Star Wars Episode 4: A New Hope (1977) Review

Time: 121 Minutes
Age Rating: Medium level violence
Cast:
Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker
Harrison Ford as Han Solo
Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia Organa
Peter Cushing as Grand Moff Tarkin
Alec Guinness as Ben Obi Wan Kenobi
Anthony Daniels as C-3PO
Kenny Baker as R2-D2
Peter Mayhew as Chewbacca
David Prowse as Darth Vader
Director: George Lucas

The Imperial emperor who’s taken over the galaxy has created the ‘Death Star’ a powerful weapon that could destroy an entire planet. Princess Leia Organa (Carrie Fischer), a leader of the rebels acquires plans of the Death Star and places them in R2-D2 (Voice: Kenny Baker), a droid but she is captured soon after. R2-D2 is sent with C-3PO (Voice: Anthony Daniels) to find Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guiness). They end up with Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), a farm boy who lives with his foster aunt and uncle on the desert planet of Tatooine. They recruit the help of smuggler Han Solo (Harrison Ford), captain of the Millennium Falcon, and his first mate, Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew), a Wookiee to help them attempt to rescue Leia from Darth Vader (David Prowse, voice: James Earl Jones), the leader of the Imperial troops.

Star Wars (sometimes known as Star Wars: Episode 4 – A New Hope) is a world famous movie that everyone knows of. Star Wars was revolutionary when it came out but somehow still manages to hold up to today’s standards. It is a classic that will never grow old on audiences and a masterpiece that will last through many generations that will always be admired.

The Star Wars movies have made an impact on countless other Sci-Fi movies and the biggest impact that it has made to cinema is the world that it has created. The world of Star Wars is interesting and every form of media expands it; from novels, to video games and even the prequels. Everyone is used to it now but it’s hard to imagine such a well crafted world being made in 1977. Whenever anyone watches Star Wars, it always feels fresh and new. Helping the film is the beginning that grabs your attention and it never lets go. Star Wars’s pace is always consistent and isn’t too slow or fast, it is somewhere in the middle. The film also ends satisfyingly with a climax that is always enthralling.

Just about everyone knows the main characters; every one of them are memorable especially Darth Vader. From the very first moment you see Darth Vader; you can see that he is a menacing force to be reckoned with. It helps that he has the voice of James Earl Jones, adding more threat to an already dangerous character. Another character who steals the show is Han Solo, played by Harrison Ford. Ford gives Han such personality and is really enjoyable to watch him. These characters, along with Luke, Leia and all the other characters are well established and played perfectly by the actors.

The special effects and sounds were groundbreaking in 1977 but still hold up today. Some of today’s movies’ special effects may be better looking than Star Wars but they didn’t make quite the impact that Star Wars made. There are even some movies in the 90s that didn’t have special effects as good as Star Wars’s. The production designs of the many places are also worthy of recognition as each place is made memorable and distinctive. John Williams’s scores that he has done for the entire Star Wars series are some of the best that he has composed, along with Indiana Jones. It goes so well with every shot of the film and every moment, especially the action scenes.

Overall, there is never enough to say about Star Wars. Its world is interesting, the characters are memorable and the special effects are groundbreaking. This movie really is an adventure, its fun and has a story that is really engaging. If you haven’t seen this film for whatever reason, go watch it now. This masterpiece, which was cleverly made, is always an enjoyable film that will be in everyone’s memories for years to come.

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