it remains a classic of its genre...

Rating: 4/10 (19 September 2004)

Star Wars, despite the butchering of the film in the late 90s remains a classic example of what Hollywood does best....great entertainment.
Although highly derivative of just about every fairytale and comic serial, the film is so well put together that once you are on board for the ride it doesn't matter.
Lucas has a very grand vision and the visual effects, whilst not quite up to 21st century digital effects certainly are effective.
This film ushered in the modern era of use of sound which had languished since the early days of stereo soundtracks in the 1950s.
Who can deny the impact of the opening sequence, especially in the cinema, of the starship zooming over the audience. It is one of the most brilliant beginnings to a film ever.
(Even if the film unions despised not having opening titles!)
It is a pity that DVD release does not have the original versions of the Star Wars trilogy. The bastardised digital updates from the late 1990s are simply not as good. Sorry Mr Lucas you are wrong to think they are better. The few extra special effects don't work and are very obvious.
The new Star Wars movies simply do not have the magic of this film and its companion originals. The overuse of digital effects and the annoying JarJar simply emphasise this.
But Star Wars is THE original and it is a must have in any film buff collection.