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A Long Time Ago…

Posted in General Comments, Movie Review, Movies, Reviews, tagged "The Force", Alderaan, Alec Guinness, Anthony Daniels, Best Art Direction Oscar, Best Costume Design Oscar, Best Editing Oscar, Best Picture Nomination, Best Score Oscar, Best Sound Oscar, Best Visual Effects Oscar, Blu-ray Disc, C-3PO, Carrie Fisher, Chewbacca, Darth Vader, David Prowse, Death Star, DVD, General Comments, George Lucas, Grand Moff Tarkin, Han Solo, Harrison Ford, Imperial Star Destroyer, Jaba the Hutt, James Earl Jones, Jedi Knights, Kenny Baker, Luke Skywalker, Mark Hamill, Movie Reviews, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Peter Cushing, Peter Mayhew, Princess Leia Organa, R2‑D2, Reviews, Shakespeare, Star Wars: A New Hope (1977) — movie review, Tatooine, The Rebellion, Top Gun: Maverick, Very Highly to Must See Movie Recommendation, VHS, West Germany on April 21, 2026| Leave a Comment »

“Star Wars: A New Hope” (1977) — movie review
Today’s review is for the space-fantasy adventure: “Star Wars: A New Hope”, written and directed by George Lucas and starring Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker, the restless farm kid who wants more than moisture farming; Harrison Ford as Han Solo, the smuggler who pretends not to care but always does; Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia Organa, the rebel leader who’s braver and sharper than anyone expects; and Alec Guinness as Obi-Wan Kenobi, the old hermit with a past he only hints at; Peter Cushing as Grand Moff Tarkin, the cold, precise commander of the Death Star; Anthony Daniels as C-3PO and Kenny Baker as R2-D2, the droids who end up carrying half the plot on their metal backs; David Prowse (body) and James Earl Jones (voice) as Darth Vader, the black-armored enforcer whose presence fills every room; and Peter Mayhew as Chewbacca, Han’s co-pilot and loyal friend. The film blends adventure, myth, humor, and old-school serial energy into something that still feels fresh almost fifty years later. I really think of this movie as a cultural blend of hero-epic / Sci-Fi Western / good-guy vs bad-guy / sensei-student / serial movie which helps explain the cross-societal acceptance.

Background: I’ve seen this movie well over a couple of dozen times: in theaters, on VHS, on DVD, on Blu-ray, and on streaming. Perhaps only of interest to me, I never saw this film in its original theater release as I was in the Army and stationed in West Germany at the time. I did see it in a theater when it was re-released for a short theater run prior to the release of the sequel. This film was released in 1977 and “Star Wars: A New Hope” was a cultural earthquake. It received ten Academy Award nominations and won six competitive Oscars — including Best Editing, Best Score (John Williams), Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, Best Sound, and Best Visual Effects — plus a Special Achievement Award for sound effects. It was also nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Supporting Actor (Guinness). Historically, it’s one of the most influential films ever made: it changed how movies were marketed, how blockbusters were built, and how special effects were created. It also launched a franchise that’s still going strong decades later. Whether you love the sequels, prequels, or spin-offs, it all starts here.

Plot: The story begins with a rebel ship fleeing a massive Imperial Star Destroyer. Princess Leia hides stolen Death Star plans in R2‑D2 before being captured by Darth Vader. The droids escape to Tatooine, where they’re found by Luke Skywalker, a young moisture farmer who feels trapped on his uncle’s homestead. When R2 runs off to find Obi-Wan Kenobi, Luke follows and learns about the Force, the Jedi, and his father’s past. After storm-troopers kill Luke’s aunt and uncle, he joins Obi-Wan on a mission to deliver the plans to the Rebellion. They hire Han Solo and Chewbacca, fly to Alderaan (which has been destroyed), and get pulled into the Death Star. Luke, Han, and Chewie rescue Leia; Obi-Wan confronts Vader; and the group escapes with the plans. The film ends with the Rebel assault on the Death Star, where Luke (guided by the Force) fires the shot that destroys the station (remade in “Top Gun: Maverick“). It’s a simple story told with energy, heart, and a sense of wonder that still works.

So, is this movie any good? How’s the acting? The filming / FX? Any problems? And, did I enjoy the film? Short answers: Yes; solid and iconic; groundbreaking for its time; a few; absolutely.

Any good? Yes! “Star Wars: A New Hope” is one of those rare films that feels timeless. It’s straightforward, earnest, and built around classic good-vs-evil storytelling. The pacing is brisk, the characters are memorable, and the world feels lived-in without needing long explanations. The movie’s charm comes from how confidently it mixes genres: western, samurai film, WWII dogfights, fairy tale — and still feels like its own thing. It’s not complicated, but it doesn’t need to be. It’s fun, it’s adventurous, and it still works.

Acting: The acting is so-so, but still better than people sometimes remember. Hamill gives Luke the right mix of innocence and determination. Ford steals scenes with his dry humor and easy charisma. Fisher is sharp, commanding, and never plays Leia as a damsel. Guinness brings gravitas that helps sell the whole “Jedi” idea. The supporting cast (especially Cushing and the droids) adds texture and personality. Vader, with Jones’ voice and Prowse’s physical presence, remains one of the great screen villains. Nobody is doing Shakespeare here, but everyone fits their role.

Filming / FX: For 1977, the effects were revolutionary. The model work, motion-control photography, and sound design created a universe that felt huge. The ships, the cantina creatures, the Death Star interiors — all of it still looks good. Williams’ score is one of the greatest ever written and carries half the emotional weight. Some shots show their age, but most of the film holds up remarkably well. The editing keeps the action clear, and the final trench run is still one of the best sequences in sci-fi cinema. I watched the film this time on DVD and the CGI generated scenes, particularly the added Solo confrontation with Jaba the Hutt is just poorly done by modern standards. Solo is clearly superimposed over “something” which isn’t there. But even though there are multiple FX issues, throughout the film, they don’t really distract from your (my) memories of the film or its enjoyment of those memories. I’m not sure if a modern adult, seeing the film for the first time would agree without having the emotional baggage.

Problems: A few. Most of the “science” in the Sci-Fi is just wrong. The early Tatooine scenes run a bit long. The Storm-troopers’ aim is famously terrible. And the movie’s simplicity (which is part of its current charm) means some characters don’t get much depth. But none of these issues really hurt the film. They’re more quirks than real problems. By today’s standards, this would be a moderate to terrible “B” movie, but it’s difficult to separate this film from its time and place in history / American society.

Did I enjoy the film? Absolutely. This is one of those movies that still makes us feel like kids. The adventure, the music, the characters — it all works. Even after multiple viewings, the Death Star battle still gets my heart rate up. The film is fun, sincere, and (like most great hero-epic / westerns) endlessly re-watchable. It’s not trying to be profound; it’s trying to be exciting and entertaining, and it succeeds handsomely!

Final Recommendation: Very Highly Recommended to MUST see. “Star Wars: A New Hope” is a landmark of modern cinema — historically significant for its Academy Awards, its technical breakthroughs, and its cultural impact. It’s also just a fun (not great) movie. If you’ve somehow never seen it, you should. And if you have, it’s always worth revisiting to remember why this galaxy far, far away became such a big part of our own.

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Click here (21 April) to see the posts of prior years. I started this blog in late 2009. Daily posting began in late January 2011. Not all of the days in the early years (2009-2010) will have posts.