Pub.lished Movie Reviews
Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)
In a galaxy far, far away..."the film is enjoyable in its own terms, but it's exhausting, too: like taking a pack of kids to the circus. There's no breather in the picture, no lyricism... Lucas has got the tone of bad movies down pat: you never catch the actors deliberately acting badly; they just seem to be bad actors" - Pauline Kael
In Star Wars, we are immediately dropped into a futuristic yet well-worn universe where starships of immense scale attack significantly smaller spaceships. Robots bicker amongst themselves, battles are fought with plasma, and the bad guy boasts his own epic theme song.
One element that works exceptionally well in Star Wars is its focus on memorable characters in an unfamiliar universe. We are introduced to Jedi Master Obi-Wan, who shares a martial arts master/student relationship with young Luke Skywalker. We also meet the swaggering smuggler Han Solo, whose cynicism somehow becomes endearing.
However, the most memorable star of the show is Darth Vader. He dons an evil-looking outfit, breathes through an intimidating apparatus, and is associated with an ominous theme song previously mentioned. His mission? To destroy the rebel force.
Darth Vader is not only the antagonist we love to hate; he is the driving force of the entire movie, compelling our heroes to unite against the might of the corrupt and evil empire.
In addition to the amazing characters and compelling storyline, this movie introduced a number of never-before-seen special effects. It featured an epic space battle, the best that had ever been seen, and still a contender for that title, despite the fact that everything was filmed using miniatures instead of CGI. A clear ticking time bomb with a distinct objective gradually ratchets up the tension, leading to the final climax.
Lucas deliberately minimized the number of alien creatures in this film, knowing that the puppetry available at the time would detract from the film. Yet the movie starts off with a brilliant cantina scene. No other film has ever captured the original feeling of entering that cantina and seeing all these different species hanging out together. They are not the focus of the movie, but simply part of the background scenery—different aliens from different worlds, hanging out on another planet and enjoying strange concoctions and libations and getting their galactic groove on to some space jazz with an epic interstellar beat.
Lucas furiously reworked his script numerous times. After filming, he went through a series of editors to mold the film into something more coherent, while the special effects company he founded worked tirelessly to add groundbreaking special effects.
Very few people believed that Star Wars would be a success. This allowed George Lucas to retain the rights to sequels and merchandising, and enabled Spielberg to retain 2.5% of the profits of Star Wars in exchange for Lucas getting 2.5% of the profits of Close Encounters. Star Wars opened on a limited number of screens, drawing incredibly long lines.
This is the story within the story. It's about how a daring filmmaker took on the Hollywood empire, with its cliché stories, endless sequels, preference for big-name actors over the joy of a good story well told, and suppression of artistic creativity in favor of maximizing profits. Sadly, when George Lucas won his fight against Hollywood against all odds, he became Hollywood, and his new empire embodied the evil he was fighting against, favoring special effects over a well-told story. Ultimately, Star Wars became one of the most successful films in history, significantly influencing culture and technology.
Regrettably, George Lucas insisted on inserting CGI aliens in the late '90s, on top of the puppet-style aliens of the '70s, a move that still offends many original fans, including this one. However, he did continue to make at least one more epic movie. The Empire Strikes Back.
- You are not a fan of science fiction space opera films.
- Intense spaceship battles and laser shootouts are too violent for you.
- You prefer movies with more grounded, realistic settings.
- Unusual and bizarre alien character designs unsettle you.
- You are too young to understand the complex narrative and themes established in Star Wars universe.
Warning: The following may contain spoilers:
What's the deal with "Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope?"I mean, you've got these guys flying around in spaceships, right, but they're still using swords...And not just any swords, but 'light'sabers. Who's in charge of weapon design here? "Hey, we've got interstellar travel, laser guns, and planet-destroying Death Stars, but you know what we really need? Shiny, glowy swords!"
And let's talk about the Death Star for a minute. This thing is the size of a small moon, but the entire operation can be taken down by one well-placed shot? I've seen better security on a bicycle lock!
And then there's the droids. You've got one who's fluent in over six million forms of communication, and the other one's a glorified trash can on wheels. Talk about an odd couple!
And don't even get me started on the Stormtroopers. These guys can't hit the broad side of a barn! Can they even see out of their helmets? Seriously! Who thought a helmet with teeny tiny eye holes was a good idea?
- Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
- Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983)
Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
"Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back" (1980) continues the thrilling epic begun in "Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope" (1977) with familiar characters returning in deeper, more complex narratives. It expands the Star Wars universe by introducing new planets, species, and elements of the Force, while maintaining the original's adventurous spirit and timeless themes of good versus evil. The Empire Strikes Back is praised for its character development, darker tone, and surprising plot twists, thus offering a satisfying sequel for fans of A New Hope.
Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983)Buffs of "Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope" will also love "Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi" because it continues the epic space opera saga with the same beloved characters, including Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and Han Solo, and introduces new ones like the Ewoks. It further explores the conflict between the Rebel Alliance and the Galactic Empire, culminating in an epic showdown. Return of the Jedi maintains the same blend of action, adventure, and humor, with thrilling spaceship battles, lightsaber duels, and the ultimate redemption of one of cinema's most iconic villains, Darth Vader. It concludes the original trilogy on a high note, providing satisfying character arcs and narrative resolution.
Star Trek (2009)If you have a penchant for cosmic journeys, Star Trek is a must-watch. Directed by J.J. Abrams, this reboot of the classic television series brings a fresh interpretation to beloved characters in a high-stakes adventure. It's an intriguing exploration of friendship, destiny, and the vast unknown of space.
Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)Directed by James Gunn, Guardians of the Galaxy offers a mix of adventure and humor in a cosmic setting. If you enjoy the camaraderie and action of Star Wars, as well as its unique characters, this Marvel hit - complete with a killer soundtrack - could be ideal.
Serenity (2005)A creation of 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' creator, Joss Whedon, Serenity is a space western carrying a great balance of action, adventure, and humor. It continues the story of the TV series Firefly, offering deep, engaging characters and an engrossing universe similar to Star Wars.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016):Rogue One is a side story to the Star Wars saga but is crucial to the series' overall narrative. It masterfully blends the familiar elements of Star Wars with a unique story that stands on its own. The movie, directed by Gareth Edwards, offers riveting action, compelling characters, and a story full of hope and rebellion, much like A New Hope.
The Fifth Element (1997):A cinematic spectacle from master filmmaker Luc Besson, this movie combines sci-fi, action, and humor into a classic space opera. With memorable performances from Bruce Willis and Milla Jovovich, The Fifth Element delivers an intergalactic adventure that can surely satisfy your Star Wars cravings.
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