March Madness - Star Wars Edition
Each March, millions of us put our extensive college basketball knowledge use to work and fill out a bracket for the NCAA Tournament. This year I thought I would fill out an addition bracket, one that I knew much more about, Star Wars! Now that there are 8 live action Star Wars films, a proper bracket can be constructed. The seating in the bracket was set by each films Rotten Tomato Score.
Seating:
1. Empire Strikes Back – 94%
2. A New Hope – 93%
3. The Force Awakens - 92
4. Star Wars Rouge One – 85%
5. Return of the Jedi – 80%
6. Revenge of the Sith – 79%
7. Attack of the Clones – 65%
8. The Phantom Menace – 55%
Round 1
The first round of the Star Wars Tournament was not super exciting. 3 of the matches were “blow outs” and only 1 match was close. Empire, Star Wars, and The Force Awakens, all easily beat their prequel opponents. The 4 v 5 match up was the closest by far. Rouge One was a great Movie. The 3rd act was incredible and then end scene with Vadar... bad ass. However, Jedi to me was a better movie overall. It successfully closed out the original triogy and has a ton a great moments. So, Jedi gets the win and only upset of the 1st round.
Round 2
The Final Four finds four great films goings head to head: Empire vs Jedi and Star Wars vs The Force Awakens. Jedi really holds a special place in my heart. The Battle Endor is my favorite battle from any of the movies and it is awesome to see Luke at the height of his powers. However, Empire is just a better film overall and it gets the win here.
Star Was vs The Force Awakens is much closer to me then I’m sure most people the generation before me would have it. Star Wars is iconic. Meeting Ben Kenobi, learning about the force, feeling like I’m in the cockpit of Luke’s X-Wing on the trench run, all incredible moments. Star Wars was really live changing for me growing up. However, The Force Awakens surpassed my expectations and helped me fall in love with Star Wars all over again. Not only was it a great movie but it reset the universe and serves as the launching pad for what looks to be a very promising future with Disney. I loved all the new characters, seeing my favorites return, learning what has been going on, and I can’t wait to see what comes next. So, by the slimmest of margins, The Force Awakens pulls off the upset and moves on past Star Wars.
The Finals
Empire Strikes Back vs. the Force Awakens. This is a match of new love vs. old. I have loved getting to know the new characters from Force Awakens and think the movie was really fantastic and very re-watchable. But Empire was what originally cemented my love for Star Wars. It is such a solid movie all around. Empire took everything I loved about Stars Wars and expanded it in every way. It will go down as one of the best movies of all time and wins my 2017 Star Wars Bracket!
