A film easy to understand, flexible, modern and pleasing as transports us to a fantasy world and engaging in the midst of the Civil War

Rating: 8/10 (16 May 2020)

Long ago, in a galaxy far, far away ... This is the first line of one of the most profitable routes and revolutionary in the history of cinema.
1977. A year that certainly was marked in the history of world cinema when the young filmmaker George Lucas conceived of intergalactic adventure that won a legion of fans worldwide. Earlier, the director had to his credit a few short films and a documentary series. It was there that appeared good THX 1138 (1971) and the successful comedy American Graffiti (1973) he wrote with Gloria Katz and Willard Huyck, and had in its main cast Richard Dreyfuss, Ron Howard (future director of blockbusters) and Paul Le Mat Both projects, especially the second, had critical success and audience, drawing the attention of Fox, which has a budget of $ 8 million dollars (much for the time), decided to fund its ambitious project, Star Wars. Mainly because of discrediting a story that talked about space, and because the director did not want to pay, taking only the merchandising rights over their work and complete freedom of creation, the project went ahead. In fact, Lucas knew what he had on hand was special and had a good chance of achieving success. And that was precisely what happened. That earned him enough money to open his own film companies. Among them is the ILM (Industrial Light & Magic), the company that revolutionized the industry with high quality special effects and technology itself.
The theme of space had been treated before but with totally different approach. For example, in master Stanley Kubrick's2001: A Space Odyssey addressed other aspects more scientific, realistic and questioning, resulting in an art film, cerebral and striking, that Kubrick could almost anticipate and create your vision of the planet Earth space even before the man reach the moon years later. However, nothing can compare to the universe of action / adventure / drama and above all, fun created by Lucas. There was a movie questing, just a great entertainment with a fantastic ambiance and unlike anything that had been seen before in cinema. This pattern of creation was so innovative and impactful that several filmmakers followed the concept in their future science fiction works such as Ridley Scott, avowed fan of Star Wars, had used in his upcoming films: Alien (1979) and Blade Runner (1982). With Star Wasappeared a concept hitherto non-existent: the film "blockbuster" or "blockbusters", made with big budgets and they had the power to generate big box office. The studios come out and profiting course, viewers from around the world getting impressed every revolution effects. The movie changed the rules of Hollywood, bringing special effects to a level never seen before and made the studios would give more importance to young people in the cinema.
Lucas conceived the plot into six parts, but saw that in 1977 would not have the technology needed to bring the first parts of the plot to the big screen. So decided to start telling the plot for the last film, with the intention of producing the first chapters of the saga years later, so they knew that the technology would be able to give all the support necessary for the completion of his dream. With the film's success and guarantee the realization of upcoming films, the first "Star Wars" won the subtitle "A New Hope" in 1981, when it was reissued.
Filming took place in the Sahara desert in Tunisia for the scenes on the planet Tattoine. After that the filming went to London, where the scenes of the Death Star and the spacecraft was built. Meanwhile, in the United States, Industrial Light & Magic, a company founded by Luke, began preparing the models, miniatures and equipment to create special effects. After production problems and find the first cut and disastrous effects, Lucas took control of ILM technicians to show what he wanted in terms of action and speed to the space battle scenes. After adjustments, the Fox executives saw the movie could actually revolutionize the cinema.
It's a Civil War period. The Imperial Forces -- under orders from cruel Darth Vader (David Prowse) hold Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) hostage, in their efforts to quell the rebellion against the Galactic Empire. Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) and Han Solo (Harrison Ford), captain of the Millennium Falcon, work together with the companionable droid duo R2-D2 (Kenny Baker) and C-3PO (Anthony Daniels) to rescue the beautiful princess, help the Rebel Alliance, and restore freedom and justice to the Galaxy.
What strikes us most is the ambiance of Star Wars, now in cities, now in desert planets, and also the most diverse beings. Some monsters are legitimate, others are humanoids. All live on their planets and often appear in the same place as the bar scene where Luke and Obi-Wan/Ben go after Han Solo and Chewbacca. We also see the common presence of droids. All that is emerging on the screen and think normally. The identification and recognition with that new universe is the main factor that makes the film so be admired today.
The script shows the sources of inspiration for George Lucas, with each character from "Star Wars" can be easily identified with one or more archetypes several references, as in science fiction and ancient mythology. The characters are also very different and very charismatic, playing key roles in the plot. Mark Hamill, who had interests in the curriculum only series and TV movies, proved very charismatic and able to hold the weight of leading a blockbuster with much skill. With his white robe, is the juxtaposition of the black costume Drath Vader. The hero is shown as innocent at first, but with a spirit always argumentative, impulsive and personality, leaving her very interesting development. Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia, is a heroine who needs to be rescued, but beyond beauty, also shows with great personality and courage, captivating the audience. Harrison Ford as Han Solo, perhaps the most interesting character, because it has an own code of ethics and morals, as well as being selfish and conceited. However, late in the film where Solo leaves aside the design we created him a "mercenary who only cares about money." Even the phrase "do not let you (Luke) get all the glory to himself") still meets with the previous events shown throughout the film. Alec Guinness will also very much like the hermit sage. Anthony Daniels as C -3PO and Kenny Baker as R2-D2 are also super good and has a fundamental role in the plot, and the great comic relief in the midst of a war scenario. Darth Vader proved a villain really awful and striking, being crucial for feel a real threat. The characterization of Darth Vader is perfect with the costume completely black, combined with a firm and menacing voice of James Earl Jones and ending with his lightsaber red as opposed to blue saber heroes.
The art direction and photography are crucial in building the world we see on screen. Photograph of Gilbert Taylor highlights colors lifeless on the planet Tatooine, giving a visual arid, which reflects the characteristic of that planet while hard life of those people constantly threatened by the empire. When the action takes place on the ship of Darth Vader, the grim picture, highlights the dark colors, which represent evil. Allied with the art direction needs to Leslie Dilley and Norman Reynolds, the scenes in space denote advanced technology scenarios in models made precisely, making it easier for the special effects team working. In one scene, when Luke and Kenobi arrive in town to negotiate with Han the use of a ship, the general plan of Luke highlights the fine work of art direction, which creates a different village, full of detail in each of its buildings. If today, some may say that the effects are exceeded, for the time was a real revolution. Fact is that the effects are impressive even today. All this careful visual appearance is impressive, from the many creatures like Jabba dangerous) to the stately ships that cut at high speed chase sequences and fights in space, marking some of the great moments of the film. Be done without major technologies, the talent and creativity of professional values the work. The art direction, the costumes and special effects were deservedly Oscar-winning.
Sound also plays a key role in the strength of Star Wars. The sound effects in the fights with the lightsabers, the sound of the ships moving in space, the sounds of the robotic droids, are essential to the progress of the plot, combined with the spectacular soundtrack John Williams. Unforgettable is even a track, especially the part of the signs going up on the screen into space. No wonder that both the sound, the sound effects and soundtrack have won the Oscar for his work.
The editors Richard Chew, Paul Hirsch and Marcia Lucas can also print speed all the time and not let the pace drop. The assembly also uses often fade and transition of images that overlap on the screen, giving an air of purposeful episodic narrative. A major problem of A New Hope is its closed end. Lucas Meso having a story to six chapters, it was not certain of the success of this first feature. If no other film was produced later this would have to be closed, with a beginning, middle and end. With a little slip at the end where the events seem a bit quick to quickly finalize the story, the plot is easy to understand, flexible, modern and pleasing as transports us to a fantasy world and engaging in the midst of the Civil War. A film that revolutionized and won millions of fans around the world, leaving us with very high expectations, fully rewarded with the great "The Empire Strikes Back" released three years later.
"May the Force be with you"