Star Wars: A New Hope

Community Rating

Director: George Lucas

Writer: George Lucas

Stars: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher

Runtime: 2h 1m

MPAA: PG

Released: May 25, 1977

When Star Wars was released in 1977 it was met with unrivaled fanfare. The fervor which swept the nation propelled it to be the highest grossing film of its time, surpassing the first blockbuster from two years earlier, Jaws. While money does not guarantee quality, it’s easy to see why Star Wars was such a force upon its release.

It begins with the incredible world building of George Lucas. The movie opens rather uniquely for science-fiction with text reading, “A long time ago, in a galaxy far far away”. From here the audience is introduced to a civil war which pits rebels against a galactic empire. A simple yet satisfying plot of good versus evil is enriched by lore, lovable characters, and fantastic visual effects.

The special effects are still solid and must have been mind-blowing inside cinemas in 1977. Spaceships look real, making the first imperial ship which moves into frame feel immense and imposing. Laser fire and lightsabers are also well done which makes combat exciting and fresh. Most disastrous of all weapons is the Death Star, the most destructive imperial weapon of all. The plight of the rebels to destroy this weapon is made all the more relatable to the audience by the fantastic effects used to show off its sheer power.

Excellent set and costume design also works to make this foreign galaxy feel properly lived in. Imperial ships are pristine while those of the common folk and rebels are suitably worn. Countless alien species and robots are shown throughout the runtime. Their designs are creative and suits well made. A large cast of actors work to make these otherworldly characters come to life. Anthony Daniels and Peter Mayhew in particular do an excellent job as C-3P0 and Chewbacca respectively.

This world is propelled forward by the excellent group dynamic of the cast. Mark Hamill plays Luke Skywalker with youthful naiveté. Harrison Ford is the rogue Han Solo, appropriately suave and somewhat narcissistic. Carrie Fisher is Princess Leia Organa, a prominent political leader of the Rebel Alliance. This young trio establishes great chemistry throughout the film, with each having their own satisfying character arc. These actors do a great job working with what was at the time a rather outlandish script.

The primary villain is strong as well. Darth Vader sets a sinister tone as soon as he arrives. He is adorned in a black robotic like suit and face mask which looks intimidating. His introduction to the audience is played perfectly by immediately instilling fear and control. Throughout the film he displays a captivating use of “the force”. Another prominent villain is Peter Cushing as Grand Moff Tarkin, whose cool and calculating nature creates a general feeling of uneasiness.

The standout performance of the film is that of Sir Alec Guinness as Obi-Wan Kenobi. His vast experience shines in the role, giving credence and weight to such a fantastical story. The audience must believe in “the force” as much as Luke, and without a stellar characterization of Obi-Wan Kenobi that would not have been possible.

The film is also complimented by a wonderful sound mix and soundtrack. Star Wars helped set a new bar for audio fidelity in movies. There’s a deep rumble accompanying large ships while crisp laser sounds ring out with gunfire. The work of John Williams elevates this to another level. The main theme which plays as opening titles scroll helps to set the perfect tone for Star Wars. Perhaps the most beautiful blend of the screen and soundtrack comes when Luke looks to the twin suns of Tatooine, here the music swells in perfect harmony with the visuals.

Strong editing by Paul Hirsch, Marcia Lucas, and Richard Chew brings everything together in a brisk two hours that picks up pace as the plot progresses. The editing work helps keep the audience engaged with all the terms and concepts thrown at them from the script. This makes the film simple to digest without sacrificing any themes presented.

Star Wars is a timeless classic. It’s truly a labor of love from George Lucas that wasn’t taken seriously by many until after its enormous release. Its effects on filmmaking have endured until today through the many sequels and unrelated films it has inspired. Star Wars is a thrill ride of sci-fi fantasy goodness that should be experienced by everyone at some point in their lives.

★★★★★