It's Not All Things for All People, but...

Rating: Null/10 (12 February 2002)

You know, when I read peoples' comments about how Star Wars "sucked" and how they "don't understand its success," I just want to slap them. Hard. So that teeth fall out.
Then sanity returns, and I begin typing.
One thing I must find agreement with a few naysayers is that the effects have not held up to the test of time. That's one of the reasons Lucas revisited it and the other two with the Special Editions. Even there, the effects in some of the shots aren't quite up to today's standards.

That being said, this is a fun film. It's entertainment done extremely well. Anyone who goes looking for deep meaning and an emotional revelation is going to be disappointed by this movie. Star Wars is an action rollercoaster set in space. It's not "high art."
Now, a lot of people get more out of Star Wars than just a good entertainment buzz. They see symbolism, imagery, archetypal themes that speak to the human soul. They are the ones who raise this film above its station and call Lucas a genius. They hear the theme and call John Williams a god. And what they've done to Mark Hamill, well, that poor, poor man.
If you haven't seen Star Wars, see it. Form your own opinion. Don't believe the hype. When I saw it (lo, these many moons ago), I knew nothing of hype. I was just swept up in the film and wasn't let back down until many years later. I'd like to think that this film can still have that effect on kids.
Notice I said "kids." If you're over 30, see this film for the first time, and start going out to buy the action figures, get some help, for the love of life.