I would say my favorite effect is actually the entire Millennium Falcon chase scene in TESB. The shots of the Star Destroyers looming over the Falcon and the scene we get of the imperial fleet are spectacular. I also loved the asteroid chase scene. To me those effect still trump anything we have seen in all the star wars films. The models for the star destroyers were beautifully crafted as well as the Falcon. I never get tired of watching the whole chase. So whats your favorite effect or effect scene? You can pick any of the now seven movies.
You have good taste. Its an excellent sequence. The OT, the prequels or the new movie haven't matched its greatness yet. I truly think that CGI will never be able to match it. Even the star destroyers in TFA were kind of just there and looked kind of bland and lifeless. We never really got a real chance to see them in all their glory. Maybe in the next film we will see something like what we saw in TESB but I doubt it.
I think the original lightsaber effects where they scratched the film look better than the updated CGI lightsabers.
Gotta be a Fossile and say, the opening scene of "A New Hope", with the Imperial Star Destroyer slowly cruising into view. Those camera angles and shooting sequences are still stunning!!!
Ah yes that was a beautiful first look at the Star Destroyer. First we see Leias little ship then we get the shot of the huge Star Destroyer. What a great way to open Star Wars. I never tire of that opening. To think it was shot 40 years ago and still looks great compared to a lot of CGI today. Something about the way they shot the modeled Star Destroyers just looks imposing in both ANH and ESB. I think its because of the white of the models against the blackness of space and the detail that was put into them. CGI just can't seem to capture that look.
I love the Millenium Falcon stuff in ESB. I also enjoyed the Falcon vs. tie fighters on Jakku in TFA. And, of course, light sabers. Kor
Incredible impact in that shot. When I was a kid in '77, the two things everybody talked about were the aliens in the bar and how that big ship went on and on and on. My personal favorite, though, is from later in the movie: The POV shot dive from high above the Death Star, leveling off and flying down the trench. Brilliant complex and effective shot, part with a painting, part with modeled pieces, and matching camera movements between the two. Amazing for '77 and still looks great.
The S.E. version of the assault on the Death Star in ANH. The opening battle in ROTS. The clone trooper vs. droids battle in AOTC.
I absolutely love the Asteroid sequence from ESB. The music, sound effects, editing and sfx all combine to create a truly stunning and thrilling sequence. That being said, my favorite is the battle above Endor in ROTJ. To this day there has never been a better space battle put on screen.
The Battle of Endor was best, followed by the Battle of Yavin. Qui-Gonn + Obi Wan Vs Darth Maul was the best choreographed lightsaber fight (mainly due to Ray Park being the only person with actual sword training), with Vader Vs Luke in ROTJ having the most emotion. Obi Wan Vs Anakin in ROTS just went stupid with way too much CGI.
I am hoping we get a proper fleet action at some point in the series. Endor was good, but it be fun to have one without a Death Star involved and without the need for a rescue mission like Coruscant. Some of the Clone Wars space battles would look nice with more photo realistic ships.
100% agree, and I am sure you have noticed how often that shot repeats itself in different ways, movie after movie! Even Harry Potter and Malfoy at the Quidditch Match!
The one special effect I liked more than other in TFA was when Poe Dameron took the Tie Fighter. It was a cool effect to see the fighter floating stuck on a fuel line and once the line breaks the Tie just moves and making that classic whining noise. One of the few original effects in the movie that we haven't seen done in the OT movies. I liked that the effect was well done but the whole sequence gave us our closet look at the Tie Fighter.
OT: Probably all the Falcon shots in ESB. It really made the ship so much of a character. PT: The opening battle of ROTS. There's so much there, but it also used the three dimensionality of space more than any other space battle I've seen sofar, with so many layers to it. Sure, it wasn't perfect yet, with ships at different angles, but at least it wasn't all happening on one plain. TFA: Basicly, everything..... but the Falcon escaping Jakku... one of the best applications of 3D technology I've seen sofar.
Alot great ones already mentionend here, I want to add the opening of AOTC with Amidala's ship ariving at Coruscant, the skyscrapers in the clouds, beautiful! Speaking of clouds, all SE shots of Cloud City.
Does it have to be visual? Because my favorite effects are sound effects. The swish/buzz of a lightsaber activating, then the buzz/crack of the sabers clashing. The pe-pew! pe-pew! of AT-AT main guns... But my absolute favorites - and they're the main reason why these are my favorite ships - are the noises made by TIE fighters. The strangled engine scream, the blasters firing, and the rattlesnake rattle in the background as the blasters recycle.