Throwback Thursday Review: 'Star Wars: A New Hope'

Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope is the first Star Wars film ever made that began the entire franchise and was originally just entitled Star Wars this was changed later by George Lucas due to the release of the Prequel Trilogy to create a sense of chronology. I'm very excited to begin reviewing the Original Trilogy as they are amongst my favorite films of all time and this film was the film that introduced me to Star Wars. For the next two weeks I will be continuing my Throwback Thursday Star Wars Reviews so I will have reviewed all of the Star Wars films released to date before Star Wars: The Force Awakens. 

'Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope' Review 

Nominated For: Best Picture, Best Director; George Lucas, Best Supporting Actor; Alec Guinness, Best Original Screenplay, Best Film Editing, Best Costume Design, Best Art Direction, Best Visual Effects, Best Sound, and Best Original Score.
Won: Best Film Editing, Best Visual Effects, Best Costume Design, Best Art Direction, Best Sound, Best Original Score, and Special Achievement Award (For Sound Effects).

Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope is the first film in the Original Trilogy. and the film that kicked off the entire franchise. Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope is a space opera that encapsulates all that a film should have with entertaining action, a compelling story, characters we all know and love, and some of the most iconic moments in cinema history. 

The visual effects still hold up to a lot of today's visual effects in film, providing great space battles with serious tension, most notably the attack on the Death Star at the end of the film. The film introduces the first lightsaber battle, which may be a bit basic but has much more depth than the over-choreographed lightsaber battles from the prequels. 

The film's strongest assets are the combination of it's narrative as well as it's strong characters. It begins with the evil Galactic Empire's massive Star Destroyer attacking the small Rebel Blockade Runner and the plot is engaged when Pricess Leia inserts plans for the Empire's battle station, the Death Star, into the small blue droid, R2D2, who along with the tall, slender golden humanoid droid C3PO end up in an escape pod jettisoned to the nearest planet, Tatooine.

The film features the perfect hero in Luke Skywalker, who like everyone has dreams and aspirations and would like to pursue them to end his days as a moisture farmer on Tatooine.

Luke and the droids end up together by chance and Luke's entire life changes when he accidentally comes across a message left inside R2D2 from Princess Leia saying "Help me Obi Wan Kenobi. You're my only hope." This message propels the film forward and sends Luke on a journey where he meets Ben Kenobi (Obi Wan Kenobi), who takes the young Skywalker under his wing to train in the ways of the force. Luke along with the audience must learn about the force in order to help save the day and thwart the Empire's evil plans.

That's just a brief synopsis of the beginning of this terrific narrative. The performances in this film allow these quintessential characters to be brought to life. Mark Hamill perfectly encapsulates the hero in Luke Skywalker, who wants nothing more than to explore the galaxy.

Harrison Ford embodies the lovable scoundrel Han Solo, who totally shot first by the way. (Just a little wink to huge Star Wars fans reading this review)

Alec Guinness makes for the perfect wise old Jedi master to guide Luke in the ways of the force and his performance is top notch.

Carrie Fisher makes for a spunky Princess Leia. Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope also features everyone's favorite droid duo in the form of R2D2 and C3PO, whose moments on screen together allow for some great comedic relief. Another great character is Chewbacca, a large furry alien whose Han Solo's right hand Wookiee, who everyone will fall in love with.

This film also has one of the greatest villains in film history, Darth Vader. Darth Vader is menacing in just his presence, if you factor in James Earl Jones' deep commanding voice he is one of the most malevolent villains to grace the silver screen. And I can't forget to mention John Williams epic score that can be recognized just about anywhere and truly adds another layer to this masterful film.

I can say that Star Wars, as it was originally entitled, is a masterpiece and will forever be remembered as one of the great milestones in cinema.

Film Assessment: A+