There is a great deal of drama in all of the movies and I love them all, even The Phantom Menace. Look at how each of the movies fits into place with the whole picture.

Episode 1: The Phantom Menace: This movies introduces Anakin Skywalker to the Jedi order and sets the stage for the rise of the Galactic Empire

Episode 2: The Attack of the Clones: This movie brings the romance between Anakin and Padme into the forefront while launching the Old Republic into the heart of the Clone Wars. This movie has one of the best large scale Jedi battles ever seen on the big screen.

Episode 3: The Revenge of the Sith: The final turning of Anakin to the Dark Side with the end of the Clone Wars and the beginning of the Empire. The movie is incredibly sad with the destruction of the Jedi order. In one swift move, the Jedi are slaughtered by the clones with a dose of hope at the end with the birth of Luke and Leia.

Episode 4: A New Hope: The first actual movie in the Star Wars saga and considered by many to be the best. The movie sets the stage for the rise of the Rebel Alliance against Galactic Empire. The movie closes with the destruction of the Death Star and the hope of a restoration of the Jedi order.

Episode 5: The Empire Strikes Back: After the victory at Yavin 4, the Rebels are dealt a serious blow at Hoth. This sets in motion the Jedi training of Luke Skywalker and the pursuit of Han Solo across the galaxy.

The best movie would have to be the one that brings the series full circle: The Return of the Jedi. As I look at the series, I think that many people get the focus of the movies wrong. In essence, the whole series centers on the life of one major character: Anakin Skywalker. Think about that for a moment. From the beginning with Episode 1 through the Return of the Jedi, the story is focused on Anakin Skywalker or Darth Vader.

The story of Anakin moves through all of the movies like a central thread and if it is removed, the whole story falls apart. The Return of the Jedi shows us a different side to Darth Vader than we have previously seen. There is almost a sad quality to what he has become. Even when Luke tries to convince him to turn from the Dark Side of the Force, there was almost a hopeless quality in Vader. It seems that he feels that there could be no redemption for him.

Vader knows that he is responsible for the destruction of the Old Republic. He personally helped to hunt down and slaughter the Jedi. Vader was evil to the core or so it seemed. Luke tries to turn him back from the Dark Side but seems to fail until the end.

The Return of the Jedi marks the end of the Galactic Empire and the beginning of the New Republic. The second Death Star is destroyed, the Emperor is killed, and the Imperial fleet is defeated. The victory is total for the Rebellion. It marks the end of what was begun in Episode 1 where Palpatine starts to seize control. We see the beginning of the Empire on the streets of Naboo. Palpatine's comment about watching Anakin's career with interest sets the stage for the betrayal surrounding Darth Vader.

The Return of the Jedi is not just about the Jedi coming back into existence but also that Vader returns the Jedi order. The Jedi that returns is Anakin Skywalker and this best evidenced in the final scene where Luke sees the images of Obi Wan, Yoda and then his father joins them.

Learn more about this author, David Dewitt.
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