The Mysterious Greatness of Star Wars

Rating: Null/10 (25 February 2000)

***Note*** This is a review for the entire quartet taken as a whole.
I am the type of person who generally likes darker, more, serious films; often with tragic and rather unhappy endings. I also enjoy straight forward action flicks. Comedies suck in general, unless they are completely absurd or quite dark (Airplane, The , Ace Ventura, Naked Gun, Suicide Kings etc.). So it is strange that of all the films I have seen none come close to being a rival for Star Wars.
Yes I know all about the mythological references, the Jungian archetypes. I also know George Lucas has created an amazing universe that seems remarkably real and complete; that has its own life and personality if you will. Yes the special effects are tremendous. More than the effects themselves, it was George's ability to make something interesting from the effects that contributed to the film's success. The effects weren't just well done, but were actually interesting creations and beautiful pieces of art. The Phantom Menace actually is the best for this; I'll never forget the spires of Coruscant, the Gungan city, or the Pod Races and their pilots.
But I'm getting of topic. Don't get me wrong, the movie is great for all the reasons above. What other reasons are there? Well the simple plight of Luke is a very powerful one. It is a factor that I feel is often overlooked, just like the good job Hamill does with Luke in Return of the Jedi. I really felt he communicates Luke's deep need to try and save his father, and I don't usually praise any actors performance. Harrison Ford's performance was totally devoid of any charisma and inspiration in ROJ; especially compared to his previous efforts.
Once again though I'm getting away from the point, which is this. I really don't know what this series of films has that make me ENJOY them so much. Enjoyment. That's the real crux of the matter. I see other films that I know are good. The actings good, the script original and unique, the action sequences are top notch. Yet so many of these films do nothing for me. No amazement, no sense of wonder, no interest in what happens to the characters. I feel nothing.
Star Wars has that something that makes me excited, that makes me feel some involvment. What happens in those films becomes important to me. I care about how it ends, and not just a little bit. Other fans know what I'm talking about I think. They remember that feeling they had when they first saw the films. No other films made me feel like that. It was as if Lucas read my own mind and no one elses and then made a movie just for me; that satisfies some strange need or desire on my part. It is this personal aspect of the films that makes them so precious. Whoa, precious? Yes, precious. I actually cherish these films. In the end Star Wars seem to be about me and for me. I can't actually imagine what it would be like if they were never made.
10/10 (all films)