Star Wars Makes Me Long to Be a Kid Again

Last night I watched Star Wars. Yes, that Star Wars. Episode 4: A New Hope. The story that started the whole saga. The original George Lucas space opera that came to the big screen in 1977 and wowed most of us into awed silence in the theater (until we got home and started quoting it madly and making "wonka" kinds of sounds as we swished around our imaginary light sabers with friends).

I've seen Star Wars more times than I can count. In the theater when it was first released, numerous times on video or DVD, back in the theater again when it was re-released with Lucas' additional special effects. The purist in me still likes the original film release the best, which is what I watched last night.

Last night was interesting because it was the first time I'd seen the movie in a few years, only the second time I've seen it since Lucas rolled out the three "prequel" films (supposed back story to his original trilogy of Star Wars, Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi). I'm not sure what I was expecting really, beyond the comfort of slipping into the familiarity of a galaxy long, long ago and far, far away.

What delighted me was how much fun it all still was. Even seeing it with much older eyes, even noticing more than I ever had before just how low-budget some of the effects and costumes were, even knowing the story so well that I could quote, like most of you reading this review, all the good lines in tandem with the beloved characters...it's still just a rip-roaring good movie and I love it.

I Had the T-Shirt...Did You?

It's true, I had a t-shirt. I think it had Luke, Han and Leia on it, in poses from one of the original movie posters. It was light blue and the image was one of those decals that eventually wrinkled and broke and wore off the shirt, probably from the repeated wearings and washings it was subjected to during that summer I was nine years old. I kind of missed the shirt last night.

What is it that makes this movie such a classic? Yes, it was ground-breaking and different in its day, even though that's sometimes hard to remember when you watch it now because it all seems familiar and commonplace. I think the real answer lies in the terrific characters and story that Lucas created. The environments they found themselves in might look alien and strange (and that's part of the fun) but they themselves are people we understand, relate to and love.

There's young, headstrong Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) who struggles to learn about his past and who wants to make a real difference in the world; arrogant but slightly insecure Han Solo (Harrison Ford) who likes adventure and trouble and is trying to find a way to pay his bills and not get himself killed; wise and noble Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness, whose very classic and iconic presence somehow lifts this movie from space comic to space drama); strong and spirited Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) who finds herself in just a spot of trouble for helping to lead a rebellion against the evil Empire. (Trash compactors, anyone?)

And those are just the human characters! We also root for the droids, C-3P0 and R2-D2 (Anthony Daniels and Kenny Baker) who drive so much of the plot of this first film; we chuckle over the brash and loyal wookie Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew), and we're alternately fascinated and repulsed by Darth Vader (David Prowse/voice of James Earl Jones). He's "more machine than man" now...."twisted and e-vil" and he dominates the screen every time he's on it. His shiny helmeted head, flowing cape, and labored breathing make him one of the best (and scariest) movie villains ever. I still think his entrance is one of my favorite movie entrances ever, even if I now think the explosions around the door as he strides through it look a bit like garden variety fireworks.

Lucas may not have had much money in those days, but he didn't let his limits stop him from imagining a fun and creative story, one that tapped all sorts of "stock responses" in us about rooting for the underdog and seeing good triumph over evil. In fact, next to the terrific casting, I think that's what strikes me most about this movie. Creative limits actually made Lucas a better filmmaker then than he is now, because the limits both challenged him to be creative without many resources at his disposal, and kept his focus on the main thing...the story, not the pretty frills that surrounded it. At least that's my story and I'm sticking to it!

In the end, it's just a thrill to step back into this particular movie world and always will be. From the opening notes of John William's breathtaking score to the opening scenes with the droids to the final run on the Death-Star (and the hokey but sweet ceremonial ending that makes you think of the Wizard of Oz and Narnia and every other fairy-tale you've ever seen, even as you smile to realize that Lucas decided to wrap the thing up as neatly as he could because he had no clue that he'd ever be able to make a sequel...) it's just a great ride. A wonderful, funny, exciting ride that puts you into hyperdrive. If you've seen it a dozen times, see it and enjoy it again. If you've never seen it (and I suppose there must be some folks who haven't) try it. You might be pleasantly surprised by just how contemporary and old-fashioned this little blockbuster movie feels.

~befus, 2008