Last night we watched Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, the next movie in the Star Wars chronological timeline after Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.
This is not a review and it isn’t meant to rain on anybody’s opinion of this movie – it’s simply an attempt to articulate my own feelings about it. Your mileage may most definitely vary.
I should mention that the version we watched last night is the original version. While our copy is the crappy transfer that was all Lucas would allow on DVD (which I believe you can no longer even get), I still prefer it to the so-called “improved” version (after Lucas tinkered with it). That means, not only did Han shoot first – Greedo never even managed to get a shot off.
I saw Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope when it was first released in theaters in 1977 as simply Star Wars. I know I went back and saw it at least two more times (possibly more – my recollection is a bit hazy past the first three times). I had been reading Science Fiction and Fantasy since I was in elementary school, and watching Star Wars was a real shock to my system – not only was it the closest I’d ever come to seeing those books come to life, but the character of Leia resonated strongly with me (I was born the same year as Carrie Fisher).
Warning! Spoilers Below (if there can be such a thing as spoilers for a movie released in 1977).
What I Liked
Leia Organa. Spunky, take charge, pretty without being over-the-top beautiful – she just felt real and accessible as a character (as a person) in a way that many actresses in movies at the time didn’t. She had a mind and opinions and she could banter with the best of them. Not only that, but she was in charge AND she was unapologetic for who she was and the choices she made.
Han Solo. A scoundrel from the get-go, Han steals the movie for me. I loved the fact that: a) he was capable of being cold-blooded when it was necessary (recognizing that Greedo was likely to kill him if he didn’t shoot Greedo first); b) he wasn’t just some random pilot they hired who was all gung ho and immediately signed up for the Rebellion when the shit hit the fan; and c) he had a fully fleshed out life that had nothing to do with Luke, Leia, or the Rebellion. “Look, I ain’t in this for your revolution, and I’m not in it for you Princess. I expect to be well paid. I’m in it for the money.”
Luke Skywalker. I’ll admit he starts off as a bit of a whiny teenager, but that ends quickly (and it’s pretty clear from the start that he has a good heart). Let’s face it, the movies are called the Skywalker Saga, after all, and Luke’s introduction is a rousing good adventure.
The Story. I believe this is still the only movie of the 3 trilogies that truly stands on its own. It’s a classic tale and a whole lot of fun.
What I Was Ambivalent About
Yeah, I got nothing.
What I Disliked
I still can’t believe they didn’t give Chewie a medal!
Conclusion
The original Star Wars is still my all-time favorite of all of the movies. I think it stands up pretty well after 45 (gulp!) years. I maintain that this is the movie to use to introduce a newcomer to the Star Wars universe.
