The Worst Star Wars Duels: A Closer Look

Star Wars is renowned for its epic battles and thrilling duels, but some of these confrontations fall short of expectations. We'll explore some of the most controversial duels in the franchise, analyzing why they disappoint fans and how they measure up against others.

The Anakin vs. Obi-Wan Duel in Revenge of the Sith

Revenge of the Sith is a film that, while emotionally weighty for many viewers, is criticized for the choreography and over-the-top setting of its duel between Anakin and Obi-Wan. The emotional weight comes from the fact that Anakin is on the path to becoming Darth Vader, while Obi-Wan is a symbol of the Jedi Order he's about to forsake. However, the choreography, which involves a physical fight in a lava-filled setting, is seen as clunky and less visually appealing than one might expect. Additionally, the dialogue, particularly the iconic line 'Do or do not. There is no try,' can feel boilerplate to some viewers due to its frequent overuse in pop culture.

The Kylo Ren vs. Rey Duel in The Last Jedi

The duel between Kylo Ren and Rey takes place in a visually striking throne room setting, but some viewers found it lacking in emotional depth and stakes. While the setting is memorable and well-done, the connection between the characters does not resonate strongly enough to justify the intensity of the fight. Some fans felt the duel came off as contrived and that the stakes were not clear, making the conflict less engaging.

The Darth Maul vs. Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon Duel in The Phantom Menace

The first duel involving Darth Maul has been praised for its choreography and action. However, some fans argue that the duel lacks the emotional depth and complexity seen in other duels. The choreography is flashy, with a lot of high-energy movements, but the duel still feels somewhat lacking in the psychological tension that fans often desire in these battles.

The Obi-Wan vs. Darth Vader Duel on the Death Star in A New Hope

Despite being an early film in the franchise, the choreography and visual style of the Obi-Wan vs. Darth Vader duel on the Death Star in A New Hope are widely criticized. The fight is described as dialogue-heavy with only a brief period of blade clash. In contrast, the 2005 fight between Luke and Anakin in Revenge of the Sith is praised for its intensity and visual impact. The New Hope duel, despite the iconic positions and characters, feels more like a talking duel than an action sequence.

The First Duel in Rise of the Skywalker

Many fans find the first major duel in The Rise of Skywalker to be particularly unsatisfying. The choreography is criticized for being terrible, and the fight is poorly shot. What makes this duel especially disappointing is the lack of stakes and consequences. The entire scene feels flimsy, with little to no narrative impact. The sequence is seen as a representation of the poor filmmaking choices made during the sequel trilogy, particularly the use of the Force portal. This trope not only lacks narrative coherence but also disrupts the viewer's suspension of disbelief, making the sequence feel both unnecessary and ineffective.

The opinions on duels can vary widely, and what one person considers the worst might be another person's favorite. Despite individual preferences, these duels fail to meet the high standards set by other battles in the franchise, leaving viewers with a more mixed reaction.