#3- Star Wars (1977) review

Since its release, ‘Star Wars’ has easily become one of the most beloved films of all time and is regarded as one of the most revolutionary films of all time. Even though the ‘Star Trek’ TV Show and a few films such as ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ had been released prior to the release of ‘Star Wars’, there is no denying that ‘Star Wars’ has placed a much larger impact on cinema. When taking a look at iconic and memorable films, ‘Star Wars’ ranks amongst the very highest. 

The story to ‘Star Wars’ is one that every single human on Earth knows. A young farmer boy named Luke Skywalker has hopes of fighting for the Rebellion against the evil Empire but one day, with the help of a Jedi master named Ben Kenobi, realizes that he is to become something of much more value and importance to the galaxy. He eventually agrees to go to a planet named Alderaan to deliver two droids, sent by the princess of Alderaan, with the crucial information to the technical readouts of an Imperial battle station with the potential of wiping out entire planets. Realizing that this planet is already destroyed and are suddenly caught in by a tractor beam coming from the Death Star. Here, it becomes both a survival and rescue mission as the princess is discovered to be kept captive here.

  

Every film has its strength and the biggest strength to ‘Star Wars’ is not in the incredibly breath taking action sequences or the stunning visual effects or even the incredibly inspirational story but in the characters itself. Every single main character of the ‘Star Wars’ original trilogy have now become household items whether it be Luke, Han, Leia, Darth Vader, C-3PO, R2-D2, Ben Kenobi or even characters who appear later, most notably Yoda. Each character is so energetic and even if the performances aren’t the greatest, there’s no denying that these characters have placed a huge impact on cinema. When watching these films, it is so easy to get distracted and confused to thinking that these characters are your family as their importance and love for one another is unable to be summed up in words. The bonds formed between characters in this series is legendary and the way everything was set up in this 1977 epic, is beyond my belief! 

The gorgeous and stunning visual effects continue to shock audiences across the world. No film had dared to go into visual effects to the extent of ‘Star Wars’ and to the absolute depth. To simply think that no CGI was involved but everything was made out of props and various other practical effects is astounding. Even to this day, every effect looks incredible. Those who complain that the original Star Wars films have bad effects in today’s books and that the original trilogy needs to be re-hashed are drunken morons. To top off incredible visual effects follows exciting and intense action sequences though a little silly at times, especially shootout scenes involving Imperial Stormtroopers! That said, all the action is still exciting even upon re-watches and the space battles are once more, astounding.

  

Not all the performances in this film are amazing. Mark Hamill, at the time was just getting a name in the movie industry, and so his performance isn’t always amazing. Even, Carrie Fisher delivers a good performance but not a fantastic one as these two actors would prove in later Star Wars films to give. Harrison Ford, is however the shining knight in armor of the trio and gives such an energetic and charming performance and is able to perfectly mix in wit and humour with arrogance and selfishness! The best performance of the film would most likely be that from Sir Alec Guiness, whose portrayal of Obi-wan Kenobi is so serious and so realistic that whenever he is on screen, he gives such a look of confusion yet experience from his past with Anakin Skywalker. When talking about ‘Star Wars’, not many people seem to give much reference to British legend, Peter Cushing and the voice of Darth Vader, James Earl Jones! These three performances are utterly fantastic and add such intensity and seriousness to the film. 

Anyone who reviews Star Wars without referring to and dedicating enough space to John Williams’ most iconic and best of all his legendary musical scores, truly fails. John Williams is, undeniably, the greatest musical composer to ever grace cinema. None are better than his musical score of ‘Star Wars’, which is argued to be the greatest of all time. His musical score is exciting, it’s sad, shows adventure and friendship like no other soundtrack has ever before and is the most breathable soundtrack ever. When lines such as ‘The force will be with you, always!” or “Use to the force, Luke!” have so much more power with Williams’ legendary musical score. His musical score takes it to a whole new level, and surely, without this iconic piece of music, Star Wars just would not be the same. Try to imagine the opening title crawl without the music!

  

Everything that needs to be said about Star Wars has been said a million times before, but my love for Star Wars clearly needs to be expressed, especially considering that Star Wars isn’t a childhood film for me. To think that one can still love one of these childhood favorites with no nostalgic feelings, is unbelievable. 

Grade- 10/10- One of the most magical films ever made!