Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope

Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope

Starring Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Alec Guinness

Directed by George Lucas

The Story:
There is a civil war in the galaxy.  The Galactic Empire has created a superior weapon known as the Death Star, and the Rebels are set on destroying it by obtaining the plans.  One of the Rebel leaders, Princess Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher), is captured by the dreaded Darth Vader (David Prowse/James Earl Jones), but not before placing the Death Star plans in the android R2-D2.

R2-D2 and his android companion C-3PO take the plans to Tatooine, where they're sold to Owen and Beru and their nephew Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill).  Luke sees the message and takes the droids to Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness), who tells Luke of the Jedi and the Force.  They need to get the plans to the Rebels and rescue Leia, and enlist smuggler Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and his Wookiee first mate Chewbacca to take them on Han's Millennium Falcon.

As they approach the Death Star, they hatch a plan to save Leia, stop Vader, and destroy the Death Star before it could destroy another planet, and Luke begins to understand the ways of the Jedi and the true power of the Force.

The Synopsis:
Back in 1977, George Lucas was on the rise. He had recently directed the five-time Oscar nominated film "American Graffiti," and now he unleashed into the world "Star Wars."  Oddly enough, he didn't think it would be a hit, and he even skipped the premiere to go on vacation to Hawaii with his good friend Steven Spielberg, where they came up with the idea for "Raiders of the Lost Ark."

There were several reasons why Lucas would feel this would be a flop.  The three main leads were relative unknowns to Hollywood.  The sci-fi genre was just taking off and there didn't seem to be a huge desire for it.  So Lucas didn't attend the premiere, and instead of being a flop, "Star Wars" revolutionized not just the sci-fi genre, but cinema as we know it today.

Whereas most big budget films feature big name stars, Lucas chose to elect Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford as his leads, most of whom never appeared in a feature film (with the exception of Ford, who had a small role in Lucas's "American Graffiti").  This served him well, as audiences didn't know what to expect from the leads, and therefore had no preconceived notions as to who they were.  As I've said in other reviews, this helps the viewer really identify with the characters and to see them as real people, not as actors playing a role.  All three delivered great performances: Hamill as the hotheaded Luke, Fisher as the no-nonsense Leia, and Ford as the tough-as-nails Solo.  These three names will go on to live in cinema history.

There's one other name that is synonymous not just with "Star Wars," but villains as a whole - Darth Vader.  When the film came out, no one knew of Vader's past, his connections, anything.  All they knew is that he was one bad guy who electrified the screen - even though he was only on screen for twelve minutes.  As the films continue, Vader's true intentions, relations and nature slowly peels apart like an onion, and each revelation draws you deeper and deeper into the epic space opera.

"Star Wars" was a financial and critical success, earning an amazing eleven Academy Awards and winning seven (Best Art Direction, Costume Design, Sound, Film Editing, Visual Effects, Score and Special Achievement).  It was nominated for Best Picture, Director, Original Screenplay and Supporting Actor for Alec Guinness.  In every sense of the word, the film was revolutionary.


The Summary:
"Star Wars" sets the stage for modern blockbusters with epic action sequences, stunning cinematography and a legendary score by the master John Williams.  Even though it seems a little more dated nowadays, it still withstands the test of time and continues to astound, amaze, and inspire people today.  Far from a flop, "Star Wars" serves as an iconic piece of cinema, one that if often duplicated but never matched in its grand scope, size, and influence.

The Score: A+