STAR WARS EPISODE I: THE PHANTOM MENACE (1999)

Although initially resisted by long-time "Star Wars" fans, this film is exceptionally unique in the series. Viewers see several things that they will never see again anywhere in the films, television specials, or books...
First, we are treated to a galaxy that has never experienced Galactic War. The Republic is not anti-alien and several races serve their planets on the Senate. We see the Jedi, though they already seem to be nearing the end of their glory period. Most astonishingly, we are treated to a vulnerable Anakin Skywalker. In the next films he will either be an over confident Jedi apprentice or an in control Dark Lord, but for now he is simply a small child who finds himself among the stars of a big galaxy.

We are also treated to the beautiful Queen who, like Esther, wants to save her people without surrendering her ideals.

STAR WARS EPISODE II: ATTACK OF THE CLONES (2002)

The most disappointing of the six motion pictures. We are treated to an asteroid scene that was done to a better effect in 1980. We meet the boy Boba Fett and while this storyline is the most compelling of anything in the film it completely destroys the mystery of the future bounty hunter. Most of all, we are bombarded with terrible writing in love scenes between Anakin and Padme where Anakin makes Greg Brady look like a man of the world.

Oh, yeah, and the "Clone Wars" begin.

The best part of this movie is seeing Yoda in action.

STAR WARS EPISODE III: REVENGE OF THE SITH (2005)

Despite the silly title this is one of the best installments in the series (sorry, but when I hear the word "Revenge" in a title I think "Revenge of the Nerds", or "Revenge of the Pink Panther").

In this chapter we see the best film adaptation of Satan the world has ever known in the form of Palpatine. He bends the truth to manipulate, he outright lies, he wears black and red. He craves only power. Like the Sam Phillips song ("Fighting with Fire") goes "money is the only thing he has."

It's a sad film, Charlie Brown, but a strong warning for those who would seek good but be pursued by evil along the way (which, in the end, is quite a lot of people).

"Episode II" could have been a help to this movie if Anakin had been played the same way he was in the first half of "Revenge of the Sith"--fighting alongside Obi-Wan, not against, having humility, not anger. I think we should have left the theaters in Episodes I & II wondering HOW IN THE WORLD Anakin could become Vader, instead of saying, "Yeah, I can see it coming." Still, somehow Lucas managed to recover and give us someone at the first half of this film that we care about, that seems like a confused young man struggling to do the right thing, but who gets swallowed by evil along the way.

STAR WARS EPISODE IV: A NEW HOPE (1977, 1997, 2004)

It is 20 years after "Episode III" and the offspring of Anakin and Padme Skywalker have grown into a young man (Luke Skywalker) and a young woman (Princess Leia). However, they do not know they are related and when Luke's adopted Uncle buys a droid with a distressed message for Obi-Wan Kenobi, Luke goes looking for a "crazy old man" he knows as "Old Ben".

Ben tells Luke about his father, that he was once a Jedi Knight, but was killed by Darth Vader (it's true, from a certain point of view). After some prodding, Luke agrees to take Kenobi to Mos Eisley, a spaceport filled with "strange, alien creatures" where they meet up with Han Solo and Chewbacca the Wookiee, who agree to take the pair and their droids to Alderaan, homeworld of Princess Leia.

However, the planet has been destroyed by the Empire--Palpatine's government that replaced the Old Republic--and Luke and the others soon realize they will need to rescue Princess Leia and escape from the Death Star--the Empire's superweapon.

This film has humor, fun, adventure, exciting, drama, and a little romance. It is by far the "Star Wars" film that has the most sheer fun. It's a blast to watch as a stand alone, or with the other five films.

That being said, it has one of the best "good guy" quotes:

Darth Vader: When I left you I was but a learner, now I am the master.

Ben Kenobi: Only a master of evil, Darth!

I love Ben's line because it's true, to master evil is basically to be selfish and think only of what you want, it's not difficult.

STAR WARS EPISODE V: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK (1980, 1997, 2004)

Have a bad day? Bad week? Put in the VHS or DVD of "The Empire Strikes Back" for a lesson that even heroes have them.

As far as I am concerned "The Empire Strikes Back" is Hell and "Return of the Jedi" (towards the end) is Heaven. "Empire" is all the bad, evil, sad, terrible things that we must exprience prior to passing through Heaven's gate.

Han Solo is betrayed by a friend. Luke Skywalker faces an intimate enemy. Princess Leia nearly loses both the men in her life. See Threepio is blown into pieces. It gets pretty bad, here, people!

In STAR WARS: THE MAGIC OF MYTH it is explained that being eaten is symbolic of Hell. Artoo-Detoo is nearly eaten, and so is Luke. Han, Leia, Chewbacca, and Threepio are swallowed, but fly to safety and you might say that Han is eaten by the carbonite freezing chamber.

STAR WARS EPISODE VI: RETURN OF THE JEDI (1983, 1997, 2004)

In "Return of the Jedi" everything that was done in Episodes III and V are undone: Han is rescued from the carbonite and Jabba the Hutt, Anakin Skywalker is regenerated, Luke and Leia known the truth of who they are and their origins, the Empire is defeated and the Republic is restored. The Emperor's destruction is motivative not by greed or anger, but love to save a son (i.e., Luke Skywalker).

Which ending is best? I still say 1983, I like the happy Ewok song, and it makes sense to me that Anakin would appear aged, but healthy. Nevertheless, the 1997/2004 ending seems to have a "sigh of relief" feel to it. Although not as energetic as the original version, we see celebration throughout the galaxy that the Empire is dead for good and all, and that freedom, love, and peace have been restored to the galaxy.