Star Wars: A New Hope – 1977
OK, here we are at one of the big ones. I have so much that I would love to say about this awesome movie that spawned one of the biggest and most well-known franchises in history. It was a true cultural phenomenon that, and I’m not exaggerating, changed the face of moviemaking. Even people who are not sci-fi fans know what Star Wars is. It was immensely popular and continues, to this day, to be a beloved film. But here’s the trick. It wasn’t a perfect movie. In fact, it had some glaring and irredeemable flaws.
Now, what I mean by that is that Star Wars was a relatively low budget science fiction movie, and there are times when it is clearly evident. The film’s biggest weakness, as is often the case with the director, George Lucas, is the contrived, and sometimes hokey dialogue. The plot also has a few holes that the restored scenes were not able to fill. And the character development and motivations were often two-dimensional.
But all that being said, I love this movie. First of all, I have to give the Academy credit for finally… FINALLY nominating a sci-fi film. The only other example I have come across prior to 1977 is 1937’s Lost Horizon, which I would actually call a fantasy. Star Wars has iconic characters that are easily recognizable. The young farm boy who becomes a hero, the wise sage, the princess, the swashbuckling rogue and his trusty sidekick. And, of course the evil villain!
There were two members of the cast who were already well-established in the world of cinema were Alec Guinness and Peter Cushing. And when I think about it, those two proved to be the best actors in the film, when looked at with a critical eye. Cushing, in particular, was incredible in his supporting role of Grand Moff Tarkin, the sinister Commander of the planet-destroying Death Star. He steals every scene he is in, even in the presence of the movie’s main villain, Darth Vader, acted by David Prowse and voiced by James Earl Jones.
Guinness was also incredible, playing Obi-Wan “Ben” Kenobi, one of the last remaining Jedi in the galaxy. His mysterious and insightful moments as he introduces Luke to the Jedi power, the Force, easily fill you with a sense of wonder. Guinness played him with a great sense of well-placed gravitas.
Of course, everybody loves the hero, Luke Skywalker, played by Hamill. How can we not? He rises from humble beginnings, learns to use a the Force, and beats the bad guys, saving the day in a thrilling action sequence in which a small band of fighter planes attack the massive, moon-sized Death Star. Hamill’s acting, while not bad, was probably the weakest of the cast, but fortunately he got better in later films.
The only female character in the film is Princess Leia, but she is a wonderful female role-model. She is smart, strong-willed, beautiful, and commanding. But she also has a soft, sensitive side which comes out at all the right times. Fisher did a great job, and she looked great doing it.
Ford played Han Solo, the smuggler with a heart of gold. I think he is really a fan favorite because of his suave and charming demeanor, his reckless bravery, and even his shady, criminal side. Ford played the part believably and made a truly memorable character. And of course, his furry partner, Chewbacca, played by the 7 foot, 3 inch Peter Mayhew. Chewbacca was often used for comic relief, but Mayhew was actually able to give him a personality, despite the make-up which completely covered his face.
And I would be remiss if I didn’t mention two more fan favorites, neurotic interpreter droid, C-3PO, acted and voiced by Anthony Daniels, and his short and quirky counterpart, astromech droid, R2-D2, controlled by Kenny Baker. Not only were they fun, each with their own with distinct personalities, but they were integral parts of the plot.
Sure the special effects were ground breaking for their time, and most of them still hold up by today’s standards. But I have to mention the final factor that elevated the movie from good to amazing: the soundtrack. This is John William’s best known and greatest score, and that is saying a lot for the film composer who gave us Indiana Jones, Superman, E.T., Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and Jaws. The score was magnificent and the exciting musical themes that Williams came up with gave the movie a high-energy backdrop which drew movie-goers around the world into the grand and lofty universe created by Lucas.