Star Wars (1977)

Rating: 4 Stars (out of 4)

The Original Space Rangers

By Jeffrey M. Anderson

Buy Star Wars on DVD

Thoughts on the new re-furbished computer-tweaked Star Wars: Special Edition...

1) New shots: The new shot of Han Solo and Jabba the Hut is pretty incredible, but Jabba is much bigger than he was meant to be when the scene was shot. Han buddys up pretty close to Jabba, which doesn't seem likely. Stepping on the tail was a good idea. The new shots of Mos Eisley are pretty amazing, with the computer-rendered landspeeder and C-3P0 visible. It's a good thing most of the characters have masks that can be computer rendered with little trouble. A new shot of Luke talking to Biggs adds a new level to the Death Star battle, but is cliche. ("You'll tell me all about your adventures when we get back!") He's dead for sure.

2) Refurbished shots: Most of the old shots with background stuff added distract from the action you're supposed to be seeing. Some shots have "business" in them, such as Jawas falling off a newly-created monster or another creature pounding the bejeezus out of a flying droid. Some of the additions are like little puzzles. You ask yourself, "was that there before?" so it's fun, in any case.

3) Editing: The editing in Star Wars is top notch, something Siskel and Ebert pointed out when they reviewed the movie on their show. I paid special attention this time, and I was impressed.

4) Cinematography: I'm continually impressed by how the movie is shot in partial-documentary style. The camera just breezes over fantastic droids or creatures or gimmicks in some shots. The Cantina scene was revolutionary, because it took all of those fantastic, imaginitave creatures for granted. (In some ways the new stuff draws attention to itself, in contrast.)

5) Screenplay & Pacing: I love how the movie opens, with the big ship passing overhead. Then were in the thick of a battle, but we don't know why. For about 15-20 minutes, the audience is a little behind the story, and we're always interested. Then for a while, We get bored up until we get to Mos Eisley. Then the final attack is a little slow. Now that I've seen some serials, I can see how Star Wars was inspired by them. The movie could probably be split into chapters and shown in 5-10 minute bits with a cliffhanger at the end.

6) Acting: Mark Hamill is not very good in the movie, although I related to him, as Luke Skywalker, more than anyone else. It's amazing how George Lucas got Peter Cushing and Alec Guinness to be in the movie. They were the only known stars at the time. Guiness is good with Lucas' average dialogue.

7) Adrenaline: I couldn't help getting an adrenaline rush, butterflies, and tingles at certiain moments. It was great to hear John Williams' score really loud. This movie really is better on the big screen (lots of movies are).

8) Marketing: I couldn't help thinking how naive they all were in 1977, when they didn't know that this little $10 million movie would be a hit. Soon there would be mediocre movies with no characters or plot and just special effects and marketing up the wazoo. In 20 years that cycle has just become worse, with no signs of letting up.

9) Classic Status: All in all, this movie is a classic, that deserves its spot in the heart of America with The Wizard of Oz, Casablanca and the others.

DVD Details: In 2004, Lucas released the Star Wars trilogy on DVD, but only in their 1997 refurbished editions. The original theatrical releases from 1977, 1980 and 1983 are apparently lost to time. I still have my old mid-1990s laserdisc editions, and I'll be holding onto them for dear life. (In 2006, Lucas conceded and released three, two-disc special editions containing both the re-jiggered versions and the original theatrical releases, thereby rendering the 2004 editions useless. Will the fans never be satisfied?)

See also:
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)
Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002)
Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005)
Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983)

Starring: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Alec Guinness, Peter Cushing, Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker, David Prowse, Peter Mayhew, James Earl Jones (voice), Phil Brown, Shelagh Fraser, Jack Purvis, Dennis Lawson, Garrick Hagon
Written by: George Lucas
Directed by: George Lucas
MPAA Rating: PG
Running Time: 121 minutes
Date: February 11, 1997