Star Wars

Director:
George Lucas

Writer:
George Lucas

Cast:
Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker
Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia
Harrison Ford as Han Solo
James Earl Jones as Darth Vader (Voice)
Alec Guiness as Obi-Wan Kenobi

Released: 1977
Studio: Fox
Box Office: $460,998,007

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%
IMDB Score: 8.8

Date Seen: July 16, 2009
Format: DVD

It’s hard to objectively judge Star Wars because of how it is so intrinsically ingrained into modern American culture.  Even people who have never seen the film know of Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker.  The movie has entertained and captivated moviegoers since its release in 1977.  Dispaying state of the art effects and visuals (which led George Lucas to found Industrial Light & Magic, one of the most influential effects companies) and often corny dialogue, Star Wars became the biggest box office smash of all-time until E.T. toppled it in 1983, but again took number 1 with a re-release in 1997 until over-taken by Titanic in 1998.

As I watch the movie again, I try to imagine how people in the 70’s became so enamored with the film.  Was it the story? The oppressive Empire with it’s new battlestation the “Death Star” capable of destroying entire planets with a single shot and it’s seemingly all-powerful general Darth Vader against Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and a rag-tag bunch of rebels. Or was it the cinematography and effects with shots of fighters zipping around blowing each other up and blaster shots ricocheting off walls? I don’t know.

My favorite aspect of the film is the dialogue.  Slightly campy and very cheesy, but with a philosophy that undeniably connects.  Obi-Wan is the father figure spewing out advice and witty statements around every corner such as “Who’s the more foolish: The fool, or the fool who follows him?” One particulary ironic statement that makes me crack up every time is when Luke and Obi-Wan are examining the wreckage left by the stormtroopers on Tatooine, Luke wonders if the sandpeople caused it and Obi-Wan says “These blast points — too accurate for sandpeople. Only imperial stormtroopers are so precise.” and then not a single stormtrooper blaster shot hits its intended target for the rest of the film.

I don’t know why this movie is so beloved.  I think that if it was released today it would not garner near the following it gathered 30 years ago.  Maybe a unique combination of timing and cultural circumstances led to the phenomenon, I can only wonder.  All I know is I love it too.

Star Wars is listed as number 13 in AFI’s 100 Greatest Films.

Favorite Performance:
James Earl Jones as Darth Vader (Voice)

Favorite Quotee:
Obi-Wan Kenobi – “The Force is what gives a Jedi his power. It’s an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us and penetrates us. It binds the galaxy together.”

Grade:
A-

Recommendation:
A must own for any movie fan.

Box Office News:
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince smashed the midnight record previously held by The Dark Knight at $18.5 million with an estimated $22.2 million en-route to a franchise best $58.2 million opening day.

Next Review:
Knowing