As the cast of Star Wars: Episode VII wrap up filming in Abu Dhabi’s vast deserts, we journey back through the franchise’s first six installments to see what worked spectacularly and what didn’t work at all.
Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999)
Budget: $115 million (Dh422.4 million)
Box office: $1,027,044,677
Critical reception: During the time of its original release, the film received mixed reviews. The movie had little humour, lacked romance and any exciting action.
Plot: Two Jedi knights are sent out to negotiate an end to the blockade around planet Naboo, but they’re faced with violent resistance from the Sith. The Jedis cross paths with a certain nine-year-old genius boy by the name of Anakin Skywalker who seems to have a strong presence of the Force inside of him.
Cast: Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Jake Lloyd, Ian McDiarmid, Anthony Daniels
Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002)
Budget: $115 million
Box office: $649,398,328
Critical reception: Movie received mixed to positive reviews. It was successful, reminding the audience what makes Star Wars fun and an improvement from Phantom Menace.
Plot: Ten years after the first episode, Jedi Obi-Wan looks into an assassination attempt on Senator Padmé Amidala only to discover an army of clone troopers is being assembled by the Republic. Meanwhile, Obi-Wan’s apprentice, Anakin Skywalker, strikes up a frowned upon romance with Padme.
Cast: Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Hayden Christensen, Ian McDiarmid, Samuel L. Jackson, Christopher Lee
Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005)
Budget: $113 million
Box office: $848,754,768
Critical reception: Considered to be the best of the four episodes, it received the highest rating amongst all the prequels with outstanding positive reviews.
Plot: Excluded from the Council, Anakin Skywalker is seduced by the Sith Lord’s lies and transitions to the dark side of the Force, lured by the idea that the dark side can prevent death. In turn, he goes against his loved ones and against the Jedi.
Cast: Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Hayden Christensen, Ian McDiarmid, Samuel L. Jackson, Christopher Lee
Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (1977)
Budget: $11 million
Box office: $775,398,007
Critical reception: Audiences gave the movie positive reviews; Chicago Sun-Times considered the movie “an out-of-body experience” due to its special effects.
Plot: The world is at the mercy of the Rebel Alliance after they steal plans for a battle station that has the power to annihilate a whole planet. Luke Skywalker and his team, including a Jedi Knight, attempt to save the day — and all the while, they have to free Princess Leia from the wicked Darth Vader.
Cast: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Peter Cushing, Alec Guinness
Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Budget: Between $23 million-$33 million (initially $18 million)
Box office: $538,375,067
Critical reception: Upon its initial release, audiences gave the movie mixed reviews. However, the movie has now been considered by the fans to be the best of the franchise’s films and a great technological achievement.
Plot: The battle between the Galactic Empire and the Rebel Alliance continues, with unfavourable results for the latter. Luke Skywalker undergoes intensive Jedi training with Yoda, and Darth Vader continues his quest to capture Luke by going after his friends Han Solo, Chewbacca and Princess Leia.
Cast: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams, Anthony Daniels, David Prowse
Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983)
Budget: $32.5 million
Box office: $475,106,177
Critical reception: In the decades following its release, the film has been considered — by critics and fans — a lesser achievement than its predecessors.
Plot: The gang executes a plan to free Han Solo from Jabba the Hutt, the Rebel Alliance learns of a new Death Star and sets out to strike it down and Luke Skywalker attempts to lure his father away from the dark side of the Force.
Cast: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams, Anthony Daniels, David Prowse
