THE TOP TEN

A new hope (1977)

Helen: “There’s a reason that this revolutionised Hollywood, launched a franchise and got my grandparents to the cinema for the first time in 20 years. Even with its hokey lines and ancient effects, nothing can match it.”

the empire strikes Back (1980)

James: “Faster, more intense: everything a sequel should be. Lacks the purity of the original but has the best twist in film history.”

Return Of the Jedi (1983)

Chris: “Let go of your Ewok hatred, and recognise that this is a pretty much perfect end to the original trilogy.”

the last Jedi (2017)

Jonathan: “Hated by some fans for reasons I just don’t understand. A brave film that holds up on subsequent viewings.”

the force Awakens (2015)

Helen: “A remix of everything we loved about the original films, this is given life by a wildly overqualified cast.”

solo: A star WARS story (2018)

Chris: “Could have been a speeder crash, given its troubled production history, but its sense of bounce and brio carries it through.”

Rogue One: A star WARS story (2016)

Jonathan: “Bottom of my list. I have affection for the prequels as they were important to me at the time. This leaves me mostly cold.”

Revenge Of the sith (2005)

James: “People only think this is the best prequel as so much happens. It’s not. Some dreadful scenes — except Order 66.”

the Phantom menace (1999)

James: “For Duel Of The Fates and the Podrace, this earns its place. Not as bad as you remember. Not as good as you hoped.”

Attack Of the clones (2002)

Chris: “The scales have fallen from my eyes. Five stars, my arse! Largely flaccid and insipid. The nadir of the series.”