Ranking the “Star Wars” movies, from funniest to Jar Jar
1. “The Empire Strikes Back” (1980):
The first sequel was dark and moody, with an uncertain ending. But the comic writing was at its peak — aided by a new director (Irvin Kershner) and co-writer (Lawrence Kasdan) who understood comic timing. A lot of time is spent in the Millennium Falcon, which has always been a good habitat for swashbuckling humor. And the film also mines comedy from the introduction of Lando Calrissian, an even bigger scoundrel than Solo. Even Yoda seems looser than he does in the rest of the franchise, with Muppets veteran Frank Oz providing the voice.
2. “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” (2015):
J.J. Abrams stopped short of giving us Ewoks or Gunguns, but when he directed the first movie without George Lucas at the helm, he seemed very aware of keeping it light. Centerpiece heroine Rey has a lot of Han Solo in her; the real Solo returns and new droid BB-8 is a cuter, funnier Cousin Oliver version of R2-D2. John Boyega as Finn has comic moments as well — the scene where he persuades BB-8 to continue Finn’s ruse as a resistance soldier is one of the film’s best.
3. “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” (2016):
The first “Star Wars” stand-alone film is by far the most cold and bitter entry in the franchise. Characters seem to be kept at arm’s length, maybe to prepare us for the … um … desolate finish. But it also has K-2SO, the character who has by far the best ratio of jokes to screen time. Alan Tudyk voices the turncoat Imperial droid, who is quick to remind his human team that if they’re all thrown into the vacuum of space, he will indeed be the only one who survives.
4. “Return of the Jedi” (1983):
The third “Star Wars” film makes the clearest attempts to be funny among the original trilogy, with hit-and-miss results. This is the least humorous film for the Han Solo and Leia characters, whose performances are often buried in spectacle. The Ewoks are … an acquired taste. But the whole Jabba the Hutt throne room scene is great fun, and C-3PO actor Anthony Daniels has some of his best moments. (“I’m rather embarrassed, General Solo, but it appears that you are to be the main course at a banquet in my honor …”)
5. “Star Wars” (1977):
The sobriety of main characters Luke and Obi-Wan drag the film down in the beginning, before Han Solo and Princess Leia slowly develop a rapport. C-3PO is more fussy than funny, and Lucas’ dedication to borrowing from earnest serialized matinees kills some of the comedic potential. There are a lot of nice sight gags though — the Mos Eisley Cantina is the first rewatchably fun scene of many in the “Star Wars” series.
6. “The Phantom Menace”/ “Attack of the Clones”/ “Revenge of the Sith” (tie):
These movies released between 1999 and 2005 make more obvious attempts at comedy than the other films, but the prequel trilogy combines mostly wooden acting with over-the-top physical comedy. Bumbling Jar Jar Binks and C-3PO are burdened with an impossible load, as new characters including Mace Windu and Princess Amidala barely crack a smile through multiple movie arcs. You can argue that the films are worth seeing, but they’re not very funny.