[Queen of Corellia]

Best: "The Empire Strikes Back," no contest.

Though "Empire" has plenty of problems, it also has Hoth, Yoda, Dagobah, the Force philosophy, "I love you" "I know," 6 million forms of communication, Lando Calrissian, NO DEATH STARS, the back of Vader's Head, Cloud City, the astroids ... I mean, so much of what we think of as "Star Wars" comes from "Empire." Unlike ANH, the effects, acting, scope, and drama were all up to par.

There is some bad stuff, though. Droid antics. Stupid romantic lines, like, "You want me to stay because of the way you feel about me!" Yoda. Lando Calrissian. 6 million forms of communication. And don't get me started about that silly continuity error of Darth Vader being Luke's father. George Lucas would have to make about four more movies to explain that one ...

The second best is "Star Wars," aka "A New Hope." Not really for its own merits, but because the others were worst. This is sort of the opposite of the prequels--crudely made, but full of spirit.

The third best is probably "Return of the Jedi." I mean, Ewoks. Jabba's Palace. Luke transforming from a callow, innocent, annoying whiny farmboy to an annoying, smug Obi-Wan Kenobi impersonator. (Shut up, Luke.) The Death Star, once again. Pussification of Han, Lando, and Vader. On the plus side, it has the Emperor in it, Force lightning that actually hurts, the FRONT of Vader's head, and no Hayden Christensen.

"Revenge of the Sith," I'm not so sure about. I think I like it the best of the prequels. On the other hand, it has Hayden Christensen in it. After three movies of Padme, Obi-Wan, Anakin, Yoda, and Mace, I've lost sympathy for everyone. But overall, I think it's better than "Attack of the Clones" or "Phantom Menace."

"AotC" and "PM" are tied. "Phantom Menace" has Jar-Jar Binks in it, that asshole Qui-Gon Jinn, Jake Lloyd wooden as Anakin, and is unspeakably dull from beginning to end. More important, it represents a huge letdown to fans after years of anticipation.

By that measure, AotC should be better, and it has some moments--like the battle stuff at the end--that I really enjoy, beyond anything in PM. But it has Hayden Christensen, as the dull-eyed, creepy psycho, Anakin. *Shudder.* "I don't like sand. It's rough, and course, and irritating, and it gets everywhere!" Run, Padme, run! I can't honestly say that PM is "worse" than that!