Star Wars, or Episode IV: A New Hope as it's since been dubbed, is one of the earliest films I can remember seeing as a kid. No, I lie. I don't remember the actual film but I do remember excitement beyond comparison as I compared notes with my friend in the car on the way home afterwards. That sense of wonder and excitement regarding Star Wars has rarely left me in all those years...except perhaps recently. In the last half a decade animated series Robot Chicken and Family Guy have both produced spoofs of such class, that it's been almost impossible not to have subversive comedy sketches distract you while watching the film again. For a while now I haven't been able to focus on the plot, but instead the tragic back story of the alien whose arm is chopped off by Obi Wan in the Mos Eisley bar. I've also been less interested in the fact that Darth Vader escapes the Death Star battle, but that he'll be flying around for two weeks smelling like feet wrapped in leathery burnt bacon. And I love Star Wars! I was concerned I'd never see the film in the same way ever again.
Fortunately, given a little time and distance, I've been able to go back to one of my all-time favorites and embrace it again as if it were new. After the convoluted prequels, it's great to soak up the sheer simplicity of the story...farm boy helps to deliver a message and rescues a princess along the way. The tone is perfect too. Like the recent THOR, it downplays the sillier aspects (rubber monsters/weird names) and plays everything straight, making situations believable.
It's well structured, divided equally between Tatooine, the Death Star and Yavin which is all kicked off in that epic opening shot which tells you everything you need to know about the Empire and Rebellion in one, swift, iconic moment. The rest of the script is similarly economic. The Death Star conference scene details the political landscape of the Star Wars Universe, describes the power of the Death Star, informs us of Princess Leia's situation, tells us about The Force and advances Darth Vader's character arc. The cantina scene too is remarkably streamlined with Ben's ability as a warrior being showcased, sets up Luke's ability as a pilot, advances the plot and introduces Han Solo's character and his job, while Greedo highlights Han's immorality (Han shots first!). It's a real shame George Lucas re-edited the film so Greedo shots simultaneously or first as it considerably lessens Han's journey from selfish criminal to hero.
There tons of great moments that are aided by the great casting of all concerned. Guinness and Cushing add a down to earth gravitas to proceedings, Ford is brilliantly world-weary, charismatic, charming and cynical, Hammill embodies that perfect balance between naive, over-excitable boy and eager do-gooder, and Fisher gets the balance right between regal, feisty and feminine. Compared with the prequels everybody is relatable and well defined.
For such a simple story there's so much going on to enjoy. I love the way the story starts small, following the two droids until we meet Luke for the first time. Then once that iconic, spine-tingling Twin Sunset hits the story kicks in proper. I love the way Ben manipulates Luke and how Luke's home life is so grounded and mundane, right down to the squabble with his step-dad, that it makes the weird, sci-fi trappings that much more relatable.
There are so many great moments, many of which are humorous like the 'walking carpet' line, "What do you thing of her, Han?" exchange and the running gag about how crap The Falcon looks. Then there's the cliffhanger moments (as inspired by the 30's serials Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers) which dominate the final half of the movie. From the prison break onwards it's non stop, with the corridor battle, garbage monster, garbage crusher, Ben verses Vader and the escape from Death Star coming in rapid succession. The Tie Fighter attack on The Falcon I'd humbly submit as the best edit action sequence of all time. Brilliant one-liners ("Great kid! Don't get cocky"), flawless effects, John Williams bombastic, percussive score and a breathless, experimental feel to the cutting make this sequence monumental...all with a solidly structured beginning, middle and end.
It's pretty much perfect. Only the Special Edition alterations grate. The now dated CGI is mostly intrusive (apart from some nicely integrated dogfighting spaceships in the finale) while the two additional scenes (Han meets Jabba and Luke meets Biggs) slow the pace of the film and don't tell us anything that hasn't been refereed to earlier. Other than that, job well done. The photography is subtle and fresh while it's worth remembering that this was the moment that John Williams became the most important composer in film music, ever. TM.
Yep, those parodies have failed to turn me to the dark side. Even as I finish up this review I'm bombarded by landmark movie moments that have become some of the very cornerstones of my psyche whether it's, "Run Luke, Run!", that rousing chasm rope swing or "You're all clear kid. Let's blow this thing and go home".
It is a holy trilogy indeed.
Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
Episode VI: Return Of The Jedi
Episode I: The Phantom Menace
Episode II: Attack Of The Clones
Episode III: Revenge Of The Sith
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