Star Wars

STAR WARS, Special Edition (20th Century Fox)
Director: George Lucas
Producer: Gary Kurtz
Music: John Williams
Screenwriter: George Lucas
Cast: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Alec Guinness, Peter Cushing

QUICK REVIEW:

The Force is back -- big time! I forgot how much fun this film was on the big screen. It's not just another science fiction movie with improved special effects (though it's that too). It's a well-paced, charmingly acted retelling of the classic myth of the battle between good and evil, with the future of the human race hanging in the balance. It resonates so strongly 20 years ago because we were a country (and, vicariously, a world) with a weakened sense of self-esteem following Viet Nam and Watergate. It resonates now because we still don't feel good about ourselves with our violent and O.J.-divided society. Harrison Ford still looks like a leading man that will last. Carrie Fisher still wins us over in spite of that hair. And Mark Hamill really deserves a better career than he's gotten. It's not just for kids, and my favorite of the bunch (Episode Five) is coming shortly. Meanwhile, may the nostalgia be with you!

Rating (on a four-star scale):

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Interview with George Lucas.
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