Star Wars

Yeah this film ages like fine wine. It just gets better with every viewing. This time around I saw it on my uncle's projector in 4K with the family and I kid you not this was the experience that came the closest to what it had to feel like watching in it at the cinema in 1977. Of course, everyone there did watch the film before at some point in their lifes, except for my mom who had only seen Empire with my dad in the 80s. My uncle was reminded of his youth (conveniently because Star Wars came out in March of 1979 in Poland, the gap between the original and Empire was much shorter cause it came out bearly a year later being May of 1980). My sister was surprised how well it aged and it didn't matter that it was almost 50 years old by now. My aunt said in a similar matter that it aged very well and she was watching it on the edge of her seat all those years later. My dad said he enjoyed the film but praised the score by John Williams as the main highilght. The only one who wasn't impressed was my mom. She didn't hate it but wasn't a fan of it either. She loves old films but definitely prefer crime films and thrillers over science fiction, fantasy or action films (of course technically Star Wars qualifies as science-fantasy). Last time I watched it in full was it was the de-specialized version two years ago on Star Wars day. This time around we had to use Disney+ so I had to explain certain 1997-2004 CGI monstrosities and why they are there. Look, I've read Lucas biography I know how he felt the original version was somehow unfinished and incomplete but simply judging it as the alterations to the original film they bring nothing to the table. They don't make the world more lived in as they just took me out of the film. They're 100% unecessary and removable and I find it frustrating how Disney despite breaking most of Lucas wishes on the direction he wanted to take the franchise in won't release the original version. Like that wouldn't be problem if both versions were widely available and you could choose between the two. I did forget how actually funny this film can be. There's ton of dry comments, ironic remarks or funny scenarios that had me and others chuckling quite a bit. It's perfectly paced too. There isn't a scene that feels wasted or one that should have been cut in the editing room. Probably thanks to Marcia Lucas - the editor of the film and George Lucas first wife. It can get shockingly moving too not only with the aftermath of Ben's passing but even more so with the sunset scene all thanks to the genius of John Williams as a music composer. If that scene on Tatooine, without a single line of dialogue said, somehow isn't profoundly moving I don't know what is. Would it ever be an overstatement to say that this is one of the most iconic films ever made? I don't think so. Especially when it comes to the imagery of the film. Entrance of Darth Vader, Leia sending the plans to R2D2, the droids on the dessert, cantina bar, the look of a lightsaber, Stormtroopers and the Death Star itself. Even if you haven't seen the film you most likely do know how R2D2 or Darth Vader look like. Star Wars not only had an influence on cinema and pop culture it had an influence on our culture as well and what films are made today. For better or for worse, most of the big tentpole films you go out to see nowadays wouldn't exist if it weren't thanks to this little film. It definitely unwillingly laid the ground work of for the blockbuster formula especially when it comes to the pace of action scenes. What's funny is that Star Wars, especially when it comes to the action setpieces and fun characters, overshadows most of the ones that have come out after it. Nowdays most films tend to overshadow one or the other and can't combine the two like this one does. I'm also pleased with how straight forward yet effective the narrative is. Not only is great considering how overwhelming the world building could have been with a complex plot. You always know what the goal and stakes are so you want all the more for our main heroes and the scipt gives them a decent amount of obstacles to overcome (and even more so in the sequel). The hero's journey works surprisingly well, creating basically a modern fable. Of course the legacy of it lead to the existance of prequels, which I'm not a big fan of but I must say they do give you some context within the story like Vader's and Obi Wan's duel feels more powerful or when they mention the extinction of the Jedi. I just wish not to imagine an angsty teenager under this mask because he's way more menacing just within the context of this film. I'm glad even when it's titled "Episode IV" it works just as well, if not more, as a stand alone film. Regardless, there'a a sense of excitement and just a feel of embarking on a adventure that is simply unique to how this film portrays it. The only ones that come close to it in my book are Indiana Jones and Lord of the Rings. I don't think anyone can recapture the magic of the original Star Wars but I wish there was at least some of the excitement that is on display here with the new projects from the series. There's a ton more to appreciate whether it's the production desgin or the charming performances but I'll think I'll end it here. This a film that I hold close to my heart and could watch literally anytime. It lead to my interest in film as a whole, deep love for Star Wars since I was a kid, couple of friendships and a ton of merchandise. It wasn't the first Star Wars film I had seen but it was the one that made me fall in love with the series. Heck, I even read the novelisation of it a couple years back that was released a year prior to the original release on demand of George Lucas. They could have stopped here since but I'm glad they did not as it lead us to one of the best sequels in the history of film that I rewatched right after this one but more on that later.