May The 4th Be With You - Stars Wars Review - All Movies

 

For May 4th, 2026 I decided to do something a little different. My opinion on all Star Wars movies in release order. 

*There may be spoilers if you haven't seen them all*

Star Wars: A New Hope (1977)   Score :  8 out of 10. 

- Sets up and explains the world perfectly and even though the story details different aspects it wraps it up nicely with a bow. If no other movies were made this would have been a great stand alone. 

The Empire Strikes Back (1980)  Score: 7 out of 10. 

- Introduction of AT-AT walkers and accounts for the real life injury of Mark Hamill. Yoda introduction. Could not be stand alone as it leave it on a cliff hanger with no idea what happened to Han. Weakest of the original 3 in my opinion but still had great moments. 

Return of the Jedi (1983)  Score: 9 out of 10. 

- For me this movie was and still is epic. It included all the characters we loved in the others, as well as some incredible action sequences now that Luke is a full Jedi Master. And of course, Ewoks. Keep in mind I was very young when this came out so the walking talking bears were just peak for me. The finale still makes me tear up. 

The Phantom Menace (1999) Score: 8 out of 10. 

- I may be in the minority on this but I still love this one. The introduction of new characters, as well as younger versions of some we know. The pod racing and Darth Maul was just amazing. Great storytelling and beautiful to watch. 

Attack of the Clones (2002) Score: 7 out of 10. 

- Interesting seeing the love story between Aniken and Padme and the battles are pretty epic. Everything else just felt lacking and the clone army, at this point of the story did not add up so it left kind of a what was the point of that type feeling. Its clear who the bad guy is now. 

Revenge of the Sith (2005) Score: 9 out of 10. 

- Now the clone army makes sense. Order 66 is brutal and it leads to the moment we were all waiting for. I know some were disppointed but I think Hayden crushed this epic moment and truly became the Darth Vader from the original movies. Breathtakingly epic. 

The Force Awakens (2015) Score: 8 out of 10. 

- Great introduction back into the world we know and love. Amazing returing and new characters and a storyline very similar to new hope but it works. Kylo is a wanna be Darth Vader and Rey is the lost child just trying to survive. Somehow it works. Though I hate they got rid of one of the best characters in the entire franchise. 

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) Score: 6 out of 10. 

- This one was a little confusing for me. The timing of the release did not make sense since everyone wanted to know about what happened to the characters from the last movie. And up until the end it was a little confusing as to when in the timeline it even took place. It was nice to see young Leia though. 

The Last Jedi (2017) - 7 out of 10. 

- Not the strongest in the most recent movies. Lukes character was much changed in a negative way, but after Ben Solo it is a little understandable. I just felt this movie did not really do anything to move the story along or improve the characters. It just fell flat for me. 

Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) Score: 7 out of 10. 

- This was another one that seemed to come out of nowhere. The idea behind this one was somewhat understandable getting the backstory of loved characters but again it just felt like it came out flat. Building an entire movie on two characters is usually something that I would congratulate, but this one did not deserve applause. 

The Rise of Skywalker (2019) Score: 7.5 out of 10. 

- This one had both great parts and what is going on parts. Epic battles, character evolution and some brillant storytelling. I do not agree at all with the 'bad guy' choice and I'll just ask it, as I know most people did, where did that kiss come from? Major twist that felt like it came out of nowhere. 

Final Thoughts

Overall I am a huge stars wars fan but with a universe that big and a million stories that could be told, it is hard, I would imagine, as a hollywood writer to determine where to draw the line. For me, the original trilogy is still unbeatable. Nothing had been done like them before and though some of the newer ones have come close they just can't reach the same greatness. 

Though I will say with modern effects the fight sequences and sky battles are bigger than ever in the newer movies, which you have to give them credit for. 

May The Force Be With You, Always!

Always Keep Fighting. 

You Are Enough. 

 

A R Pliley

 

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