Originally titled Star Wars, Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope is the very first Star Wars released in 1977 and the fourth entry in chronological order. Written & directed by George Lucas, the film stars Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Peter Cushing, and Alec Guinness. Princess Leia is captured and held hostage by the evil Imperial forces in their effort to take over the galactic Empire. Venturesome Luke Skywalker and dashing captain Han Solo team together with the loveable robot duo R2-D2 and C-3PO to rescue the beautiful princess and restore peace and justice in the Empire.

Star Wars has been a beloved franchise for me since I first saw The Phantom Menace as a kid. To be fair, watching the prequels as a kid lead me to the original trilogy, so I hope the new generation of viewers who saw the sequel trilogy will do the same thing. Over the last several years, I have pondered what my true favorite of the franchise is as I wasn’t sure if the one that started it all was a fair answer. After plenty of viewings of the entire franchise, I think it’s safe to settle the fact that the one that started it all is my all-time favorite of the franchise.

There’s a part of me that wishes I could teleport back to 1977 to see this in theaters, knowing that this was a true original and knowing that the prequels were not a thing at its time. I am aware of the different versions, and I am sure I have seen them as I recall seeing the original trilogy on VHS. Watching it today, it can be strange to see modern-day CGI in certain scenes. Personally, I would prefer the practical effects as this is one of my favorite aspects of the film. From the original story to the practical effects, there’s so much to love here.

While I don’t mind CGI today, there is an over-reliance on it in modern films. That’s why so many have been burnt by the MCU machine, but are feeling otherwise with the recent Thunderbolts* due to how grounded it is. For a sci-fi film, the film certainly show its age, but there is no denying the fact that it had a ton of talented individuals working on it to make it as authentic as possible. As I get older, the practical effects feel more alive than I think CGI ever could. After all, CGI should be used to enhance the film, not totally rely it. Here, the practical effects are simply amazing and highly commendable.

Mark Hamill has solely been defined as Luke Skywalker. Even when he has been in other projects with his voice as Joker giving him a defining role, he gave life to this character better than I think anyone else ever could. His boyish charm and wanting to do bigger things makes him a likable & relatable presence. Without Hamill, I don’t believe Star Wars would be what it is today.

Alongside him, Harrison Ford is highly confident as Han Solo who is also likable. What’s great about his character is that he’s not exactly relatable, but someone others have aspired to be. His hard edge clouds just how much of a decent person he truly is. Rounding out the main trio is Princess Leia played by Carrie Fisher who also brings this character to life with perfection. Honestly, without this trio, you also don’t have what the film is today. They make the film work as they offer different characteristics that can help reach a broader audience.

As for the smaller characters, I love how they have so many layers to them. Then again, it helps seeing what happens to them in the prequels. Alec Guinness is phenomenal as a character that I related to as a kid. You can see where his character has not lost his best traits even when the character has lost so much. He brings so much humanity & humor to the film. As for Darth Vader, I love how menacing his character is with the amount of time that is given to him. He is a terrifying force that has helped this franchise become what would be known as the Skywalker saga.

While there is plenty of action and other exciting moments throughout, I can’t get over how detailed the plot is. The plot may seem simple, but there are so many moving pieces that helps keep the plot going. The film takes the time to explain the lore and what’s going on without the exposition feeling forced. They set great examples as to how other films can explain things through natural dialogue and not through forced setup.

Overall, Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope is a flawless masterpiece that continues to set the tone for what was to come. Between its dialogue, action, characters, and effects, it doesn’t get much better than this in the genre. Nearly 50 years later, it still holds up.

VERDICT: 5/5 (Perfect)