Star Wars: A New Hope

Our rating: 4 out of 5

Rated: PG

reviewed by Shannon H.

This film started it all; it kicked off the entire Star Wars franchise, spawning two sequels and three prequels. It has pervaded pop culture up to the point where fans quote lines from the show and dress up as stormtroopers at comic conventions. Although this was the first film to come out, it’s technically known as “Episode IV.”
 
After the last of the Jedi Knights have been wiped out, the Empire takes complete control of the galaxy. Stormtroopers are everywhere, guarding checkpoints and battle stations. This brings about a rebel faction to infiltrate the Empire’s intelligence and steal the plans for the Empire’s biggest weapon: the Death Star. Immediately, Darth Vader (voiced by James Earl Jones and acted by David Prowse) invades a rebel ship and kidnaps Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) in hopes of getting the secret plans. While Darth Vader and his army were looking for the plans, droids C-P30 (Anthony Daniels) and R2D2 (Kenny Baker) escape and land on a planet called Tatooine. They are found and sold to a trader whose nephew, Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) decides to fix them up. 
 
Luke and the droids unexpectedly meet Obi Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness), an ex-Jedi Knight. R2D2 presents a holographic display of Princess Leia in trouble (which reveals the secret plans to the Death Star, hidden in R2D2'S memory), so they hire a pilot, Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and his Wookiee co-pilot, Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew) to fly to Alderaan, Princess Leia’s home planet. After finding that the planet had been destroyed by the Empire, they fly to the Empire’s huge ship to rescue Princess Leia in order to help them destroy the Death Star.
 
The film is rated PG for violence and mild language. There are very few profanities scattered around the dialogue. There’s no sex or nudity, not even implied. Violence mostly involves things being blown up and people shooting lasers at one another. There’s one scene where a man slices off another man’s arm with a light saber (we see the man’s severed arm on the floor). Other than that, there is nothing graphic. There are, however, some dizzying camera angles in some of the battle scenes. Star Wars does not reference or take shots at the Christian faith. However, there is a pervading spiritual theme in the movie called “The Force” that gives Jedi Knights strength. Luke Skywalker occasionally hears Obi Wan Kenobi’s voice, saying “The Force” will be with him. This is the closest thing to a higher power in the franchise. While not exactly Christian per se, “The Force” is pretty much on target with God as Christians see Him. “The Force” is not preached as gospel and those who are concerned should realize that it’s just a movie.
 
I really wanted to like this film, but maybe I expected too much out of this particular “episode.” I don’t hate it but I don’t like it that much either. Although the special effects appear primitive to viewers like myself, they were the CGI of the 1970s, which I won’t criticize. What I will criticize is the dialogue; it’s campy and lacks depth. Some of the fight scenes appeared to be amateurish and at times laughable. There really isn’t any character development, either; even the character of Luke Skywalker appears one dimensional. The movie reminded me of the campy Mel Brooks’ film Spaceballs (which is a Star Wars parody).

Star Wars does have a message about good triumphing over evil and believing in yourself, which are both admirable. Another good thing about it is Harrison Ford’s performance as Han Solo. I disliked his character at first but grew to appreciate him later on. While it may not appeal to today’s audiences that are used to CGI and modern computer graphics, this movie is great for those interested in slightly older science fiction films.