Released in the Summer of 1977, Star Wars became a huge success! From this point until now, Star Wars is one of the most influential and most popular film sagas. One of the first blockbusters, young and independent filmmaker George Lucas captivated his audiences with a imaginative universe of Star Wars.
From the very beginning of the movie, audiences are blown away by the intro crawl sequence of events. Although this would have been very unusual at the time, the intro crawl sequence is very effective explaining the actions that are about to take place. In addition, the audience is immediately drawn into the film, as they sit and watch a space battle between two space-cruisers.
The audience is in awe as they watch an Imperial star destroyer attack Princess Leia’s consulate ship. Her ship is overtaken by the star destroyer. This is the first time we see one of the most important and recognizable characters in the world: Darth Vader. His dark,mechanical suit, his deep voice, and powerful demeanor makes him one of the most evil and scariest villains of all time.
Before Darth Vader captures the beautiful Princess Leia, she is able to hide the secret Death Star plans inside a droid named R2-D2. R2-D2, along with C-3PO, escape to the sand planet of Tatooine, where they journey to find the Obi-Wan Kenobi, an exiled Jedi.
From there on, C-3PO and R2-D2 are sold to Luke Skywalker and his aunt and uncle, who are farmers on the planet of Tatooine. With his new droids, Luke discovers his true destiny after Obi-Wan Kenobi saves Luke from Tusken Raiders, also known as sand people. Luke learns about “the Force” and is given his father’s lightsaber. After his uncle and aunt are killed by the Empire, Luke vows to train under Kenobi to become a Jedi. Hearing about “the Force” and the introduction of a Jedi’s powerful weapon, the lightsaber, the audience is immediately entertained. The lightsaber is one of the coolest, and most powerful weapons that everyone wishes they had. The lightsaber itself is very popular and influential, appearing as toys sold in places like Target and Wal-Mart.
Furthermore, we are shown the power of”the Force” when Kenobi uses Jedi mind tricks and says “these are not the droids you’re looking for” in order to escape from Imperial Stormtroopers. Kenobi also shows his skills with a lightsaber when Kenobi protects Luke from getting into a small fight in a cantina.
It’s in the same cantina when we meet two more major Star Wars characters, Han Solo and Chewbacca. In addition, we are introduced to their ship, which finished the Kessel run in less than 12 parsecs.
Furthermore, we are introduced to the giant, and most-powerful weapon the Empire has conjured: The Death Star. We see it’s strength when Grand Moff Tarkin tests the machine on Princess Leia’s home planet of Alderaan. Imperial gunners start the Death Star’s beam, and a great green beam shoots from the Death Star and completely destroys the entire planet.
A more dangerous sequence for the Millenium Falcon and its passengers is when they are caught in the Death Star’s tractor beam, and they are forced to hide in the Falcon’s smuggling cargo holds. Once they manage to sneak away from the ship impersonating stormtroopers, Kenobi heads to deactivate the tractor beam. After finding out that Princess Leia is being held in captivity, Luke, Han, and Chewbacca make a plan to rescue her. After a firefight with the guards, they free Leia but jump into a trash compactor once more stormtroopers arrive.
Just as they are making their escape, Luke witnesses Kenobi and Darth Vader in an epic lightsaber duel. This is what drove people insane! Watching a Jedi and a Sith battle with their respective lightsabers is an awesome image, with beautiful implications. Kenobi sacrifices himself, allowing Darth Vader to slay him, becoming one with “the Force.” This is extremely important, not only for Luke, but for the audiences understanding of “the Force.” It is terrible when Kenobi is killed, but we are relieved when we still hear Kenobi’s voice guide Luke to safety. Kenobi’s death, although a sad one was necessary in order to shift’s the story now to Luke and his journey to defeat the Empire, he is the new hope.
One of the most memorable sequences is when rebel X-wing fighters fly into space in order to prevent the Death Star from destroying Yavin 4, the planet where the rebel base is. This sequences includes great space images, and special effects such as laser blasters and small starships. The Rebel Alliances’ starships battle against the strong Death Star weaving in and out of the large space station, dodging large cannon fire and other enemy fighters.
While Rebel fighters try and destroy the Death Star, Darth Vader, along with two other TIE fighters, begin to destroy the Rebel fighters. Before Vader can destroy Luke, Han flies in to disrupt Vader’s formation, whose fighter gets knocked into the depths of space, helping Luke destroy the Death Star!
The film ends as Luke and Han are awarded for their bravery and their efforts to the Rebel Alliance.
As an independent filmmaker, Lucas has been able to control every aspect of his film, allowing his creativity to reach lengths that have never been reached before. Changing the landscapes of film, Star Wars is the most popular and most influential films of its time. When you think about fantasy, or even science fiction movies, Star Wars is the first to come to mind. The type of detail that went into creating entire worlds, weapons, planets, names, histories, etc. is definitely why we wouldn’t be where we are without it. After 30 years, Star Wars continues to be a major impact on today’s generation.
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