“Do. Or do not. There is no try.” - Yoda

I heeded Yoda’s words of wisdom written above when I embarked on a Star Wars movie marathon. In a span of two days, I watched George Lucas’ six films that constitute the space series, in almost chronological order (I skipped the last half of Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith and finished it after I had watched the original trilogy). I will falsely claim that I watched all Star Wars films to prepare for Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens and keep the real reason to myself.

Like my entry on Game of Thrones Seasons II - IV, I will not write a summary of the Star Wars saga because I am not crazy. What I will do is write about characters and moments that are remarkable in my opinion. And yes, this might be filled with spoilers.

 

My Favorite Characters

Yoda (voiced by Frank Oz) – Yoda lived for 900 years, and as he himself said in another gem of a quote, “When nine hundred years old you reach, look as good you will not.” That is mind-blowing. The 900 years, not the looking good part. He had mad lightsaber skills, could lift an X-wing out of a swamp and the Force was strong with him. He was the master of patience and non-violence. He was good with younglings, had great sense of humor and unique way of speaking.

R2-D2 (Kenny Baker) – R2-D2 is an astromech droid who has rescued Star Wars human and non-human characters alike from sticky situations. He is not afraid of fixing speeders or X-wings while in midair with enemies shooting at him. He hacks computer systems and carries important messages and Death Star plans across the galaxy with utmost discretion. Unlike C-3PO, his intuitions are almost always correct. He is also very cute when he is stubborn (when he left C-3PO and crossed the dessert to look for Obi-Wan Kenobi on his own).

Bail Organa (Jimmy Smits) – Bail Organa tried to warn all Jedi knights after the Great Jedi Purge. He also successfully located Yoda and Obi-Wan Kenobi, the only remaining Jedi who survived the wrath of Palpatine. Later on, with perfect timing, he rescued Yoda once more after the latter’s duel with Palpatine. Lastly, he adopted Padmé’s daughter, Leia, and brought her up to be as fierce and as intelligent as her mother.

Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) – I am putting Qui-Gon here mainly because Liam Neeson portrayed him. If all Jedi knights looked like him, I would try my hardest to have a high level of midichlorians just to be near him.

 

Worst Characters

Jar Jar Binks (Ahmed Best) – Jar Jar Binks might be the key to everything according to George Lucas, but almost all, if not all, of Star Wars fans consider him a bumbling idiot who is too annoying for his own sake. I dislike the way he talks, walks, sways his limbs, flaps his ears and makes annoying sound with his lips. Every time he says, “meesa”, “wesa” or “yousa”, I die a little. I will not even mention that he was the radical member of the Galactic Republic who eventually made it possible for Sheev Palpatine to become Chancellor.

C-3PO (Anthony Daniels) – I know he understands and speaks six million languages, even the archaic ones, but my golly, he is one overly talkative protocol droid. I wished more than once that R2-D2 would just leave him or push him over the edge. Oh, R2-D2 did. 🙂 And Princess Leia shut him down once due to noise pollution. Hehehe.

 

My Favorite Moments

Every time Darth Vader Force Chokes someone – The officers of Galactic Empire dropped like flies because Darth Vader Force choked them like it was his favorite hobby. My favorite Force choked moment was the one where he was talking to the officer onscreen, Darth Vader thought that his commands were not met so he killed the poor guy thousands of miles away from him.

“No, I am your father” moment – If I were Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), I would be mind-f***ed after learning that my father is a Sith lord.

Darth Vader’s Death (say it five times) – As Palpatine’s (Darth Sidious) Force lightning enveloped all of Luke, Darth Vader rescued Luke from imminent death. As a result, Darth Vader suffered irreparable damage and died in Luke’s embrace, with him looking at his son’s face without the mechanical black mask. Luke was right that Darth Vader did not totally consume Anakin Skywalker’s humanity and goodness.

 

Awesome Twosome

Yoda and Mace Windu (Samuel L. Jackson) – As Anakin Skywalker said, he wanted to be “as powerful as Master Yoda and as good as Master Windu”. They were the driving force of the Jedi Council, the epitome of knowledge and fairness. Mace Windu was very much Samuel L. Jackson, the way he walked, “posed” and curled his lips.

Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and Lando Calrissian (Billy Dee Williams) – Han Solo and Lando Calrissian are, to borrow Princess Leia’s word, scoundrels. Yes, they took advantage of people when they could, but they piloted the Millenium Falcon with flying skills unmatched in the galaxy, which ultimately saved the lives of Luke, Princess Leia and the members of the Rebel Alliance.

Padmé Amidala (Natalie Portman) and Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) – Padmé Amidala and Princess Leia did not share the screen in any of the Star Wars film if I recall correctly, but this mother-daughter tandem started the girl power revolution. They are well-versed in the political arena and their fighting skills are not shabby either.

 

Favorite Costume - Padmé Amidala’s everything. Padmé’s wardrobe are ridiculously uncomfortable that restrict a wide range of motion, but they look amazingly gorgeous. The ornately-designed gowns as the Queen of Naboo are colorful and reflect her origins. As a senator, she opts for muted colors which highlight her beautiful face. As Anakin’s bride and wife, her clothes are light and flowing, like her state of mind – dreamlike. Her accessories perfectly match her wardrobe. And her ever-changing hairstyles are to-die-for.

 

Favorite Quotes

“Do. Or do not. There is no try.” – Yoda in Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back.

“You can’t stop change any more than you can stop the suns from setting.” – Shmi Skywalker in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace.

“So this is how democracy dies…with thunderous applause.” – Padmé Amidala in Star Wars episode III: Revenge of the Sith.

*I watched these films for only the second time. I skipped the last part of Revenge of the Sith because it was too cheesy for my taste, and Hayden Christensen was a ham actor who did not give justice to Anakin Skywalker.

Thank you, Hope. 🙂