A Long Time Ago, A Masterpiece Was Born.

Rating: 10/10 (21 June 2018)

I first saw this movie when I was 6 in Dayton, Ohio. When that huge Imperial cruiser chases Leia's blockade runner through space, I was hooked. This movie changed movie making from then on. The special effects were mind blowing and people wanted to get lost in this magical universe.
The story begins when The Empire ruled by Darth Vader( David Prowse)& voiced by ( James Earl Jones) find out that rebel spies have uploaded secret planes of the Imperial Battle Station. It's nickname is the Death Star; because it has enough power to destroy a planet. When Leia ( Carrie Fisher) hides the plans in R2-D2( Kenny Baker), she is wanted by Vader. R2 and his counterpart C-3PO( Anthony Daniels) immediately escape, by getting into an escape pod. The escape pod is bound for the planet of Tatoonie. In the meantime, Vader finds Leia, questions her; and she is immediately taken into Imperial custody.
When the droids reach Tatoonie, they are found by Jawa's and hauled away in a droid transport. They are then taken to the Lars' homestead and sold. The Lars' Owen( Phil Brown) and Beru( Shelagh Fraser) are Luke Skywalker's ( Mark Hamill) aunt and uncle. Before dinner Luke is told to take the droids to get them cleaned up. While cleaning R2 he stumbles upon a portion of the recording. Luke wonders who the girl is in the hologram. 3PO explains she is someone of importance, that was on the fleet. When 3PO goes on about the Rebellion v. Empire Luke gets excited. All Luke wants to do is Leave Tatoonie and join the academy like his friends have done. At dinner Luke explains that the droid they bought might have been stolen. He tells his uncle Owen about them belonging to a Obi-Wan. When Owen hears this he gets upset, but then goes on about how Kenobi knew Luke's father. Afterwards realizing he has to stay oat home with his Uncle for another year, he leaves. When he returns 3PO tells him R2 has wondered off to find his old master.
The next morning they search for R2 without telling Owen. When they search for him they realize they have to be careful. They are out beyond the Dune Sea where Sandpeople are everywhere. When he scouts, he is surprised by one and gets knocked out. Then they start trashing Luke's Landspeeder, until something scares them away.
In the distance Obi-Wan Kenobi( Alec Guinnis) comes along. He checks Luke out and assures R2 his friend will be O.K.. When Luke wakes, Luke and Ben are talking about R2. When they finally remember 3PO they quickly head for his house where it's safer. When they are together R2 runs the complete recording. Ben tells Luke he must come with him to Aldderran. Ben will teach him the ways of the force. Luke rejects him saying he has to return home, but will take him to Anchorhead or Mos Eisley. When leaving Ben and Luke quickly discover disturbing facts about the Jawa's that sold the droids to The Lars'. Luke discovers that The Empire is on their way to Tatoonie for the droids. This news quickly gets Luke back home. When he returns he find the homestead is destroyed and Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru have been burned to death. When he returns back to tell Ben, Luke is going to Alderran with him.
When Ben, Luke and the droids get to Mos Eisley they encounter Stormtroopers. Once there they need to find a pilot to take them to Alderran. At first, trouble ensues but Obi-Wan ends it quickly with his light-saber. Luke and Ben are introduced to Han Solo( Harrison Ford) and his co-pilot Chewbacca( Pete Mayhew). Solo will be taking them to Alderran and will be well paid for his services. When flying they realize there is a gravitational field but no Alderraan. Kenobi was the first to notice it, and Luke takes notice. It appears the planet has been destroyed by The Empire.
The news is shocking they wonder why and how. On the way they discover what appears to be a small moon. When they get closer they discover it's no moon; but an Imperial Battle Station( Death Star). It is run by Grand Moff Tarkin( Peter Cushing) & most of the Imperial fleet is there. Then Han Notices they are being pulled in by it's tractor beam. They hide themselves in The Millennium Falcon's smuggling compartments; and come up with a plan. When Vader sends a scanning crew aboard, Han and Luke kill the troopers and take their places. Vader immediately senses Ben presence, he informs Tarkin. Meantime Han, Luke and the droids lock themselves in a control room. Luke tells R2 to plug into the stations security system/base. R2 informs the rest that Princess Leia is being held prisoner. She is in the detention center and scheduled to be terminated. Luke tells Han they got to help her, but he refuses. then Luke tells him she's rich, the Han changes his mind. They come up with a plan to break into the prison block. The plan goes well at first, then it get's messed up; but eventually works. When they get out of the trash compacter they soon run into several obstacles, but eventually get safely back to the Falcon. Obi-Wan and Vader have a duel with Vader killing Obi-Wan. When Luke gets ready to board the ship he sees Kenobi get struck down. On the Falcon Luke is crushed and Leia comforts him.
The Falcon is able to escape, but has a tracking system on it. Han asked Leia What is so important about R2 and Leia tells him. He is carrying the technical readouts to the Battle Station. When they arrive at Yavin, The Empire is right behind them. A meeting is called and the readouts do show a weakness. It will take all they have because they need a precise hit. The Battle of Yavin begin with the X-Wings and Y- Wings ready to go. The battle ensues and the trench runs begins. The Rebel Alliance is eventually successful and for now The Empire is crippled. In the end, The Death Star is destroyed. A ceremony is held Luke, Han, Chewbacca become heroes; and new friendships are formed.