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T3: Lightsaber Battles

Since I’ve been in such a Star Warsish mood lately I got to thinking about my favorite lightsaber battles. Every time that phrase comes to mind I automatically think of Phantom Menace, but this most recent run through of the series changed my perspective.

Disclaimer:
The following list does not represent Cat Fancy’s opinion as a whole. This is only Nancy’s opinion and personal lists are encouraged in the comments.

10. Participants: Qui-Gon Jinn Vs. Darth Maul
Location: Outskirts of Tatooine
Episode I

This fight introduced Darth Maul to the series and made whiny kids all like, “WTF? I thought he had a twin bladed light saber, ah man this is lame.” I enjoyed this particular fight despite it being one of the shortest. Qui-Gon also appears to be a little out of shape.

9. Participants: Mace Windu & the Little Bitches Vs. Darth Sidious & Anakin Skywalker
Location: Supreme Chancellor’s Office
Episode III

I found the other Jedi in this fight to be extremely weak and laughable, but Mace Windu proves to be pretty bad ass. This fight has everything from Force Lightening to hideous bone deformities. It is also an intrical part of the plot, as we see Anakin become Darth Vader.

8. Participants: Obi-Wan Vs. Darth Vader
Location: Death Star Hallway
Episode IV

As I write this I keep hearing AJ yelling at me, “Ahh wtf, you dumb-ass. That should be mass-high on the list.” Well besides the fact that it is the first lightsaber battle we have the liberty of witnessing, it is rather dull and even the dialogue makes me drowsy. At this point in the movie I am more interested in how Luke and the gang are going to escape than watching these two geezer’s duke it out.

7. Participants: Yoda Vs. Darth Sidious
Location: Grand Convocation Chamber
Episode III

This fight was hyped up a little too much by Tim and I was a more emotionally preoccupied with the other fight that was going on during it. None the less, it is a pretty visual one with the representative’s booth’s being tossed around like lawn furniture and Yoda just telling that Force Lightening who’s boss. Though I would be pissed if I was a Senator who came in for a vote the next morning to find that my booth and all its important contents was missing.

6. Participants: Obi-Wan, Anakin, & Yoda Vs. Darth Tyrannus
Location: Hanger on Geonosis

Episode II

This of course is the worlds first look at Yoda’s saber wielding abilities. The crowd at the theater roared as he used the force to unleash his weapon and go postal on his former apprentice. But preceding Yoda is Anakin’s impatience, which leads him to having his arm cut off and Obi-Wan injured.

5. Participants: Obi-Wan & Anakin Vs. Darth Tyrannus
Location: Trade Federation Battleship
Episode III

Starting off the movie with a visually stunning space battle leading to one of my favorite lightsaber duels was a great way to kick off Revenge of the Sith. This definitely set the tone for this to be one of the darker installments of the franchise.

4. Participants: Luke Vs. Darth Vader
Location: Cloud City
Episode V

Three rounds of intense fighting and dialogue, this particular fight will always be ranked atop of any fans list. Starts off with Vader trying to encase Luke in carbonite. Then down to a lower level where Vader uses the force to knock Luke out the window, and finally onto the perch where Darth Vader’s true relationship with his foe is revealed.

3. Participants: Qui-Gon & Obi-Wan Vs. Darth Maul
Location: Naboo
Episode I

Basically my only argument that this is a film not worth skipping, this is finally where we see what life was like in for Jedi in the Old Republic. Before they were extinct, the Jedi were very agile and had to know their opponents next move if they were going to last any longer. A very visually stimulating performance by whoever was actually fighting, and one of the better endings to a lightsaber battle.

2. Luke Vs. Darth Vader
Location: Second Death Star
Episode VI

Basically the reason I rank Return of the Jedi as my favorite of the series. So much happens during the span of this fight. In perspective of the original trilogy, we finally find out who this emperor guy is and how he fits into all of this. In perspective of the whole series we finally see Anakin fulfill the prophecy of the one that brings balance to the force. So much hate, suffering, and pain is poured into one scene. A great conclusion to an epic tale.

1. Obi-Wan Vs. Darth Vader
Location: Mustafar
Episode III

As for my generation, this is the scene where it all come together. The whole series is tied up to this one battle. We all knew what was going to happen and who was going to fight. But we didn’t know how it would finally fold out. After Obi-Wan discovers that Anakin has turned to the dark side, he is forced to confront his old apprentice on the volcanic system of Mustafar. The setting makes for an intense fight and John Williams score just reminds us what is going through Obi-Wan’s mind at this point. He has to overcome the fact that his best friend and apprentice Anakin Skywalker is no longer alive, and that this Dark Lord of the Sith must be destroyed before he harms too many more former cast members of Cheers. This scene was so emotional it made Steven Spielberg cry. I still get shivers every time I watch it.

Honorable Mention: Obi-Wan Vs. General Greevus, Luke Vs. Vader Dagobah Acid-Trip, Luke Vs. Sphere thing, Star Wars Kid.

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