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Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)

DVD Cover (Walt Disney Studios)
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Overall Rating 86%
Overall Rating
Ranked #35
...out of 20,203 movies
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Connections: Star Wars

Princess Leia is captured and held hostage by the evil Imperial forces in their effort to take over the galactic Empire. Venturesome Luke Skywalker and dashing captain Han Solo team together with the lovable robot duo R2-D2 and C-3PO to rescue the beautiful princess and restore peace and justice in the Empire. --TMDb
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Review by bluemeanie
Added: September 27, 2007
May 25, 1977 is probably one of the five most important dates in cinematic history. It is the date that launched a phenomenon the world over -- what would become the most successful franchise in cinematic history -- what would turn director George Lucas into an overnight superstar and eventually into one of the most powerful and influential filmmakers in the history of film. The motion picture was "Star Wars", and as soon as you saw that scrolling narrative -- "A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away" -- you knew you were in for something unique. Even today, watching the first film (actually, the fourth) in the series is an experience. You're not just watching a film -- you're engaging in a cinematic experience. "Star Wars" brings out the kid in all of us.

If you don't know what the film is about, you've been living under a rock. The first film (actually, the forth) deals with Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness) as they do battle with the Empire after rescuing the recently kidnapped Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) from the clutches of the evil Darth Vadar (James Earl Jones, voice). Vadar has been building the ultimate weapon -- The Death Star -- an enormous battle station that can destroy an entire planet. Here, we see the early formation of the Rebellion and setting up that will eventually take us into "Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back". This first film is about setting up the rest of the franchise, even the prequels. Some find the ending unsatisfactory, but what do you expect from a film that is basically the science fiction version of The Old Testament?

What made this film so successful? What made this franchise so important in cinema history? Well, for starters, "Star Wars" was one of the first 'it' films. It was one of the first film to create that kind of buzz and produce such an enormous core of supporters and fans. "Star Wars" was one of the first films to cause a line to form days before the film's release. A "Star Wars" film was an event. This is the only film in the franchise that I was not taken to see in theatres upon its original release, but I did see its re-release in the 1990's. The three prequels, I waited in line for hours on their respective days of release and enjoyed the entire experience. "A New Hope" was the first, so the buzz had to build more than with the others, but this was a film that just blew away what the industry thought, in terms of marketing, advertisement and brand selling. It revolutionized the industry.

There are so many images and scenes from this film that create such a lasting legacy. You get the marquee shot of Luke standing against the backdrop of the sunset -- a beautifully constructed shot if there ever was one. You get all the sexual tension between Hans Solo and Princess Leia; you get the epic light-saber battle between Darth Vadar and Obi-Wan Kenobi; and you get Chewbacca howling like a banshee throughout the film. My favorite scene in the film is absolutely the scene towards the end of the film -- when Luke and the rest of the gang of the Millennium Falcon are on the ship and you all of a sudden realize how much of a story is left to tell in this film. You realize immediately that a sequel is imminent. It's one of those moments, kind of like "Back to the Future", where you know the film is about to end and you'll have to wait for the rest of it. "Star Wars" had that ability to drive fans crazy because they just couldn't get enough of what they were seeing.

Some people love the franchise. Some people hate it. I love it. This was the one I responded to as a child and still as an adult. I was a "Star Wars" nut and still am. At the end of the day, whether you think "The Empire Strikes Back" is the better film or "Attack of the Clones" or "Revenge of the Sith" -- the fact remains that none of them would be here without "A New Hope". It's the film that started it all. It's the film that revolutionized the film industry for the first time in a long time. It's the greatest science fiction film ever made, hands down. It's the total package, in terms of entertainment value, and it still packs its punch all these years later. George Lucas did not just make a good film -- he made an epic film that would last and last, much like all of his films before. "A New Hope" is a masterpiece for numerous reasons. Plus, it makes me feel like a kid again.

10/10.
Tristan #1: Tristan - added September 27, 2007 at 8:49pm
Hans huh? I never thought I'd see the day this would be up on our beloved little site. The three movies were my favourite childhood movies. I know each movie word for word, and still love them to death. The easiest 10/10 I've ever given.
Crispy #2: Crispy - added September 27, 2007 at 9:10pm
I'm going to apologize for my OCD ahead of time, but can we keep the titles of the series consistent? "Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope." Anyway, I'm extremely glad you started doing these. I wanted to do the other four for awhile now, but I kind of share Tristan's "not the classics" reservations. 10/10
Crispy #3: Crispy - added September 27, 2007 at 9:53pm
Thank you kindly.
Griffinheart #4: Griffinheart - added September 27, 2007 at 11:34pm
Isn't reviewing this kinda like reviewing solitaire? Everyone knows what it is and whether it's awesome or not. For 9/10th's of the population, this movie is an easy 10/10.
bluemeanie #5: bluemeanie - added September 28, 2007 at 9:56am
No, it's not difficult to review "Star Wars", nor was it difficult to review "Dr. Strangelove". But, they still need reviewing. But, wait until I send in my alternate review for "A Clockwork Orange". Not so cut and dry.
Tristan #6: Tristan - added September 28, 2007 at 10:19am
Somebody found the Kubrick collection at a decent price. I paid $180 for mine.
bluemeanie #7: bluemeanie - added September 28, 2007 at 10:41am
Yeah, I bought mine when they first came out -- at Best Buy.
Edd #8: Edd - added September 28, 2007 at 10:56am
9.6? ...the hell?
bluemeanie #9: bluemeanie - added September 28, 2007 at 11:09am
Looks like there's a heretic somewhere on this site.
Lucid Dreams #10: Lucid Dreams - added July 11, 2010 at 2:26am
Blah blah blah a classic. 10/10
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