After 2005's awesome Mustafar duel in ROTS, we arrive at what Ewan McGregor coined "The rematch of the century".
Here are my Top 5 favorite Star Wars duels:
1. Luke Skywalker, Jedi Padawan vs Darth Vader, Sith Lord in TESB
"The Force is with you, young Skywalker. But you are not a Jedi yet."
Kirshner killed it. It's shot beautifully. It's scored perfectly. It's emotional and yet showcases Luke's abilities and repairs Vader's awful ANH moves by making him fast and fluid with his saber.
2. Qui-Gon Jinn, Jedi Master & Obi-Wan Kenobi, Jedi Padawan vs Darth Maul, Sith Lord in TPM
"We'll handle this."
It was the Jedi at their prime. It was the Sith reborn. The fighting is spectacular. The score is marvelous. It raised the stakes for dueling amongst Force users. Glorious from start to finish.
3. Obi-Wan Kenobi, Jedi Master vs Darth Vader, Sith Lord in ROTS
"If you're not with me, then you're my enemy."
"Only a Sith deals in absolutes."
Its brutal. It's fast. It's thrilling. The score is glorious. It's what we'd wondered about for decades. The death of a friendship. Two brothers who shouldn't be trying to kill each other REALLY try to for 20 minutes. Heartbreaking. Amazing.
4. Darth Sidious, Sith Master vs Mace Windu, Jedi Master, Kit Fisto, Jedi Master, Saesae Tiin, Jedi Master & Agen Kolar, Jedi Master in ROTS
"I am The Senate."
My opening night theater went NUTS 17 years ago when Palpatine uttered those words. I'll never forget how when he Force called his saber from his sleeve people were screaming. Little did Windu and the other Jedi know what was coming. It's brutal. It's the end of Palpatine's nice guy act where we finally meet what's underneath the "mask" and the beginning of the Republic's fall.
5. Yoda, Jedi Master and Leader of the Order vs Darth Sidious, Sith Master in ROTS
Like #4, it's a fight for democracy. For the Republic. He who wins decides what's in store for the galaxy. The destruction of the Senate is frightening. The Supreme Chancellor turned out to be a Dark Wizard hellbent on oppression and fear. Yoda is the only chance at stopping him.
"At an end your rule is. And not short enough it was."
The crowd went nuts. I'll never forget the love Yoda got during that fight.
Let's see if tonight's rematch makes it into my Top 5!!!
