As of April 1st, 2024, my kids had yet to watch any of the Star Wars films. Finally, the time came to rectify this gaping hole in their childhood experience. We spent a large portion of their two-week spring break watching all nine of the main films (aka the movies in the Skywalker Saga). A little over 21 hours later, there is balance again in the force.
Of course, the kids already knew much about Star Wars without watching the movies. We’ve read tons of Star Wars-related children’s books, played the Lego Star Wars Skywalker Saga game, and they’ve otherwise had a general outline of the major characters and what happens through TV and YouTube and other things, but they had yet to experience the REAL deal.
They’ve been begging to watch the movies for quite a while now and, since we weren’t going on holiday anywhere and the weather was terrible, it felt like a perfect treat.
To be honest, I wanted to watch them again to. It’s been years.
The kids wanted to start with the first episode (Phantom Menance) and go in sequence. When I explained that they were made in different years and that the first one ever released was episode IV, they were totally confused. So we just went through in sequence, but I realize that there are many other ways to traverse the films:
…many Star Wars fans would argue that [the first film that was released, Episode IV – A New Hope] is the best place to start watching all of the Star Wars movies and then finish watching them in release order, all the way to Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker.
Another option is called “The Machete Order.” In this order, you watch Episodes IV and V, complete with the shocking reveal at the end of The Empire Strikes Back that Darth Vader is Luke’s father before going back to watch Episodes II and III to get Darth Vader’s backstory followed by Return of the Jedi and the rest of the Skywalker Saga. The Machete Order eliminates Episode I: The Phantom Menace…
Started with Phantom Menace and it took us just over 21 hours to watch them all in sequence. Here are some brief notes from each:
Episode I – Phantom Menance
All the criticism is well deserved. However, the pod racing is still awesome, and Vivian enjoyed little Aniken’s performance (“He’s so cute!”). Not one of us could understand what Jar Jar was saying.
Episode II – Attack of the Clones
It was cool to see the clone factory and the origins of Bobba Fett in this one. Seeing all the Jedi in action was a potentially epic scene, but it feels so soft and squishy. The droids have no heft or ferocity to them. All those Jedi should be able to wipe them away with a flick of the wrist.
Episode III – Revenge of the Sith
Much better than the first three. Aniken’s transformation to the dark side was handled pretty well but I wished there was a better ending for Mace Windu. Also, Yoda “failing” to defeat the Emperor at the end felt like an additional insult to injury. At least there was very little to no Jar Jar!
Episode IV – A New Hope
Classic. The only complaint I have is the digital remake changes that were made and the little scenes that have been added, like Jabba on Tatooine talking to Han Solo before they leave with Obi-Wan and Luke. THAT NEVER HAPPENED!!
Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back
Double rainbow. The battle on the ice planet Hoth is one of cinema’s greatest moments. And, of course, “Luke, I am your father!” 🫨
Episode VI – Return of the Jedi
The GOAT. This is my favorite Star Wars film of all time, and the kids agreed. When Darth Vader throws the Emperor over the edge towards the end, Sam looked at me shocked and just said, well, that was easy! 🤣
Episode VII – The Force Awakens
A worthy reboot and thoroughly enjoyable. Nuff said.
Episode VIII – The Last Jedi
A mis-mash of too many (often great) ideas that don’t come together into a whole. I get that Luke was supposed to be disillusioned at the beginning, but did they have to make him so whiny and weird?! And Leia flying through space suddenly when she hadn’t yet shown any force powers!? Regardless, the cruiser cutting through the Star Destroyer at light speed is one of my favorite Star Wars moments of all time.
Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker
A rush to get things back on-track after the previous films craziness. Emperor Palpatine returns from seemingly nowhere? Still, I loved the end with Rey, Luke, and Leia.
Seeing the all the movies and catching the whole story in such a short amount of time was a real treat. The kids absolutely loved it (R2D2, C3PO, BB-8, Chewy, and the Ewoks were definitely faves). Kav and I loved it. It didn’t matter that many of the films have major flaws, there is something about Star Wars that is irresistible. You can’t help but be drawn in, almost like an invisible force…
Comments welcome!