Star Wars Saga

The nine-episode "Star Wars" series that began with 1977's "Star Wars" — now dubbed the "Skywalker Saga" — concludes with "The Rise of Skywalker." (COURTESY OF LUCASFILMS)

With the release of “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,” the nine-film Skywalker Saga that began with 1977’s “Star Wars” has come to a close. While there will certainly be more “Star Wars” films, this is the end of the episodic adventures of Luke Skywalker, et al.

This weekend, I rewatched the eight films available for home viewing in chronological order for the first time. I skipped the side films “Rogue One” and “Solo” and focused on just the episodic films. Here are my capsule reviews of each film:

The Phantom Menace

"Star Wars: Episode I-The Phantom Menace" was release May 19, 1999, after a 16-year gap between theatrically released "Star Wars movies. (COURTESY OF LUCASFILMS)

Attack of the Clones

"Attack of the Clones" clumsily continued the prequel trilogy. (COURTESY OF LUCASFILMS)

Revenge of the Sith

"Revenge of the Sith" concluded the the prequel trilogy. (COURTESY OF 20TH LUCASFILMS)

Star Wars

The original "Star Wars" was released in 1977 and its popularity changed the movie industry moving forward. (COURTESY OF LUCASFILMS)

Empire Strikes Back

"The Empire Strikes Back" deepened the universe George Lucas first created in "Star Wars." (COURTESY OF LUCASFILMS)

Return of the Jedi

"Return of the Jedi" concluded the original trilogy in 1983 and, for 16 years seemed like it would be the last "Star Wars" movie. (COURTESY OF 20TH CENTURY FOX)

The Force Awakens

J.J. Abrams "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" was the first film produced by Disney after acquiring LucasFilms. (COURTESY OF LUCASFILMS)

The Last Jedi-2

Writer/director Rian Johnson's "Star Wars: The Last Jedi," the eighth episode in the ongoing space saga, deepened the universe in unexpected ways. (COURTESY OF LUCASFILMS)

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

"Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" concludes the nine-film "Star Wars" saga. (COURTESY OF LUCASFILMS)

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