First my ranking:
ESB
ANH
ROTJ
*Big Separation*
ROTS
AOTC
*DOWN*
TPM
For me the comments about comparisons not being valid, are in themselves invalid; if these are meant to be construed as one long story, then inevitably they will be considered that way. The most obvious note of comparison to me is essentially story over flash. I personally feel that the PT are so artificial and digitalized, that we lost much of the wit and depth that made the originals so effective. Lucas was attempting to create myth to inspire a generation largely discouraged and estranged due to the societal conflicts and scandals of the time. The PT lost that vision and became nothing more than "good eye candy," set on making us essentially watch just how many CG characters Lucas could fill the screen with. I found absolutely no character to be admirable, no one I could identify with; and actually detested them all by ROTS. Yoda was disgraced with the advice he gives to Anakin, you actually wished he would suffer loss. Mace became a cruel step-father, never letting Anakin play in any "Jedi-games." Obi -Wan was an ignorant and indifferent tutor, who failed to keep his apprentice close to his side. And Anakin, oh my, what a winey, spoiled, half-wit. The relationship of Padme and Anakin could only take place "in a galaxy far, far away," because dialogue so stale and heartless would never beget a lasting relationship on this planet. I couldn't care less who died, they all were whiney and irritating. The Jedi were portrayed as tyrants in ROTS, you actually wanted the Sith to win.
Where's Padme ...... NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Padme loosing the will to live, decidedly dying and leaving her unborn to fend for themselves, what a spoiled brat!
Anakin hacking up Jedi younglings, and then finding redemption in ROTJ - I almost want him to die a cruel and miserable man now.
And perhaps worst of all my grievances, is just how small this Star Wars world really was. Is it not comical how they all seem to live just two doors down? ROTS was the worst at this, little quips about how you can communicate with those who have died for example. Or Anakin being the real builder of 3PO, come on Lucas, Yoda didn't have to meet Chewbacca, we don't need it all spelled out for us.
Bottom line, I wish there was more substance and less computer game, but alas we have what we were given.
