Editor’s Note: The year is 2015. As the new “Star Wars” film, aptly titled “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” approaches, it is in our best interest to ensure the editor of Weekend has seen all of the films that have become canon in the world we live in. Greg Gottfried is taking it upon himself to watch the hexalogy so we no longer live in a galaxy where the editor of the film and television section at the Indiana Daily Student is oblivious to what’s happening around him. He will be watching in order of release date, 4-5-6-1-2-3, and will post a new review once a week.
Grade: B
Let’s start with a definitive fact.
“Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope” is a good movie.
I knew the general gist of the plot going into the film, due to “Spaceballs” and “Family Guy” making references throughout their respective plots, but I was still impressed by the mechanics and all of the thought that went into it. The action sequences were entertaining and sprawling, even though the film was created in 1977.
In fact, the movie’s simplicity in fighting and battle sequences was a pleasant break from the quick cuts and shaky-cam that have become so prevalent in modern cinema. A quick question: What happened to the stormtroopers’ aim? These minions of the Empire were shooting like Steph Curry in the opening sequence and hitting everything in sight, yet once a protagonist came along every shot was off by miles, as if Nick Young were taking a last second full-court heave.
The music, obviously, is phenomenal, and John Williams’ score does wonderfully even in the scenes that drag. It’s a safety net throughout the film and is always on point. For example, the scene where Luke Skywalker loses his aunt and uncle and stares off into the distance at the sun is a bit much for my taste; however, the haunting score allows you to dive into the scene and ignore Mark Hamill’s flair for the melodramatic. I was definitely taken aback by how much teenage angst Luke had throughout the film. I knew the overall plot points but didn’t know one of the heroes would probably listen to Fall Out Boy if he were living on Earth in the 21st century.
That brings me to a quick tangent. In the pivotal scene where Luke and Obi-Wan met Han Solo, Luke walked into the Mos Eisley Cantina, ordered a drink and neglected to pay the barkeep. Just rude. Who is the real villain: the guy with a mask and deep voice just trying to follow orders or the teen who won’t pay his bar tab? Just a thought.
Even with this egregious error, the film was fun to watch. It was undemanding and entertaining in a way that most blockbuster films today should mimic.
Only five more.
