What’s Your Favorite Star Wars Movie? Hoosiers Choose Their Favorite of These Galactic Adventures

What’s Your Favorite Star Wars Movie? Hoosiers Choose Their Favorite of These Galactic Adventures
By: Contributor Last Updated: January 11, 2018

When Star Wars Episode 4: A New Hope arrived in theaters on May 25th, 1977, it became an instant hit. Millions of people went to see the first chapter of this captivating saga and, over the next few years, continued to see each movie as it premiered. Filled with amazing characters we can all connect with, an action-packed plot, and an inspiring message of hope and light triumphing over the dark, Star Wars has become one of the most successful franchises of all time, just behind series like Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, and James Bond.

Now with a new trilogy well underway, the love fans, both new and longtime, have had for these films continues to be seen through their dedication to these stories and characters. So we wanted to know: out of the eight Star Wars films that have been made, which one is your favorite? People from around the Region sent us their choice for their favorite movie, so here are some of our favorite responses from dedicated fans from Northwest Indiana.

John Rehor said, “Was, is, always will be Star Wars Episode 5: The Empire Strikes Back, with all the others coming in a close second. Except Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace. That should just be forgotten- #hotmess.”

Other Hoosiers, like Denise Hofmann, Mark Costica, and Austin Scherer, also named Empire as their favorite film in the franchise. Choosing The Empire Strikes Back as their favorite film is not an anomaly amongst Star Wars fans. It’s common knowledge that Episode 5 is the most beloved film in the franchise. With an interesting plot that ends on a cliffhanger, not to mention one of the most pivotal reveals in cinematic history, it’s no wonder that this film has continued to be fans’ favorite for almost 40 years.

However, some people, like Vicki Tunstall, Marilyn Chapman, and Joy Dieguez, have continued to show their love for the film that started it all. Dieguez said, “Most fans, Star Wars Episode 5: Empire Strikes Back is their favorite. But I love A New Hope, despite that it does not have my favorite character, Yoda, in it.”

A New Hope stands as a classic in cinema history. Some of the most iconic characters in history, including Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Princess Leia, and Obi-Wan Kenobi, were introduced to the world and many fell in love with them. Plus, it prompted one of the many debates fans continue to have: Who shot first? Han Solo or Greedo? (Greedo definitely did, in my opinion.)

Although many people named films from the original trilogy as their favorites, a few mentioned the newer films, like Star Wars Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith, Episode 7: The Force Awakens and Episode 8: The Last Jedi. Psyche Z. Ready, Austin Scherer, and Spense Bradley all showed their love- and passionate opinions- for these new additions to the Star Wars franchise.

Bradley said, “Empire is usually my favorite, but my guilty pleasure is Revenge of the Sith. However, and man-oh-man are my opinions of The Last Jedi varied, it is my favorite [portrayal] of Luke though.”

As for me, it’s almost impossible to choose which movie I love the most. I love A New Hope because of many reasons, including Princess Leia’s spunkiness, wit, and brains as well as this introduction to a new universe of mystical forces, adventure, and inspiring messages.

I love The Empire Strikes Back because of the awesome cliffhanger that makes you wonder, “Where do we go from here?” Not to mention an awesome reveal that will go down in history as one of the greatest movie quotes ever. And I love The Last Jedi because it is a film that challenges everything I thought I knew about the Star Wars universe and offers a new way to look at this struggle between the light and the dark. All three stand at the top of my list and will probably be there for a long time.

Over the 40 years Star Wars has been around, fans from all over have debated and argued which film is the best, which film is overrated/underrated, and which film is the worst of the franchise. And with the arrival of The Last Jedi a few weeks ago, those debates have yet to quiet down and most likely won’t for years to come.

But whether you agree with someone’s analysis or opinion of the original trilogy, or the prequels and sequels, there is no doubt that Star Wars has some of the most dedicated and loyal fans of all. As new movies and video games and TV shows continue to come out, fans, some who have been there since the very first title page scrolled along the screen and some who have just been introduced to this new universe, will always continue to show their love for this galactic, sometimes goofy, and inspiring series.