Star Wars: Ranking the 10 best lightsaber battles

7. Obi-Wan and Anakin vs. Count Dooku II (Episode III)

Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker go on a mission to rescue the captured Chancellor Palpatine from General Grievous’ flagship during the space battle on Coruscant. After sneaking and fighting their way through the ship, Obi-Wan and Anakin duel with Count Dooku who is “guarding” Chancellor Palpatine.

In the battle, which easily one of the best from a visual effects standpoint in the whole film series, Anakin shows off his progress since he last faced Dooku at the end of Episode II.

Anakin defeats Dooku and slices off his head after Palpatine tells him to. This point is incredibly important because it leads to the beginning, basically, of Anakin’s relationship with Palpatine, who, as we know now, turns out to be Darth Sidious.

The lightsaber battles and action sequences are great fun and a huge draw to the films, but I also really enjoy how well the battles have an impact in the larger plot and story. The finality of death is always a huge plot-changer in story, but it’s how the deaths occur that shape the story.

If Anakin doesn’t give in to Palpatine’s request to have Dooku killed, does the end turn out differently?

Next: Luke vs. Darth Vader I