Review of Star Wars (1977) by Kenneth B — 19 Dec 2015

This was always my least favourite of the original Star Wars films. It is way too fluffy and for long periods is sluggish and not very well written and the action is no where near as remarkable as that of the Empire Strikes Back.

It is all George Lucas and perhaps that is why because time has proven that isn't a spectacular director. The light-saber battle between Obi-Wan and Darth Vader is an anti-climax and isn't anywhere near as intense as the ones between Luke and Vader in the next two films, it's a passing moment and I've always thought that it demanded more spectacle especially given the context of the relationship of Obi-Wan and Vader, something that we are all very familiar with by now.

This is also Mark Hamill's weakest turn as Luke. People slated Hayden Christensen, perhaps correctly, for his role in 2 and 3 but Hamill is a poor actor, which is why it was not he who went on to a consistent career.

A New Hope is a good foundation for a superior film yet to come and is undeniable fun but that's about all.