A long time ago in a galaxy not far, far away from us, we felt the force! It's 45 years later and we still do. Created by George Lucas in 1977, Star Wars became an instant blockbuster from its release. A New Hope, the first of its trilogy, swept kids (including the adults) off their feet and soon became a cult favourite. The film won six Academy Awards the following year which quickly turned into a dedicated fandom giving rise to a punny Star Wars Day on May 4 or May the 4th be with you!
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What makes the Star Wars franchise so special?
Well, during the 1970s, when sci-fi was a mere subject of mockery, Lucasfilm Ltd. made history by creating a space opera studded with special effects (that George Lucas literally created from nothing), space battles, advanced robots, slick weaponry, and most importantly; a heart-warming storyline. For a film that literally changed the face of science fiction.
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The first Star Wars Trilogy (1977 to 1983) although followed legendary films like Planet of the Apes (1968) and 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), still had a huge impact on how we see science fiction today. A refreshing plot, space politics, adorable droids, John Williams' glorious background score, and an outstanding star cast. And the trend became a legend we follow to this day.
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Knowing the life this film lived, it's time to watch (or rewatch) the Star Wars film trilogy from the beginning. Here's everything you'd need to know.
Star Wars: A New Hope (1977)
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Star Wars: Return Of The Jedi (1983)
Star Wars: The Phantom Menace (1999)
Star Wars: Attack Of The Clones (2002)
Star Wars: Revenge Of The Sith (2005)
Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)
Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017)
Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker (2019)
The Original Trilogy (1977 to 1983)
Disclaimer: Since these movies are 45 years old, the graphics and the special effects might seem outdated, but the storyline and characters make up for it.
Star Wars: A New Hope (1977)
A young lad, Luke Skywalker (played by Mark Hamill), is led on a journey he knew his whole. by a Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi (played by Alec Guinness), a preacher of the force just to save a Princess Leia (played by Late. Carrie Fisher) from a vicious anti of Jedi's, Darth Vader. Making acquaintances with a smuggler and an amazing pilot Han Solo (played by Harrison Ford) along the way, Luke gets on to a battle against the mass weapon or Death Star made by the Republic.
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Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Regarded as one of the best sequels of all time, the story falls on the shoulders of our lead characters Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia and Han Solo. This is the first time you meet Master Yoda on the screen who teaches Skywalker the ways of the force. The movie makes its way through an action-packed showdown between Darth Vader and Skywalker and ends in a major plot-twist.
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Star Wars: Return Of The Jedi (1983)
Having learnt a truth that changed Luke Skywalker's course of life he redeems his teachings and knowledge trying to defeat Darth Vader and the Emperor. Meanwhile Han Solo and Princess Leia struggle to demolish the nearly completed second weapon with the help of teddy-bear like species and their stone-age weapons living in the forest moon of Endor. Spoiler's alert; this part is my favourite because the balance between the force is established and it is one of the storybooks with a happy ending.
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The Prequal Trilogy (1999 to 2005)
This was the time when George Lucas came back from his 20-year long retirement to create history again. The 2nd trilogy is basically the back story of the making of Darth Vader as the dark lord.
Although; I'll try to summarize this one without giving the entire story away.
Star Wars: The Phantom Menace (1999)
Now the film follows Obi-Wan Kenobi, only younger (played by Ewan McGregor) and his master Qui-Gon Jinn (played by Liam Neeson) as they undertake the mission to protect the Queen of Naboo, Padme Amidala (played by Natalie Portman) from The Trade Federation. Along their journey, they meet a young slave boy, Anakin Skywalker a local from the planet Tatooine with the force. As prophecized by Qui-Gon, he is the chosen one to bring balance to the force. Other than much better graphics and killer Lightsaber dual the movie is quite flat but it does contain clues for the second prequel.
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Star Wars: Attack Of The Clones (2002)
Anakin Skywalker (played by Hayden Christensen) is all grown up still practising the ways of the Jedi under the apprenticeship of Obi-Wan Kenobi. While Anakin is out in Naboo protecting Padme from yet another life-threat and confessing his love for her, Obi-Wan is just learning about a clone army being prepared in the distant planet. How the protagonist ends up in an unfortunate situation is something you need to watch yourself.
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Star Wars: Revenge Of The Sith (2005)
The final film of the trilogy is all about Anakin Skywalker's unfortunate turn towards the dark side of the force under a Sith Lord. The Republic is gone, the senate is gone and the hope is dead. One of the bleakest end of Lucasfilm Ltd. productions for sure.
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The Following Sequal Of The Original Trilogy (2015-2019)
After selling Lucasfilm Ltd. to Walt Disney Company for $ 4 billion, they took upon them to continue the legacy created by George Lucas.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)
Set 30 years after The Last Jedi, Leia alone is leading a budding Republic against The First Order, which basically emerged from the ashes of the destroyed Republic in Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Entangled in the action is a girl named Rey (played by Daisy Ridley) who strangely seems strong with the force.
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Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017)
A destiny that only the force and its ways understand awaits Rey in yet another adventure. The purpose is to defeat yet another dark lord Kylo Ren (played by Adam Driver) and save the new Republic from The First Order. But only a Jedi would know, how. Keep some tissues at bay because this one is definitely an emotional turmoil.
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Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker (2019)
The latest movie of the franchise is the return of an unexpected villain from the past. But there's more... Rey discovers her legacy of the force while Kylo Ren struggles through a strange connection he has with Rey. Also the last of Skywalker saga, this is the final confrontation of the New Republic and The First Order.
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Star Wars brought Hope into people's lives and cinema, 40 years later, it is continuing to bring the light in our bleak times.
Liked what you saw? Well, the Star Wars Saga is far from the end. It's time to watch the spin-offs and TV series that came during.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
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Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)
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Star Wars: The Mandalorian (2019)
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