Star Wars is a film that changed the industry. Hollywood for many years, focused on serious dramas, like The Godfather films, The Graduate, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and The Days of Wine and Roses. Star Wars gives us clear lines with identifiable heroes, and clear cut villains. It is great to watch, with its action scenes and comic relief. One of it’s stars, Harrison Ford, had his first major film role. It opened a window to science fiction films, and many enjoyable action films. Let’s also not forget its legacy as a pop culture icon.
Star Wars is a coming of age story. It’s about a farm boy named Luke Skywalker, (Mark Hamil), who dreams about leaving his mundane existence. He gets this opportunity when he meets Ben Kenobi, (Alec Guiness), formerly known as Obi Wan, the last of the Jedi Knights. He goes on a quest with Obi Wan, his droids, C3PO and R2 D2. R2 had a hidden message from Princess Leia, the leader of the rebellion, to Obi Wan. Luke reluctantly takes along Han Solo, (Harrison Ford), a smuggler, whose ship they need for the journey. Also along, is Chewbacca, Han’s friend. This merry band find Princess Leia, a leader of the rebellion, against the empire, represented by Darth Vader (James Earl Jone-David Prowse. Luke, Han, and Leia, start shooting it out with the empire stormtroopers. While this is going on, Obi Wan is attempting to disable the tractor beam, holding the group’s ride, The Millenium Falcon. He succeeds in his task, but meets up with Vader, his former Jedi apprentice. He begins a lightsaber duel with Vader, which he appears to be winning. During this, he sees Skywalker and his companions, trying to get to The Millenium Falcon. He decides that rather than continue the duel, he will lay his life down, for these noble people. Vader slays Obi Wan, and the group escapes to the rebel base. The group now has the plans for the Death Star, an Armageddon weapon. The rebel forces attack the base where the weapon is located. The main attack force is killed, except for Luke Skywalker, who destroys the Death Star, with the help of Han Solo, who hits Vader’s ship, just before he can fire on Luke. The rebel alliance is victorious, and Luke and friends, receive medals from Princess Leia.
One unique thing about this movie is the comic relief, brought to it, by the droids, R2 D2 and C3PO. The constant panicking by C3PO is negated by R2D2’s courage and duty. He is always getting them into a sticky situation. The two not only give laughs, but unwittingly or not, help the heroes defeat the villains. Comic relief has always been present in many Hollywood films, provided by actors like Walter Brennan and Gabby Hayes. These two George Lucas creations, R2D2 and C3PO keep comic relief rolling along.
Although Star Wars has Alec Guinness as Obi Wan Kenobi, it is Harrison Ford, who steals the show as Han Solo. His scene, where he goes down the corridor after stormtroopers, and runs in the opposite direction, after a dozen come running after him is hilarious. Ford has another scene, where he tells Obi Wan, give me a good blaster, any day, over the force. The best scene is after Solo kills Guido, the bounty hunter. He tosses a coin to the bartender, and says he sorry about the mess.
George Lucas directed Star Wars. It was a huge money maker for the studio. The success of the film, enabled Lucas to make two sequels, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, which made more money than the original film. This tremendous success allowed for merchandising with toys, tee shirts, etc. This mass marketing of a movie and its characters, is something that continues in the film industry today.
Star Wars is a major pop icon. It’s formula has been copied in movies and tv. There are always references to it on television shows. The quotes like “ May the force be with you” and “ Only a master of evil, Darth” are universally known.
Star Wars enabled other science fiction franchises, like Star Trek, to go to the big screen. Others include Alien and Predator. It also was a precursor to action films, like Die Hard.
Star Wars as a film is a classic. It will endure for many years. Although good versus evil has been around forever in movies, the nobility and the heroism of the characters, stands out. The force is strong in this film.