There is absolutely nothing that I can say about George Lucas' original Star Wars that has not already been said. There is so much to love about this movie, as every aspect plays into Lucas' vision of creating the ultimate science-fiction blockbuster. Whether or not his intent was to actually make the most unarguably popular and important franchise of all time, he definitely succeeded regardless. Every part of this film works together in perfect harmony to create the epitome of an unforgettable blockbuster while throwing in pieces of fairy tale storytelling to make it stand out from the rest. The last thing in this life that I would ever want to do is get in an argument with someone about this franchise that I have never cared about and still really don't, frankly. I do not blame people who love these films and I can obviously see the mass appeal but this franchise was just never a part of my childhood. So here are some thoughts from a completely unbiased person and the reasons why I now think that this is the greatest and most influential sci-fi film ever made.
Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), a humble young man living on the desert planet of Tatooine, is told by Jedi master Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness) that he is an integral part of saving the universe from the evil clutches of Darth Vader (David Prowse, James Earl Jones). Along with the help of Han Solo (Harrison Ford), Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew), and a few droids, the team must work to stop Vader and save Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher). Only ever having seen Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Solo: A Star Wars Story (the former reluctantly with friends and the latter solely for Donald Glover), I did not know much of the context surrounding this entire world and the countless films, spin-offs, TV shows, and whatever other media has become canon. Because of this, it was very easy for me to view this film as a standalone picture and I actually believe that helped enhance my viewing experience. This film is such a fantastic story on its own that even without the massive franchise surrounding it, is one of the most interesting and original science-fiction movies ever made. At its core, this film is a fairy tale set in space, complete with the heroes rescuing a princess and all. What I enjoyed most about the script is that every character is so fleshed out and well-developed on their own in order to make their overall plot so compelling. While the statement of rescuing a princess is fairly blanketing of all of the subplots throughout this movie and the rest of the conflicts in the franchise, all it boils down to is the classic battle of good vs. evil, which is undeniably effective. I loved the simple approach that Lucas used in the script while focusing more on the design of the film, the worlds, and its accompanying characters. If there is one thing that there is no shortage of in Star Wars, it's finding an adorable alien or handsome action hero to latch onto and I really enjoyed how Lucas was able to create this massive universe in his head right off the bat. To some at the time of this film's release, I'm sure it was a tossup as to whether people would be on board with this offbeat, independent, sci-fi film. Even though the story itself is clean and easy to follow along with, the sheer amount of fictional culture injected into this film is definitely overwhelming. However, Lucas' direction is fantastic when it comes to balancing his main story with the showcase of creatures and otherworldly planets.
I know nothing of the general public's perception of George Lucas or what they think of his work with this trilogy and the prequel trilogy but one thing that I am certain on is that he is a masterful storyteller. As previously mentioned, this film works so well on its own as a satisfying story but the fact that ten other films were created based off of his original piece of filmmaking is just fascinating, let alone the television, comics, and whatnot. The way that the other films made after this one tie in is so engaging to me because while I am sure there are still plenty of plot holes, there is enough explained to keep this film's audience interested. This franchise is obviously one of the most recognizable and popular in the history of film and just like Skywalker himself, comes from completely humble and harmless beginnings. And for an independent film, Lucas utilizes the performances from his cast and the special effects of the time so well. Hamill, Ford, and Fisher have some of the best chemistry that I have ever seen from a cast in a genre film like this and that friendship has obviously been cemented for decades. Hamill is such an excellent choice for the dashing, young hero and Ford is amazing as the snarky Millennium Falcon pilot. Fisher stood out to me the most, however, as her performance is nothing short of iconic. The way that her character represents early feminism in this time period is great, as she has obviously become one of the most influential women characters of all time. The visuals in this film are surprisingly amazing too. Everything from the lightsabers to the laser blasts are astounding and for a film that will soon be 43 years old, it holds up incredibly well. The sound design also stood out to me too as Lucas' use of foley and audio re-purposing adds so many more layers to this movie's legendary visual experience.
Who could have ever predicted that the high-concept idea of a fairy tale in space could have spawned itself into the most successful and recognized franchise of all time? Star Wars is a phenomenal film that I can not praise enough and one that I'm glad I was able to genuinely enjoy. However, these films will never hold that special place in my heart that many others have experienced from growing up with these characters and stories; thankfully, though, I am at a place in my life right now where I can be simultaneously content with not seeing any new additions but appreciating and adoring the passion put into this original film.
My Rating: ★★★★★
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