The first “Star Wars” movie in 10 years, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” hits theaters in December. For those who aren”t familiar with the legendary space epic, or haven”t seen the films in a couple of years, here”s a spoiler packed guide to all six episodes.
“Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace”
Jedi Knights Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi are hired to escort Padme Amidala, Queen of Naboo, off the planet and away from a blockade by the Trade Federation. Their ship is damaged in the escape, so they are forced to land on Tatooine.
There, they meet a young slave named Anakin Skywalker, whose master Watto has the parts they need for their ship. However, Watto will only give the parts to the Jedi if Anakin wins a dangerous podrace. Anakin wins the race, the Jedi repair their ship and Qui-Gon takes Anakin with him to train him as a Jedi.
Padme receives a message from Naboo trying to lure her back to the planet to kill her. With the help of the Jedi and Naboo forces, Padme overpowers the Trade Federation. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan fight Sith Lord Darth Maul, who fatally wounds Qui-Gon. However, Obi-Wan manages to kill Maul and promises the dying Qui-Gon that he will train Anakin.
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“Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones”
10 years after Episode I, Obi-Wan and Anakin investigate an assassination attempt on Padme, who now represents Naboo as a senator in the Galactic Republic, by bounty hunter Jango Fett. Obi-Wan goes to Kamino, where he discovers a clone army built specifically for the Jedi, modeled after Fett himself.
While pursuing Fett and his son Boba, Obi-Wan is kidnapped by Sith Lord Dooku. Anakin and Padme go to Geonosis to rescue him, but get kidnapped. Mace Windu, Yoda and the Clone Army arrive and a great battle breaks out. Dooku gets away with plans for the Death Star, Chancellor Palpatine oversees the clone army and Anakin and Padme secretly marry.
“Star Wars: Episode III- Revenge of the Sith”
While Obi-Wan is sent to assassinate General Greivous, leader of the Droid Armies, Anakin, plagued by visions of the pregnant Padme dying in childbirth, discovers that Palpatine is the Sith Lord Sidious. However, Sidious convinces Anakin to turn to the Dark Side, promising him to keep Padme alive if he does so.
Anakin slaughters most of the Jedi and Sidious executes Order 66, forcing the clones to kill the rest of the Jedi, leaving Obi-Wan and Yoda as the only survivors. Sidious frames the Jedi for an attempt on his life and reorganizes the Republic into the Galactic Empire. Obi-Wan and Padme discover Anakin”s treachery and Anakin knocks out Padme before dueling with Obi-Wan.
The fight ends when Obi-Wan dismembers Anakin and takes his lightsaber. Padme dies giving birth to twins, Luke and Leia, who are sent to live on Tatooine and Alderaan, respectively. Obi-Wan and Yoda go into hiding and Sidious retrieves Anakin, rebuilding him as Darth Vader.
“Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope”
Leia hides the Empire”s plans for the Death Star in R2-D2 and ejects him on Tatooine, where Luke finds him. Luke and Obi-Wan recruit Han Solo and Chewbacca to take them to Alderaan, not knowing that the Death Star has destroyed it.
The Millennium Falcon is taken aboard the Death Star, and Han and Luke rescue Leia, but Obi-Wan is killed by Vader in the escape. Han, Luke and Leia give the Death Star”s plans to the Rebel Alliance, who organize a force to destroy it. Luke delivers the killing blast and destroys it, while Darth Vader escapes.
“Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back”
After the Empire defeats the Rebels on Hoth, Luke goes to Dagobah to train with Yoda. Han and Leia go to Bespin to meet with Han”s old friend Lando Calrissian, who hands them over to Darth Vader.
Luke sees visions of them being tortured and goes to Bespin to rescue them. Han is put in Carbonite and taken by Boba Fett, while Vader fights Luke and cuts his hand off. Vader reveals to Luke that he is Luke”s father before Luke escapes and Leia rescues him, Chewbacca and a reformed Lando.
“Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi”
Luke and Leia rescue Han from Jabba the Hut”s palace. They then travel to the forest moon of Endor where they win the trust of the native Ewoks. Luke informs Leia that they are twins before he surrenders himself to Vader in order to try to convince him to renounce his evil ways.
The Rebels, led by Lando, launch an offensive on the Second Death Star while Luke is forced to fight his father. Luke refuses to kill Vader and is tortured by the Emperor until Vader finally fulfills the prophecy and kills the Emperor, dying in the process. The Second Death Star is destroyed and the Rebels celebrate, watched by the spirits of Yoda, Obi-Wan and Anakin.
Bradley Burgess can be reached at [email protected]