Review of Star Wars (1977) by Lilianetty L — 21 Dec 2015

Star Wars is the original Hollywood blockbuster, revolutionising the way movies are watched, consumed, marketed and enjoyed.

Firstly though, I'll say that I think the cultural impact and legacy of Star Wars means that people look back on it with a certain nostalgic blindness - remembering it as a flawless masterpiece. But this movie is NOT a masterpiece - at least in my opinion. I think it has pacing issues, moments of weak acting and weak choreography. But in the spirit of excitement for Force Awakens, lemme focus on the good. Like I said, this movie was revolutionary. It was the first big sci-fi popcorn movie, exposing audiences to a world unlike anything ever put on film. Which brings me to Lucas' world building. The 'galaxy far far away' is an example of prime cinematic creativity and imagination executed to perfection. The scope of this world - the menacingly evil Empire (lead by one of the most iconic villains in movie history, Darth Vader) that rules the Galaxy, and the Alliance/Rebellion that opposes them, is so original, involving and mesmerising - immersing audiences in a sense of wonder and a completely refined, convincing world that we want to explore. All the sets are immaculate, and Lucas' attention to detail in costuming, locations and prod design is flawless. The practical effects are fantastic, and somehow all the special effects hold up unbelievably well nearly 40 YEARS after its release. Space travel LOOKS like space travel, the space combat and all the digital effects look incredible. Apart from a few moments, Star Wars holds up really well on a technical level.

This film must also be commended for introducing us to so many cinema icons. The millennium falcon, the Death Star, Luke Skywalker, HAN SOLO!!!!

The original Star Wars is an ambitious and revolutionary benchmark in cinema history. It was the first of its kind, and Lucas took a major risk that payed off, showing that film can transcend its structural limitations - it can exist in popular culture as something bigger, a form of unified escapism and wonder that can bring people together to witness movies as an 'event'.