A Galaxy stuck in the 70's

Rating: 6/10 (1 August 2003)

Clearly there are movies that define their eras. Star Wars, is a 70's movie, that relates well to other time periods, while at the same time losing meaning as time goes by. it doesn't help that George Lucas has decided to ruin the meaning of his film, by adding the first three chapters --- which take the mystery away from BOOK 4 and takes away from the joy of the subsequent films.
I never understood the great hoopla behind this film. I first saw it in college, but I felt, that although okay, it was not great science fiction. and although I do appreciate that the film was the "thing to do" in 1977, I don't think it held any special meaning to me in 1996.
Great Science Fiction fascinates, it asks unanswerable questions. This is not Science Fiction, it is Fantasy, and as a Fantasy piece, it has been replaced by The Lord of the Rings as the best Fantasy movie series out there. I'm sure The Lord of the Rings will be seen as a turn of the 21st Century film, that clearly only speaks to that era --- but that's the way it is. Star Wars is a great movie. Just not one of the true greatests.