The Film That Started It All

Rating: 9/10 (2 October 2016)

Star Wars Episode IV - A New Hope is a sci-fi fantasy movie starring Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, James Earl Jones, and Alec Guinness. It was directed by George Lucas, produced by 20th Century Fox, has a theatrical runtime of 125minutes (2hrs5mins), and was released on May 24, 1977. How can I say what already hasn't been said, this movie is incredible, one of the best sci-fi movies to date. But I'm here to tell you my full opinion on the original Star Wars or Star Wars Episode IV - A New Hope.
Now if there is one thing I can complain about it is the plot. Personally I prefer the story of the other 2 Star Wars movies in the original trilogy better simply because more happens in them. Now I know a lot of people would disagree with me and say simpler Star Wars stories are better, and that's fine, it's just my opinion that I personally am not a huge fan of how you can summarize the whole movie's plot in 3- 4 sentences and how it is kind of a generic lone town hero boy becomes hero and destroys bad thing (which I guess is kinda the plot of episode 6 but whatever).
Though what definitely makes up for the story is the characters. Luke is very likable hero with a lot of good qualities plus being acted by the great Mark Hamill certainly helps. Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia is great too. Not coming off as a damsel in distress but can actually hold her own plus being an interesting character. Chewbacca is actually really funny and well made despite not saying anything. Speaking of not saying anything R2-D2 and C3-PO (yes I know C3-PO talks) are great characters despite being there basically for comedy relief it is done well. Obi-Wan Kenobi is also fantastic. Being casted by Alec Guinness who does an amazing job plus being a very well collected and calm character really shows off what being a Jedi should be. Then there is the villain of this movie Darth Vader. Being truly menacing from the start of this movie to the end. They give him just enough character to get him to be very interesting. And of course I kept the best for last, Han Solo. Completely setting a new standard for a character that's kind of a jerk but is incredibly likable, Harrison Ford may have given us one of the best movie characters of all time.
The pacing and structure of this movie is also fantastic, having great character build up while also being fast-paced and action packed.
Speaking of action let's talk about the Action, Effects, and Sound. The action and effects in this movie are truly breath-taking even to this day and it still blows my mind every time I see Alderaan blow up. Plus of course you can't forget things such as the chase away from the Stormtroopers, Obi-Wan vs. Darth Vader, and of course the incredible final ship chase to destroy the Death Star. Also just to mention the sound for things such as the lightsaber and blasters sound great. Then of course there is the masterwork that is John Williams' soundtrack which is in arguably one of the most iconic soundtracks in all of movies.
Last I would like to mention a few more of my opinions. Such as personally I think he humor in this movie is just so perfect. Unlike in the prequels which are overkill in humor or Episode VII with its obvious style of humor just being 2015 humor. This movie puts the humor in just the right places subtly and doesn't include them too often. For example, the first time I saw Han run in chasing those 2 or 3 stormtroopers acting like he can do this and then running into a herd of like 100 of them is just such an iconic scene for me. Though another complaint I have about this movie is that I feel the stormtroopers are far too dumb. I mean literally 100 of them all fire at Han and THEY ALL MISS. Another thing is that some of dialogue is a bit off (Like with the now infamous "But I want to go to the Takashi Station and pick up some power-converters!"). But as far as I'm concerned these are all nitpicks and it can't change the fact (well opinion) that this movie is still one of the greatest Sci-Fi movies ever made with Fantastic characters, action, and an amazing soundtrack.
Conclusion
9/10
Fantastic