Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope Movie Review

Released: May 25th 1977

Length: 121 Minutes

Certificate: U

Director George Lucas

Starring: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Alec Guinness, Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker, David Prouse, and Peter Cushing

Released in 1977, Star Wars (The Episode IV: A New Hope subtitle was added later) changed cinema forever by revolutionising and innovating what audiences would come to know as the modern movie blockbuster, a film which dominates the box office both in ticket sales and critical reception. It’s been nearly forty years since the saga began, and it remains a masterclass in why we all go to the movies.

Over two decades have passed since the events of the prequel trilogy; the Jedi are all but exterminated and the Galactic Empire rules over the galaxy with the villainous Darth Vader as its iron fist. But this dictatorship has let critical plans regarding its ultimate weapon slip into the hands of Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher), and as the film begins, it’s clear that they must be delivered to the rebellion in a desperate bid to end the tyranny. The audience is dropped straight into the action involving a tense chase over an unknown planet between a puny cruiser and a massive star destroyer, which firmly grabs the audience from the offset. Another interesting thing about the plot is that it opens from the perspective of the two bumbling droids C-3PO (Anthony Daniels) and R2-D2 (Kenny Baker); by having this outside look, the film almost has an element of discovery to it. Just as the droids are exploring Tatooine, so too is the greater universe gradually revealed to the audience. As an opening chapter, Star Wars does a fantastic job of introducing the audience to its world. Each character and setting enters the overall plot in a very natural and believable way. We see characters like Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill and Han Solo (Harrison Ford) enter the fray and their detailed character arcs are placed front and centre over the course of the episode. With a combination of tense moments, thrilling action sequences and effective emotional moments, the film is quite literally a rollercoaster ride, rising and falling with such perfect pacing and gusto that you never take your eyes off of the proceedings; it’s that compelling.

The characters are some of the most iconic in cinema for a reason in that they go through a specific arc. Luke Skywalker starts off as a lowly desert farmer, seemingly unwilling to get involved with matters greater than himself, but through the guidance of Obi-Wan Kenobi he begins to accept and embrace the first steps on path he takes towards becoming a Jedi. Obi Wan’s wise and calm mannerisms are beautifully crafted by the performance of Alec Guinness, who typifies the older mentor character that has since become a fixture in other film franchises. Han Solo (Harrison Ford) is just as engaging; he’s a bit of an ass in this film, only in on things based on the reward he’ll get at the end. Yet despite this characteristic he’s still incredibly charismatic and funny, the kind of likeable rogue who dives straight into the action like a bat out of hell. The final piece of the popular trio, Princess Leia, plays off Hamill and Ford for some humorous banter and makes her presence felt as a strong female character. As one of the best and most recognisable villains in cinema history, the combination of David Praus and James Earl Jones is a chilling mix for Darth Vader; the dark lord of the Sith is both imposing and calculating, demonstrating his power through his mastery of the force and his surprising skill in space combat.

Without the technology to render massive worlds and planets, the older special effects were accomplished on a closely knit and intimate level and they are still staggeringly creative in their execution. The animatronics on the creatures are vibrant and imaginative, along with the frankly gargantuan amount of props and models that were all transplanted into the film’s cinematography. The practical effects coalesce seamlessly with the environments which made use of real world locations such as Tunisia and Guatemala for Tatooine and Yavin IV respectively. Often times though it’s the little things which really allow the world to come alive; the strange serpentine skeleton C-3PO wanders by in the Tatooine desert, the many imaginative alien faces that populate the Mos Eisley cantina and the technology that fills the Imperial Death Star all contribute massively to the universe the film creates. You get the sense that more must exist beyond the first film and as a result you want to find other morsels about this galaxy far, far away, uncover its secrets and see just how deep it goes. That’s one of the greatest things that Star Wars did; place its audience into its world and sparking their imaginations like no other science fiction series has. The forever recognisable soundtrack is distinctive in the way it shifts and alters depending on characters, setting and action; from the sweeping overture of the opening credits to the foreboding Death Star Motif, the work accomplished by composer John Williams piles constantly instils a feeling of awe in the viewer. The technical specs of the original Star Wars cannot be underestimated; the special effects employed are so immersive that they fully complement, rather than hinder the plot and characters.

The very first Star Wars movie is one of the most timeless pieces of cinematic fiction ever made, even if some believe it has been tainted by some of the changes that have been made to it over the years. The superb plot, fascinating characters and dazzling universe make such an impression that they continue to stand leagues above hundreds of modern films today.

Rating: 5/5 Stars