The Classic Among Classics

Rating: 10/10 (2 April 2010)

I would be extremely hard pressed to find a film that has affected pop culture in anywhere close to the way Star Wars has since it made its way into theaters on May 25, 1977. From the way films are made and special effects are done, to the way it changed marketing and merchandising forever, Star Wars has become the defining example of pure blockbuster fantasy. It is a pleasure to watch as much for its ability to take us to new worlds and tap into our imaginations as it is a revolution in creative and inspired storytelling. The charm, the fun, the grandeur, it all clicks on levels rarely seen and stands the test of time as one of the best moments in the history of cinema.
It has many iconic characters, including one of the greatest movie villains ever in Darth Vader, as well as perhaps the only character Harrison Ford could ever play that could compare to Indiana Jones in Han Solo. Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Obi-Wan Kenobi, C-3PO, and R2- D2, Chewbacca, the list goes on, and these characters stand as some of the best examples of how to take standard character types and make them instantly memorable and engaging.
The tone of this film is outstanding, injecting enough humor and light hearted fun when necessary, but also having an emotional core that resonates to its timeless themes. It has plenty of action, including one of the most dynamic climax battles in movie history. It would be hard to find someone that can't appreciate that final assault on the Death Star (in itself an iconic creation), from the shots and effects to the surprisingly deep emotional core. And without Star Wars, we wouldn't have perhaps the coolest weapon of all time, the lightsaber.
The special effects might have taken over to horrifying extremes in the newer prequel films, but when it comes to the original, it's still impressive how immersive this universe is and how well the effects help tell the story. And while the story is in no means original, the way it's told is simply inspiring.
Adding to the proceedings is the first of what would be some of the best musical scores of all time couryesy of John Williams. Every character has a memorable motif, every scene injected with cues that perfectly accompany the visuals. In fact, one could listen to just the soundtrack and follow the film perfectly, that is how good this score is.
One of the amazing things about Star Wars is how well it comes off considering how hard it was to make, and how having to create a movie with so many production issues spawned a series so good. Perhaps nothing has tapped into our collective imagination so effectively since Star Wars. It is easily one of the most important and influential films of all time.