Star Wars, The Complete Work (Went over the spelling twice, but it messed up on me... so sorry for all the mistakes I no doubt missed.)
In this critique I will be judging the movies on a scale of 1-10. A 1, in my mind is pretty much hardly worth watching. 10 is a movie I will watch repeatedly, over and over and over and over... etc.... I'll try to cover most of the main points that brought me to my ultimate conclusion, but feel free to make new points of your own!
Episode 1:
Although many dislike episode one for several reasons. (JarJar Binks...) I, myself, appreciated it as a whole. JarJar was overdone at times, admittedly. Nonetheless, Episode one explains Vader and is necessary for the over all story. It adds depth to the story.
Negatives of Episode 1:
--JarJar is, admittedly over done at times. Many people did not appreciate the attempt at humor. I myself didn't dislike it, but it didn't strike me as a major success.
-- The mystery of the Sith. Mace windu mentions this mystery and that Darth Maul might be the answer to unraveling it. In the end, however, this "Mystery" seems too disappear and is never elaborated on. What exactly WAS the mystery of the Sith? We see later on in the clone wars that the Jedi are well aware of where the sith came from and how they got started. We also see in other expanded universe subjects (KOTOR games and TOR Online) that the origins of the Jedi and Sith are historically preserved. Even though this is a little bit of a loose end, it's not a major thing for me, as an avid star wars fan. I was just supper excited for another star wars saga.
Positives of Eppisode 1:
--Young Obi-Wan is one addition that I greatly enjoyed. I always liked Obi-Wan in the original trilogy and to see his story through the second trilogy was an exciting thing for me as a young child. I always enjoyed his character.
-- Qui-Gon Jinn was also a welcomed addition to me. He has been one of my favorite Jedi ever since the first time I saw episode 1.
--Darth Vader's backstory. It really helped me to understand Vader's character more to get the back story. This is a thread that will remain through 2 and 3 as well, but seeing him as a young child I think was essential to explain why he was the way he was.
Conclusion: All these considered, I would give a controversial rating of 7 out of 10 to episode one. I enjoyed the movie and the addition to the original saga.
Episode 2:
Episode two, though essential to the story, had a few more issues than the first in the prequel trilogy. All the same, it remains on my shelf and is watched from time to time. Anakin is a brat, yes... but he is supposed to be. It explains WHY he became Vader and WHY he was so easily manipulated. Further more, the clones are awesome, so that makes up for a bit. Obi-Wan was a pretty iconic character here as well, I think.
Negatives about Episode 2:
--Anakin's whiny brat attitude gets old fast. I can excuse it simply because I recognize it as essential to the plot, but it's a cring worthy addition.
--The romance between Anakin and Padme. I don't mind romance, but I didn't think this particular romance story was well played out. The movie was too short to add a reasonable progression. It felt rushed and almost like a childish or immature relationship. (Anakin's fault I think)
--The EASY death of all the Jedi on Geinosis. This really took me off guard the first time I watched the movie. Jedi were always made out to be supper warriors... so I thought. The relatively easy death of many of them was really a downer to me.
--The Foolishness of Obi-Wan and the council in letting Anakin protect Padme alone and assuming he is ready to fulfill the prophecy etc... This just struck me as a little off. They should have seen more of his faults than they did and taken precautions.
Positives about Episode 2:
--Obi-Wan is my first big positive. Even though he showed a little less caution with Anakin than I would have liked to see, he )in my mind) Made the movie work.
--The clone wars were cool. The clones were cool... Or maybe I just enjoy war and action?
--I loved getting to see a bunch of Jedi and getting to see them in action. (Aside from the easy deaths mentioned above)
Conclusion:
All in all I enjoyed the movie, but less than the first. If the negatives were taken out I think the positives would have made episode 2 a better movie than episode 1. It had more potential... but that seemed to fall flat in too many areas. Because of this I give episode 2 a 6 out of 10.
The Clone Wars Animated Series:
The clone wars was a big expansion between episode two and three and went a long ways to making Anakin a likable character. It, in essence salvaged his character for episode 3. (Who was not very enjoyable the first time through episode 3) It also adds a lot more to the clones, which I loved. As well as getting to meet new Jedi, getting to know them, and see them in action. All this makes the Clone wars animated series a must for me.
Negatives of the Clone wars
--They. Killed. Fives! -_-
--I felt like the nightsisters and mother Talsin were slightly overdone. I mean... really... can't she just die?
--The mediclorians were a little... unexpected? *shrugs*
Positives about The Clone Wars:
--They expanded on... everything. Loved it!
--Getting to know the Jedi better.
--Getting to know the cloens better. Some really cool clone characters!
--It also adds more depth to episode 3 and as mentioned salvages Anakin's character for the movie.
--Two words... Asoka Tanno. Nuf said...
--Deathwatch was a cool addition.
--I never expected to see Qui-Gon! Cool cool.
--Seeing Assaj Ventres progress as a character was pretty cool.
--Seeing Barriss Offee's transformation was a neat twist as well.
--I love seeing so many species and planets. The bennafits of having an expansive series instead of a limited movie.
--I could go on, but I'll end there.
--It was really neat to see Darth Maul's story continue
Conclusion:
All in all The Clone Wars was a wonderful addition to the story, Lore, and character development. I give it a 9 out of 10 ONLY because of the weirdness of the medicloriens and the annoying-ness of mother Talsin. (They KILLED Fives! -_- ) <--- And that... that wasn't cool.
Episode 3:
I bought episode 3 as soon as it came out on DVD and watched it that very day in the back seat of my mom's car as she drove around doing shopping. ( I wasn't aloud to watch it in theaters at the time so this was my first time watching it) I was supper excited to see lots of Jedi yet again, and I thought the clone wars were pretty cool. All in all, I even thought Anakin's turn to the darkside was mostly realistic. He felt like it was his only way to save Padme.... I could buy that... for a nickle.
Then... came the major let down. Just as my complaint with episode two... why the HECK were the Jedi so easy to kill?!?!
Negatives about episode 3:
--They KILLED fives! .... Oh wait... that was the clone wars, but episode 3 would have been WAY cooler if they had NEVER killed Fives!
--Anakin's turn to the darkside, though realistic to a degree, still seemed a little less epic than I hopped.
--The Jedi died WAY to easily. This was a major let down for me.
--Padme's death made absolutely NO sense. Why exactly did she die? She was depressed, sad, heartbroken... I get all that... but really? She just... dies? Knowing that she just had TWO children to care for and she just gives up? :/
--I didn't really care for the new A.I in the droids. How they seemed to be almost intelligent and have a sense of humor. Some people loved it, but I didn't really think it fit.
--Obi-Wan, Though I hate to say it.... First, he should have done better against General Grevious, he should have made SURE anakin was dead on mustifar... and.... O_o What the heck was up with that hair cut??
Positives of Episode 3:
--Obi-Wan. (I'm a fan if you can't tell) In spite of the negatives mentioned above, I still loved seeing him in it and getting the complete "Obi-Wan" story.
--We get to see how Anakin becomes darth Vader. Not just his turn but the suit. That was cool.
--Two words... Zet Zukassa! Nuf said. (I totally think Zet and Asoka should have been together!)
--Count Duku Finally dies.
Conclusion:
All in all I liked the move, but because of all the depressing content and negatives upon negatives I only give this one a 5 out of 10
Star Wars Rebels:
Star Wars Rebels was a fun show, though it lacked the original star wars feel in some areas. (Disney *cough*) Either way it was fun to follow a new story and I love having the mandalorian presence in the show. (Mandalorians are amazing) Granted there is at least one season yet to come, but I will assume it will fall in with all the others in quality.
Negatives about Rebels:
-- Ezera. I know he is the "main character" but I never really liked his attitude. :/
--The lack of legitimate Star wars feel. This was probably my biggest complaint.
Positives about Rebels
--Getting to see how the Rebel emblem started with Sebine
--Sebine Wren. (Clan vizsla has always been my favorite)
--They bring Asoka back!!
--And.... they bring Darth Maul back!! O_O Loved it!
Conclusion:
All in all, though it had a very different feel to me, I still enjoyed it. It is always neat to get more of a gap filled in between the movies etc.. So I give Rebels a 6 out of 10
Rogue One:
What can I say... it was executed to near perfection. Not my favorite line up of actors and actresses, but that's a minor thing when the movie actually FIT into the star wars universe.
Negatives about Rogue One:
--Casian Anders actorlse, and didn't like their choice... but after I watched the movie I had to take my hat off to her. She played the part to perfection. So this is a negative/posit
--Jyn Erso's actress was ALMOST a negative. I probably still would have picked someone eive.
-- And, last but not least... well, yeah... that's about it really.
Positives about Rogue One:
--It fit PERFECTLY into the original triliogy.
--Seeing the beginnings of the Rebellion and how they got the plans to the death star the first time
--Seeing Vader
--Seeing Leia
--They got Bail Antilies in it!
-- They kept it mostly true to the star wars feel.
----Jyn Erso's actress was ALMOST a negative. I probably still would have picked someone else, and didn't like their choice... but after I watched the movie I had to take my hat off to her. She played the part to perfection. So this is a negative/positive.
--I LOVED the ending how it plays right into episode 4!
Conclusion:
All in all, my complaints were minor and I have to give rogue one a 9 out of 10
Episode 4:
What can be said? Maybe it's because episode 4 was my introduction to Star wars. Maybe it is because it is simply an epic introduction to an immense universe full of excitement, wonder, and adventure? Either way, it was a well done movie that had little to no flaws in my mind. It was on the cutting edge of the movie making technology for it's time, pushed that edge, and created new edges all at the same time. Luke is a little whiny in the beginning, (Kind of like Anakin) but in a subtle and VERY believable way. He acted like an actual 19 year old who was stuck on Tatooine and wanted to get away. So that is hard to add to the negative sections. All in all, it is a great movie.
Negatives about episode 4:
--The Lightsaber fight between Vader and Obi-Wan. This is not a huge negative for me, but I always thought it should have been a little more impressive of a fight. Secondly, I understand why Obi-Wan was ok with "Dying" but why didn't he stick around to train Luke? *shrugs* Minor things, though.
--Alderan being destroyed. It literally made me cringe. Not because it was a bad move plot wise, it was great plot wise... but one of the things that attracts me to star wars is the vastness of the universe. I literally felt my mental "Star Wars" box shrink when I had the thought, "Now no one will EVER get to see what Alderan is like again..." O_O
--Not even a real negative... just a thought that has NEVER left me alone since my first time watching this movie... What would it be like if Luke HAD gone with Han Solo after they received their reward for rescuing Leia?
Positives about Episode 4:
--Great epic move, solid story, well put together, etc... etc... etc...
--Obi-Wan was always a cool character to me.
--I loved seeing Luke's introduction to the force.
--Chewbaka!
Gotta love Wookies!
--The back and forth banter between Solo and others is always amusing.
--The biggest positive, other than the first one, is that there are so few negatives. Those that do exist are hardly worth the mention. That is HUGE!
Conclusion:
Simple nostalgia aside, I give episode 4 a 10 out of 10. It deserves it for opening the viewer to the wild and wide universe of Star Wars! The fact that there are virtually no negatives worth talking about is amazing.
Episode 5:
Episode 5 had a lot of anticipation hanging on it for me. To that end, I was hardly disappointing. There were a few moment I would have altered, had I been in charge, but that's almost always the case.
Negatives about eppisode 5:
--I wish I would have got to see more of Luke's training. I know, realistically it couldn't fit into the proper movie length, but I felt like it was just a bit too rushed for my liking.
--Lando Calrision. Never liked the guy. Even after he "Turned good."
--I always felt like Vader should have been able to find Luke after he dropped out the bottom of cloud city. If Leia could find him when Luke called to her, why couldn't Vader sense him?
Positives about Eppisode 5:
--Luke's training. Even though I would have liked to have seen more, it was neat to get to see him trained by Yoda.
--Luke makes a very reasonable progression. He is still a little cocky, hanging on to the "Child like" demeanor form episode 4, but clearly more mature and trained etc... It seemed a very realistic progression.
--Han Solo getting frozen in carbonite, though it was not part of the original script, I always felt like was a neat and unexpected twist.
--Continuing from episode 4, it was a great all around movie with an epic story that left you waiting for the next one. (Fortunately my first viewing was after all three were out, so I got to skip the wait.
)
Conclusion:
Over all, hardly anything to complain about. I had a few minor alterations I would have made if I was in charge, but nothing that was cringe worthy. I give episode 5 a 9 out of 10 ONLY because Lando Calrision and cloud city. I also feel like it, being the middle movie, was simply left unfinished (Though intentionally) Where as 4 is the beginning and so builds anticipation, while 6 was the final show and drew it all to an end, 5 just floats in the middle as an epic string between the two that, admittedly, fits seamlessly and perfectly in.
Episode 6:
Episode six brought it all together. It was a great conclusion to an epic story that captured the minds of people across the world. (Or universe, in Star wars terms) It was great to see Luke as a Jedi Knight, and his display at Jabba's palace was impressive. Of course, his fight with Vader and the rest of the movie was too. There is really hardly anything to nit pick at here, in my opinion other than Luke's little temper tantrum on the deathstar about Vader talking about Leia.
Negatives about episode 6:
--Luke's temper tantrum on the death star was, to me, a little out of character from his "Matured" self. Perhaps a flashback to his childhood times? I don't know, but I felt it could be better done.
-- And... yeah, that's pretty much it.
Positives about episode 6:
--Seeing Luke display his skills as a Jedi Knight. Always enjoyed the battle scenes and lightsaber duels.
--Seeing Luke as a more mature individual. Character progression is great. (Save his little lapse during his fight with Vader)
--Getting to re-visit Tatooine. I know it's supposed to be a "Nowhere" Planet, but I always loved the place.
--Ewoks! Nuf said.
--The moon of Endor was an awesome planet. It makes me want to go exploring. (Which I have got to do thanks to certain Star Wars games and it was AMAZING> *nerd moment I guess* )
--Seeing Luke overcome his temptation to the dark side.
--When Vader turns.
--Weird as it seems, getting to see Vader's face without his mask. I always wondered (up to that point) What he looked like under the mask.
Conclusion:
A solid movie the whole way through. I give it a 10 out of 10! Hardly anything to complain about and it was an wonderful finish to an epic story!
Episode 7:
Episode seven was... well, where do I begin. Mostly , it was NOT what I was expecting... at all. Nonetheless, the third and fourth times through it, my brain came to terms with the "reality" of the situation. So I have reached a begrudged truce with the "New" star wars brand. I am, first and foremost, a star wars fan. I love to have seen the fandom expanded on, just would have done it different.
Negatives about episode 7:
--Kylo Ren takes off his mask. Really... you were way cooler looking with it on. Should have kept it that way.
--Rey has WAY to easy a time using "Learning" the force. I have forced my mind to explain this by saying she had some sort of training before she was dropped on Jaku... but who knows if that holds true.
--Fin and Poe.... -_- I don't know what to say about these two other than I simply wish they had either picked different actors or simply not been in the movie AT ALL.
--The space pirates that came after Han and Chewy were... WAY to Disney sci-fi ish... :/
--Of course you have all the changes from what once was established cannon as well... that kind of ticked me off.
--Luke was hardly in it!
--They couldn't come up with a better "Bad guy weapon"?" Really?? It's like they just coppied the death star, only bigger and better.
--To that end... there were some well done references to the originals... but many of them fell flat.
--There is more... but mostly minor nit picky things so I'll leave it at that
--I didn't really like how the Rebellion was right back where it started and seemed to have gained no ground since 4, 5, and 6... oops, I didn't end it there, but I will end it here.
Positives about Episode 7:
--Well, It was cool to see Lukes old lightsaber... O_o
--Ok... just kidding. There were a few more positives. I did like Maz Kinada and her establishment. It reminded me of a Massassi temple.
--I liked the idea of what Rey did to survive on Jakku. It seemed like a neat start for the story.
-- Han Solo
--Chewy
--Leia
--Rey. I actually really liked her character.
Conclusion:
All in all it was a great movie and I enjoyed the story... it just wasn't as much of a "Star Wars" movie as I was hoping. Couple that with the reckless abandon of established Lore and the poor choice in characters/casting for some of the "Main Heroes" It didn't really do it for me... I can only give it a 4 out of 10, sadly. I think I'll like it better as the years go by... but right now it's just not working for me.
Eppisode 8:
Episode 8 had many of the same issues as it's predecessor, but this time I came into the movie already having abandoned hope and expecting the worst. I guess in a way I was pleasantly surprised to see a movie that was at least slightly better than the one before, I thought.
Negatives about Episode 8:
--Fin and Poe... -_- There was literally NO point to ANYTHING they did!! O_O They accomplished nothing the entire movie. Why were they even there?
--Leia using the force to bring herself back from the spaceship bridge being blasted. I didn't mind that she used the force, just the way they did it seemed... lame.
--Vice Admiral Holdo could of at least done... something to reassure the crew... ?
--Fathiers... Cool critters but wish they would have chosen a different name. Really... I can't say it without thinking of "Fathers." Just weird...
--The way they make the force seem to come so, "easy."
--Snoke's identity crisis... or the lack thereof... however you want to see it.
--Rey's Parents (Though I don't believe it is true) being nobodies... that's just stupid... why would Kylo say "THAT" was why he KNEW she would stand with him... all because he saw that her parents were nobody??
--There are a few other things here and there, but I'll leave it alone for now.
--Ok... there is one more thing... Just kidding...
Positives about Episode 8:
-- I liked the progression in Rey's character.
--Getting to see more of Luke.
--Getting to see Luke's past and struggles etc...
--Chewy
--The salt planet was cool
--The critters on the salt planet and the Fathiers (inspite of the name) were really cool critters.
--The ancient tree with the Jedi text. I thought that was pretty cool. Besides... all Jedi having their begining in Ireland?? That's awesome!!
Jokes aside, I liked the tree and the books.
--The fact that Rey takes the books. I loved that move.
--Yoda. It was nice to see Yoda as a puppet and with Frank Ozz doing the voice.
--Luke deciding the help, making this eppic show, then turns out he wasn't even there the entire time.
--The red guards that Kylo and Rey fight. They were pretty dang cool.
--I even kind of like the little, I like you but you're on the opposite side, sort of vibe going between Rey and Kylo. Weird, but it could work.
--I was supper relieved at the fact that they did NOT have Rey and Fin end up liking each other.
--Vice Admiral Holdo's suicide, very epic and stunning visuals.
--There are a few other things, but this covers most of it.
Conclusion:
All in all I liked it better than episode 8, but it Poe and Fin had been gone I would have loved it! But... because they remain, I can only give episode 8 a 5 out of 10... sadly.
So there you have it. My star wars opinion in a nutshell. Yes... this IS the nutshell version. I tried to keep it very brief.