Star Wars Episode 4: A New Hope. The perfect beginning to a stellar franchise

Rating: 10/10 (19 April 2019)

Star Wars Episode 4: A New Hope, despite being labelled as the number four, is the very first movie in the now iconic franchise. A story of the events that transpired in a galaxy far, far away that has cemented itself firmly into pop culture. What makes a Star Wars movie so iconic? The answer is: the composing, the unique characters and stories, the set pieces, from the ships and weapons to the planets and buildings, and the stupendous effects. This movie has it all, and it sets the standard for what the rest of the franchise should live up to.
The casting, done by director George Lucas, in the movie was almost perfect. Harrison Ford, a charismatic and magnetic personality, as the smug and just as charismatic Han Solo was an excellent choice. Carrie Fisher's performance as Princess Leia was unique in the fact that, instead of being a simple damsel in distress, Leia is portrayed as a smart and cunning, yet elegant and sophisticated woman. Mark Hamill portraying Luke Skywalker as an almost whiny teen longing for more of his life is what makes the character of Luke resonate with so many people. Many people are just like Luke, just a simple person who longs to do more than they can. Sir Alec Guinness as the wise, yet cheeky Obi Wan "Ben" Kenobi fits Guinness' elderly charm. Finally, the voice of James Earl Jones as the evil, menacing, and authoritative Darth Vader is probably one of the best casting choices ever. Jones' voice, with its deep, commanding sound, made the character of Vader seem like a true haunting figure, someone to be feared and respected at the same time.
The effects in this movie are phenomenal, especially considering the major limitations in the 1970s for special effects. Mr. Lucas managed to take some not to scale models of his visions, and make them come alive. In the opening sequence to the film, viewers are exposed to the fruit of the hard work and labor put into the effects. The opening features a ship called a "blockade runner" attempting a daring getaway from a ship much larger than own size. The audience gets the feel for the massive ship, and seeing the blasters firing back and forth at one another, lets the audience see how intense the situation is. The rest of the movie features such action, like the famous Death Star trench run where Luke Skywalker has to fire a torpedo into the exhaust port to destroy the planet destroying space station.
Next there is John Williams' composing. The very moment the movie starts, you hear a loud, vivid orchestral piece that excites the audience, fueling their eagerness to see the story unfold. Williams' piece's help every scene have its feel. Each scene has its own unique score, from the high-flying space battles above the Death Star, to the down to earth scenes on Tatooine.
All in all, Star Wars Episode 4: A New Hope was a masterpiece. The combination of its excellent writing, its practical effects, the casting, and the music all come together to create a movie that will forever have changed the cinemascope.