One of the most influential and popular sagas in the history of film has been Star Wars. The movies ushered in an era of Hollywood blockbusters that put an emphasis on advanced special effects. With such a focus on the effects, sometimes plots and character development have taken a backseat. Characters do things that make you scratch your head or make you think “What an idiot.” Here are those moments from the Star Wars saga.
1.) Luke throwing his lightsaber away in front of the Emperor after his battle with Darth Vader on Death Star II
Luke Skywalker is perhaps the worst example of the “listening to your elders” quote. When he returns to Dagobah in Return of the Jedi, Yoda specifically says “Do not underestimate the powers of the Emperor.” Yoda should know, he battled him in Revenge of the Sith. So what does Luke do after he defeats Vader in a lightsable battle and is offered to join the Sith? He throws his lightsaber away. Sure, he was making a statement, but couldn’t he have done that in another way instead of throwing away his only weapon? Clearly, he underestimated the Emperor. Did he think the Emperor was going to just let him walk away freely?
2.) Darth Maul not kicking Qui-Gon Jinn’s lightsaber into Theed’s Generator pit
You could chalk this one up to being in the heat of the moment. After Darth Maul slays Qui-Gon Jinn, he turns to face Obi-Wan. After Maul force pushes Obi-Wan into the pit and he is holding on, Maul kicks Obi-Wan’s lightsaber into the pit. Obi-Wan then jumps up and uses Jinn’s lightsaber to kill Maul. Now, if Maul had just kicked Jinn’s lightsaber as well, then the Star Wars saga might have been entirely different. Wouldn’t you get rid of all potential weapons your enemy would use against you? Apparently not.
3.) Luke’s Plan to rescue Han Solo from Tatooine
Luke’s plan to rescue Han Solo from Tatooine is just plain dumb. He sends C-3PO and R2-D2 to Jabba the Hutt, with R2 holding his lightsaber (again, his only weapon). He offers the droids in exchange for Solo, and of course Jabba says no and keeps the droids. The next part of the plan was to have Princess Leia disguise herself as a bounty hunter and bring in a “captured” Chewbacca and then free Han in the night. When that didn’t work, the third part of the plan involved Luke trying to use a Jedi mind trick and a blaster on Jabba, which again failed. The last part involved R2-D2 shooting Luke’s lightsaber to him while Luke was being sent to the Great Pit of Carkoon. Luke and friends then destroyed their enemies and killed Jabba. All in the plan, right? All Luke had to do was just walk in, use his Jedi powers to kill Jabba or sneak in at night and free Han himself. No need to risk Leia’s, Lando’s, Han’s or Chewbacca’s life. Idiot.
4.) The Rebels still going to the Rebel base at Yavin 4, despite having feelings they were being tracked
Princess Leia really pulls a “Luke” toward the end of A New Hope. Thinking that the escape from the Death Star was a little too easy, and feeling Vader is tracking the Millennium Falcon, what does she decide to do as a leader of the Rebellion? SHE TAKES THE CREW TO THE REBEL BASE! Might as well hold up a sign that says “Please shoot me, we are here” We can forgive her with her slave outfit though. Although Han still claims “not this ship!” in regards to him being tracked
5.) Letting Anakin be trained as a Jedi
Yoda even said himself that his future was “clouded”. If he was never trained, then who knows what could have been of the Republic? For all the moves that happened, this is the dumbest.
