"Star Wars" Retro Review

There is one movie out there that jump started a cultural phenomenon that no one expected. Before it was even filmed, no one wanted it. Even 20th Century Fox who ended up picking it up had little faith in it. So little, that they let young filmmaker George Lucas retain the merchandising rights, a move which has made him vastly wealthy. Yet it took America the world by storm, spawned two sequels, three prequels, a third trilogy in the works, a Holiday Special that very few have seen since it's sole airing in 1978, countless video games and books. You'll never go a Halloween without seeing at least one Darth Vader. Whether you've seen it, hate it, know every line by heart, or mix it up with Star Trek, there is nay a person alive that has never heard of Star Wars.

This classic space opera takes place "A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away" and tells the tale of a young moisture farmer by the name of Luke Skywalker, who through his family's acquisition of two droids, finds himself in the middle of the rebellion against the evil Galactic Empire and antagonist Darth Vader. Along the way he makes new friends in Princess Leia Organa, smuggler Han Solo with his wookie first mate Chewbacca, and veteran Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi who teaches Luke the ways of the mystic religion known as "the force."

Note: I have chosen to review the original theatrical cut as it originally appeared to audiences in 1977. It does not contain the controversial added effects such as Greedo's blaster shot, or the digital insertion of Jabba the Hut.

The story is timeless and ambitious. It does not cradle you into the world of the characters, rather it organically lets you make the discoveries for yourself. While to most people the notion of droids, aliens, and exotic land creatures may capture you with a sense of awe and feel out of the ordinary, to those in the story it simply feels normal. Even the now iconic opening crawl does not treat the film with lumps of exposition and backstory, it chooses instead to put you into this world mid battle with the simple explanation that there is a civil war occurring. This is the appeal of Star Wars, and this is why it has been around so long. As implausible as all the action happening may seem and how strange the world of the characters comes across, it never treats it with a feeling of disbelief. It somehow manages to come across as relatable. It is a thrilling space adventure that takes us along for the ride, and feels as though if this world existed, these actions could happen. Normal people in normal situations (at least to them).

There was an immense scope of talent that showed up to audition for these iconic roles. Cindy Williams, Jodie Foster, Christopher Walken, Sylvester Stallone, Kurt Russell, and Sissy Spacek are among the people who tried out for the leads. Yet after hearing these impressive names, and who could have been in the movie, I would still not change a single actor.

Mark Hamill plays Luke Skywalker, a young farmer longing for something more in his life on Tatooine. He was relatively unknown to audiences at the time making his performance seem that much more magnificent. Had they casted someone already well known, then it would be much more difficult to accept this face as something other than what they have already been. He comes across with a sense of wonder, but still never feels out of place. He is pure of heart, innocent, the all around noble hero.

Alec Guinness performs masterfully as Obi-Wan Kenobi, the wise old Jedi Master, one of the few remnants of the republic before. Alec has wisdom shining out of every orifice, and plays Kenobi with a sense of optimism towards Luke's future.

The iconic voice of Darth Vader is provided with chilling overtones by James Earl Jones. He is menacing, sinister, and brooding, and the character never even shows us his face. He is the personification of evil, and he is a symbol now synonymous with villainy. Had any other person done the voice of this icon, it would never have the some power.

For the second review in a row, Andrew's Standout is one of my top three favorite actors, Mr. Harrison Ford. He plays the dashing smuggler Han Solo, who is in it for the money, but grows over the course of the film. His dry sarcasm and sense of self-preservation make him easily one of the most memorable characters in the history of cinema. He is fun to watch, hard to sense, and brings such power to the screen. You can tell that he is having fun. Everything he does in this film feels genuine. Harrison Ford was working for George Lucas as a carpenter when he was cast in a minor role in Lucas's previous film American Graffiti. He resumed physical work for Lucas, and was asked to read the role of Solo to the candidates for Princess. Lucas didn't want to cast Ford in another movie, but over time it became apparent that no one else could do the role of Han Solo justice. Rightfully so.

The special effects for the time it was made are surprisingly well done. The explosions are real, the sets are actually there with the exception of a few matte paintings (if you can spot them, congratulations). It is a true staple of film making in the 1970s, and proof that CGI isn't always necessary to make a great film.

The music. So iconic. John Williams is a master in his field.

See this movie. Thats all I have to say. It is so iconic that it has been placed for preservation in the library of congress due to the fact that it is "culturally, historically, or aesthetically important."

A+