From A Certain Point of View continues over at StarWars.com as Kristen Bates and Matt Cabral take a look at something that is often the tipping point of a Star Wars adventure – the lightsaber battle. But which one is the best? It’s all subjective, but let’s have some fun as we look at the ones Kristen and Matt chose.
Darth Maul dueling Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace takes the crown, says Kristen.
Starting the prequel trilogy off with a bang, Obi-Wan and Darth Maul’s lightsaber duel in The Phantom Menace is the best in the saga. It’s literally called the “Duel of the Fates.” Everything hangs on this singular moment between two apprentices who have everything to prove and nothing to lose. Plus, visually, it’s just cool! Darth Maul has a double-bladed lightsaber and he’s fighting two experienced Jedi with a twirling, acrobatic style we had never seen before, at one point blocking a strike from behind without even looking. Amazing!
It’s Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, says Matt.
Given the enormous plot payoff that concludes Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader’s encounter in The Empire Strikes Back, selecting their lightsaber duel as the saga’s absolute best seems like a no-brainer. But I’d argue their showdown on Bespin earns that status long before Luke loses his hand and learns of his unfortunate parentage.