Star Wars fans online seem to think the series is either perfection or hot garbage, with little in-between. I watched the OT dozens of times as a child. My THX remastered edition VHS box set was nearly worn out by the time the films reached DVD in the mid-2000s.
Despite being a formative part of my film watching childhood, I rarely re-watch the OT. The prequel trilogy is best enjoyed through fan-edits that excise 1/3 of the material. I’ve seen the new trilogy in theatres, but waited for Rogue One and Solo to come to Netflix. Star Wars is now something I like, not something I love.
I see the films as okay, flawed but fun adventure movies. At their best they’re good, at their worst they’re an entertaining distraction. In anticipation of Rise of Skywalker, I watched the Force Awakens and Last Jedi for the first time since their theatrical release.
Rather than hold them films up as perfection or hot garbage, I’m going to skip reviewing them and instead talk about the 10 scenes I enjoyed the most. These are not ranked in any preferential order. Instead they’re chronological, as best I can remember from my notes.
Please enjoy this look at my favorite moments from Star Wars episodes VII to IX.
*SPOILERS AHEAD*
Kylo Force freezes a Blaster Bolt
Darth Vader blocks Han’s blaster shot in Empire Strikes Back, but Kylo Renn isn’t quite that strong. Using the force he stops a blaster bolt and Poe in place. There’s a strange dilation of the air around the bolt as it crackles with energy, acting almost as a highlight for the bright blue streak of light. It’s a wonderful image.
There’s more to the scene than just the visual of the frozen blaster bolt. Oscar Issac’s Poe is beaten and dragged to Kylo Renn by storm troopers. While passing the force captured bolt, Poe’s stunned reaction to the display of power perfectly establishes the danger of his situation. Kylo Renn killed somebody moments before, but his use of the Force makes him terrifying.
The scene ends with Poe imprisoned, and Kylo ordering the death of the townsfolk. The massacre carried out, Kylo Renn returns to his ship and releases the bolt. Its explosive end startles Finn, who watched the whole scene in horror.
This single moment made me excited to be watching The Force Awakens in the theatre. Visually it’s brilliant. The acting is strong from Adam Driver and Oscar Isaac. We get to see something new, but supported by the previous film’s lore. A fantastic scene to begin this list.
Poe and Finn escape the First Order
Poe and Finn shippers called them to hook up for years following TFA’s release, and it’s easy to see why. They display the most chemistry between characters in the entire Disney trilogy. Rey and Kylo have perhaps the best relationship arc in the series, but Poe and Finn have the best relationship period in the Force Awakens.
“Why are you helping me?” – Poe
“Because it’s the right thing to do” – Finn
“You need a pilot” – Poe
“I need a pilot” – Finn
The dialogue balances well between serious and playful, while also balancing those emotional positions between the two men. Neither is the comedic relief or straight man, they both occupy each role at times. That balance is maintained throughout the film, but I wanted to call out this first scene because it sets up their relationship perfectly.
Millennium Falcon escapes Jakku
Rey, Finn and BB-8 stumble upon an abandoned Millennium Falcon while desperately trying to escape the First Order. The ship being left on Jakku in ready to fly condition is extremely coincidental. From a storytelling perspective, it’s a stretch, but the escape itself is thrilling enough to overcome that irk.
The camera spins around the Falcon as Rey sends it careening over the desert and through a crashed Star Destroyer. The visuals are incredible. I especially love as the camera rolls so the ground is above us while we track with the Falcon’s flight path. A spaceship doesn’t care about up and down, and it makes for a killer moment.
Pacing is spot on during this sequence. Two Tie Fighters make for a clear threat, but one that never feels overblown. It’s not a dozen ships that should easily over power them. There’s enough close calls to make it feel like Rey gets them out of the jam by the skin of her teeth. Start to finish, this chase scene is wonderful.
Hux’s speech on StarKiller
JJ Abrams slaps you across the face with this Nazi references scene. The entire Star Wars saga has drawn visual inspiration for their villains from World War 2, but this one scene pushes it beyond any other in the series. The framing is Leni Riefenstahl’s Triumph of the Will remade, but despite the obviousness of the setup it works.
Why does the scene work? Not because of the visuals, but because of Domhnall Gleeson. His speech bristles with fanatic energy. He’s channeling every over the top Nazi performance from film in the last 60 years, and pouring it into a 30 second speech.
Tarkin was cold and menacing in A New Hope. Most of the Empire’s generals fit that mold. Evil was shown and cold and disciplined. Hux flips this and presents as an emotionally invested fanatic. He whole heartedly believes in the righteousness of his cause. While his character was mostly wasted in the series, this one scene will forever be a stand out.
Rey and Kylo vs Praetorian Guard
Snoke dies by Kylo Renn’s hand, and what follows is a beautifully shot battle with Snoke’s Praetorian Guard. Red is the dominant color. A visual theme we’ll see again during the battle on Crait. Kylo’s black suit, brilliant yellow flames, and Rey’s blue lightsaber all pop against the deep reds. I absolutely love the color palette.
The fight choreography is solid, but what helps the actual movement on screen, is the intensity of Daisy Ridley and Adam Driver’s performance. Rey throws herself into battle, screaming as she struggles with the Red guards, juxtaposed with the quiet determination of Kylo Renn’s onslaught.
A great mix of stunning visuals and strong acting easily secured the Throne Room battle a stop in my top 10 memorable scenes.
The Holdo maneuver
Resistance crew are evacuated in escape shuttles while only Admiral Holdo remains on a nearly powerless star cruiser. Turning the ship around, the First Order believe she’s trying to flee. First to understand what is happening, Hux is horrified.
At the same moment, Key and Kylo vie for a lightsaber in a Dragonball-esque force battle. Phasma prepares to execute Rose and Finn. John Williams’ score builds to a crescendo, then silence falls as the ship enters light speed. Silhouettes of First Order ships are sliced open by streaks of brilliant white light in an eerie silence, followed by a powerful shockwave.
The scene was breathtaking in the theatre, and remains a visual feast when viewed at home. The Rise of Skywalker called the Holdo Maneuver a one in a million shot, and damn was it ever. Space destruction has never looked so pretty.
Yoda smacking sense into Luke
Yoda’s a puppet again! The CGI used in the prequel trilogy is fine. It holds up well enough today, but it cannot compare to the practical effect Yoda used in the Last Jedi. This extends beyond Yoda’s appearance, and into his personality as well. PT Yoda was far too serious. TLJ returns his sense of humor.
Yoda’s giddy laughter after summoning lightening captures the strange little creature we met on Dagobah. He strikes Luke with his cane to drive home the point he’s making. Yoda’s wisdom is exactly what Luke needs to hear after decades of isolation and self-pity.
“The courageous teacher, failure is…Luke, we are what they grow beyond. That is the true burden of all masters.”
Having strong words delivered with humor and sincerity make them far more powerful than a somber speech from a dour Jedi Master.
Luke vs Kylo on Crait
Jedi Master Luke Skywalker strides across a red stained ground, defiant as Kylo Renn orders “every gun we have to fire on that man.” As the smoke clears, Luke dusts off his shoulder and waits for Kylo to arrive. When the fight begins, Luke dodges each attack with inhuman flexibility and response, exactly as a Jedi should.
“Strike me down in anger and I’ll always be with you” – Luke Skywalker
Kylo Renn rushes at Luke, who stands perfectly still, no lightsaber ready to defend himself. Kylo’s red blade of death slashes through Luke’s mid-section, but he stands unharmed. Kylo calmly stabs his lightsaber into Luke, realizing the Jedi isn’t there. It’s a force projection of Luke. An illusion used to distract Kylo Renn.
I love this non-violent solution to the conflict. Long ago Luke trusted in his father and threw his lightsaber aside during their battle on the Death Star. He choose the non-violent path to victory, and he does it again here. Luke Skywalker’s final act of heroism shows exactly why he is hero to millions.
Rey vs Kylo’s water battle
Waves crash around Rey and Kylo in the best fight scene of Rise of Skywalker. From the moment the trailers teased the scene it was expected to impress, and it absolutely does. Each strike of the lightsabers is intense, with the chaotic environment reflecting the combatants heightened emotions.
The staging and themes of the scene merge perfectly. Rey’s focused on her enemy, filled with doubt and anger, while the sea rages around them. Finn tries to reach her, but she force pushes him away. Rey isolates herself, one of the better character moments she has during her arc in the film.
Then we get an almost anime inspired moment. A giant wave rises to engulf the platform Rey and Kylo are fighting on. She force jumps out of the way, with Kylo close behind. The camera cuts to Finn’s point of view, as we watch Kyo vanish behind the massive wall of water.
The scene culminates with General Leia reaching out to Kylo through the force, a last effort to stop her estranged son’s violent path and it works. It stops a killing blow from landing on Rey, who promptly kills him with his own lightsaber. Then for a moment we get the conflict Rey feels over what she’s done.
Chewie’s Grief is Overwhelming
The final scene on my list is also the briefest. Only on screen for a new seconds, it still manages to linger in the mind. I wish JJ Abrams had stayed on this moment longer. Let the audience feel what Chewbacca felt for more than a second. It needed to settle in with the audience, but still it deserves to be here.
Han Solo, Chewie’s best friend, died violently in the Force Awakens, Luke joins the force in TLJ, and finally Leia passes away in the Rise of Skywalker. Over this new trilogy Chewie losses the family he gathered during the OT. Grief overwhelms him. The often calm giant collapsing to the ground, crying out in pain and loss. A genuine moment of emotion based on strong character work.