Favorite PT movie

What's yours?

I've thought a lot about this, and I think I'm going to go with Phantom Menace. It's more of an easy going film that has more of an OT vibe. I enjoy the story a lot, and I think it sets up the path our heroes take brilliantly. Some people resent the child actors in the film, and that's too bad. They did a good job.... and yes, by nature, it's got some child-like qualities. But I see it as being "before the dark times". TPM shows the innocence of the Galaxy before evil took over.

I like the prequels, and it's really a toss-up with ROTS. Tough call.

 

I'm going for TROTS as well, 3 great lightsaber duels a fitting way to close the trilogy.

 

I said RotS as well. Mostly because it encapsulates the really good thing about the PT in that we already know how it has to end, so we really get the tragedy of things when RotS rolls around. It rides that "I hope it doesn't, but it has to" line really well.

 

I guess I'll be the contrarian and cast my ballot for AotC. I like this one because we get to see a (relatively) adult Anakin before he turns to the Dark Side. It's important to see that, for me to believe Luke later on when he insists Darth Vader still has good in him- certainly in the OT there's little reason for anyone to think that, and I always chalked it up to Luke being able to read his father better than we can as Luke has the Force.

Yet the seeds of his destruction are obviously already planted. Even when he's teasing Padme about being the all-powerful ruler, then says "no, just kidding"', I get the feeling he isn't. I also like their forbidden romance, let's face it, scifi isn't that great with this sort of thing but they actually did a pretty good job, considering. When they get married in the end, that shot of his mechanical hand with hers gives me the chills. Much badness is going to come of this.

Padme has a lot of action in this film, and I like that. So i guess i like this movie because it shows these two important characters, and what they were like before it all went to hell.

 

I would like to say ROTS... but despite its many powerful moments, it really spends far too much time 'doing the cleaning up'. It's like Lucas was trying to explain absolutely everything (e.g. having Anakin shut down the battle droids) that it was all a little distracting. There were so many ideas flying around, and the editing is so choppy... I love the film but it's also a bit of a mess. More time should have been spent explaining Anakin's turn, which I still think is clumsily handled.

I voted for AOTC. I know, blast romantic dialogue, but it really is the most fun to watch. There are so many callbacks to the OT (the Lars family, the Fetts), and so much new stuff to absorb (Kamino, clones, the Coruscant underworld), and the action sequences - asteroid chase, Coruscant chase, arena battle, main battle - are all exceptional. I don't know, it's the only prequel that tries to capture the sense of fun and adventure that the OT had. There were major issues - mostly centered around Anakin being unlikable - but it still works for me.

 

The C

Yes really excellent action scenes.
What also drew me in with the Coruscant scenes, and even the ones on Naboo was how beautiful, refined and wealthy these places seemed to be- something alluded to when older Obi-wan states that the light saber is a "more elegant weapon, for a more civilized age." It lends the series a real Fall-of-Rome feel, so when one arrives in the OT, there's a greater sense of loss, and Obi Wan seems a much more tragic figure. Vader, too.

 

I've never been a fan of Hayden Christensen in the sequels but his saber work is pretty awesome. McGregor saved Lucas' rep with his performance I think, if Disney don't push ahead with a Kenobi film with McGregor it will be a travesty.

 

Incredible that we had not a thread for this before. A simple question.

My favorite PT movie is TPM.

Despite of all failures and the things that bothers me, at least TPM it is a enjoyable movie.

TPM has better visual effects, best characters, and all the designs for droids, aliens, ships and worlds are much more interesting than AOTC and ROTS.

Ahhh, and the soundtrack its one of my favorites (same level than the OT music).

 

Revenge of the Sith! Along with Empire it's my favorite Star Wars movie.

 

Even though I am an OT'er at heart, ROTS is a GOOD, solid, movie. I love the Anakin/Obi-wan dynamic and there are some great scenes. I have to confess, I watched Phantom Menace recently (more to watch it as a joke, really) but I was pleasantly surprised watching it years later and I place it above AotC (which not bashing-but had sooo much CGI it was hard for me to focus and get immersed). I liked the old school feel of Phantom Menace and by Act 3, the character development, dialogue, pacing, and drama finally came together in a pretty good flick as ROTS.

 

I adore Padme's story arc in The Phantom Menace. She has purpose, she has a sense of duty, and she's not above throwing shade at other politicians ("My fate will be the same as our people.")

I'm also still impressed by the four-front battle sequence; the pacing keeps the momentum going, and if they could cut out Jar Jar's antics, it would be one of the best battle sequences in the series.

But I find the middle section on Tatooine a bit boring, and Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan are utter dullards throughout. The characters are just cardboard, and the little sparks that do appear - e.g. between Padme and Anakin - are wasted because they made Anakin so young, so there's only so far they can go with it. (And I don't mean romantically; she treats him like a little kid, which he is. Had he been her age, they'd be able to have proper conversations, verbally spar, and establish a consistent dynamic/rapport).

 

Honestly I have a soft spot for TPM. I was born in '94 so I wasn't set up for disappointment like many fans were. I had seen the originals beforehand and loved them but it all felt like Star Wars to me. That lasted until AOTC. I hated that movie with a burning passion ever since I saw it when I was 7. ROTS was a different story. Much better but it still felt off to me. I think that has to do with them shooting digital as opposed to film. TPM had the Star Wars feel. I didn't get that at all from Eps II and III. Also add Hayden Christensen's acting on top of that. Another aspect as to why I love TPM so much was the hype surrounding the movie. I can't remember much but I remember so much of the merchandise. All the tie-ins, video games, etc. Just engulfed in Star Wars. Is TPM a good movie? I would say no. But I can still watch it and get a lot of nostalgic enjoyment from it. Same can't be said for II and III.

 

There are elements of all three PT films that I like.

For me, ROTS has the largest number of those good elements, so that would have to be my choice.

TPM would be a close 2nd.

 

I tthink that AOTC is my favorite, I think it holds up best under analysis.

I also think it is the least offensive andh as the least laughable or cringeworthy moments... which make it eel a bit boring.