in my list is ever so slight!
1) Star Wars (ANH) - As good as ESB is, this just has to go first for me, if for no other reason than pure nostalgia. It's the movie that started it all, and it will always hold a magical place in my heart due to the so many wonderful childhood memories I have of it. Just the funnest all around flick of the bunch too - pure popcorn!
2) Empire Strikes Back - This might actually be a
better movie than ANH, but it's the sequel, so it just can earn top billing from me on that small technicality - but very close! Great dark mood throughout and much deeper than any others. Can't beat the original Yoda!
3) Return of the Jedi - Yeah, the Ewoks really hurt it for me too, so did some of the childish humor. Aside from that, this was a great movie and a worthy conclusion to the Trilogy. That slave bikini wasn't too bad either...
4) Attack of the Clones - This is a
VERY distant fourth here. I'm one of the "not so lovin' the Prequels" guys. This had some fun action, and the pivotal dark moment when Anakin begins his turn to the Dark Side, but it just didn't do much for me other than just being a fun flick to watch. I also fealt like I was watching a cartoon much of the time. CG overload. Oh yeah, Padme was pretty scrumpious too!
5) Phantom Menace - Ugh. When I stepped out of the theater after seeing this on opening day, it was one of the most disappointing moments of my entire life. I despise Jar Jar, hated the childish antics everywhere, "Annie", "yippee", terrible dialogue, poor story, etc... The one redeeming part of the film was Darth Maul. His action figures may have been completely overdone, but his character on screen was just awesome (but underutilized), and the final 3-way lightsaber duel at the end was one of the best moments in the entire Saga. Just wish it didn't have to be spliced with the terrible space battle and ground battle scenes though...
I pray to God that George really surprises us and comes up with a great Episode 3 to conclude the Saga. But with how much stuff he has to pack in there, and his adamant refusal to go beyond 2 hours and 20 minutes in any of the movies, I fear that the final installment will feel rushed, and too many things will get skipped over...
Please feel free to prove me wrong though Mr. Lucas!
