Excellent start of an epic series

Rating: 10/10 (23 February 2008)

Recap: There is turmoil in the galaxy, a rebellion has broken out against the Emperor and his dictatorship. Little of that is noticed on Tatooine though were Luke lives with his uncle and aunt on their farm. However, the fight between good and evil suddenly pays a visit when Luke and his family gets hold of two droids carrying secret plans of a powerful space station. Along with mentor and old Jedi Knight Obi-wan Kenobi Luke sets out on a quest across the galaxy to save a captured princess vital to the rebellion and join the fight against the empire.
Comments: This is a terrific start to what initially was an epic trilogy, now a series of six movies. This is the first or the fourth in that series, depending on how you look at it. Anyway, the movie got it all. Most notably it is a variation on a classic theme, the young hero that sets out on quest to save the world. Only it is not set in our ordinary world but in a great galaxy with unlimited places and possibilities. And especially the special edition released two decades after the really uses the special effects to show the grandeur or horror of the entire galaxy. But one should not forget that the initial release was a break-through in special effects! But there is much more than special effects. First off there is a great story and a great plot with an excellent sense of adventure, some drama but most notably some great action. Actually Star Wars set the standard of how spacefights should be when I grew up playing, and it still holds true. Add some quick one-liners and a light sense of humor and you got what resembles a perfect mix.
John Williams has left an great impression too with one of the most recognized themes ever. The music and sound alike is wonderful. And not to forget, this is a movie that contains some very good actors and actresses. It was a breakthrough for Harrison Ford but also sported established stars like Alec Guiness. Add Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Peter Cushing and James Earl Jones and you got a great cast. And with George Lucas at the helm nothing much can go wrong.
Not only the cast is great but it sports some of the best characters ever. Luke, Han Solo, Leia, Obi-Wan Kenobi and perhaps especially Darth Vader are legends. Each and every one of them are very strong and it is easy to sympathize and identify (or wish to) with them. Even the evil Vader.
This is a great movie that I enjoy very much each and every time I watch it. Even knowing every twist and turn it don't reduce the experience. This is a movie that belongs among the stars, and that make me wish I could be among them too every time I watch it.
10/10