Greater than the sum of its parts (Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (Limited Edition, DVD))

Member Name: ben_83

Product:	Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (Limited Edition, DVD)
Date:	24/06/01 (23 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Universal, the 'Star Wars' world is thoroughly immersive and totally believable, Alec Guinness is excellent

Disadvantages: Mark Hamill and Harrison Ford are a little shaky, the script is corny in places

Well, what can a humble Dooyooer such as myself say about one of the most seminal and discussed science-fiction films ever that hasn't already been said? How about 'it's crap'? No, that would be a lie. How about 'it's great'? Less original but more truthful. I'll stick with that.

The evil Galactic Empire is trying to tighten its stranglehold on the galaxy by building the ultimate weapon - a spacestation with firepower capable of destroying a planet in one shot (known as the Death Star). The Rebel Alliance, struggling to bring down the Empire, manages to get hold of detailed plans of the Death Star but the ship transporting them under the guise of a diplomatic mission by Rebel sympathiser Princess Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher) is intercepted by the Empire. In her desperation, Leia stores the plans in an android, R2-D2 (Kenny Baker) and jettisons it along with camp protocol 'droid C-3PO (Anthony Daniels). The robots come into the possession of young Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) who takes R2-D2 to ex-Jedi (ancient warriors who utilised The Force - a power that encompasses all living things - and not necessarily brute force to fell their foes) Obi-Wan Kenobi (the late Alec Guinness) who decides the 'droid must be taken to Leia's father on a different planet. Mercenary pilot Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and his first mate Chewbacca the 7ft tall bear-like Wookie (Peter Mayhew) are employed to fly them there but when they reach their destination they find that the Death Star has already been used to horrendous effect.

'Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope' (to give it its full name) is a rare entity indeed in that has as much appeal to an eighty-year-old woman as it does to a nine-year-old boy. The story is universal: a classic good versus evil match-up which is full of action (God bless George Lucas for inventing the lightsaber) but also plenty of morality, a smidge of romance and even some comedy too.

U
nfortunately, there are bad things about 'Star Wars'. The acting is mixed. Alec Guinness, of course, is excellent as the sage old Jedi and Carrie Fisher is good but I'm not sure about Mark Hamill and I'm afraid to say Harrison Ford is downright wooden (sacrilege, I know). The script is, in the most part, perfectly acceptable but you find yourself cringing at the odd corny line and some of the comedy is a little weak.

At this point (if you haven't noticed the star rating I gave it that is) you may be thinking that I don't think much of 'Star Wars'. This couldn't be further from the truth. You see, this is a film that is far greater than the sum of its meagre parts and, after seeing it a few times, you will start to 'get' it and understand how excellent a film it actually is.

Prevail with it and 'Star Wars', and the next two episodes ('The Empire Strikes Back' and 'Return of The Jedi') will reward you handsomely. Give up after seeing it only once and you'll be left wondering what all the hype was about.

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