Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Directors C

  
  Star Wars is the orginal epic that matured science fiction. George Lucas has created an opera set in space, a drama taking place on different worlds since then nothing hollywood has brought us has ever been the same.

• Alexander D

  
  There's a question I bet many are still pondering: why did STAR WARS lose to ANNIE HALL for Best Picture? This was the first time something so creative and inventive had been sparked, and even with AVATAR, THE TERMINATOR, HARRY POTTER, INCEPTION, E.T.--you name it!--science… More
  There's a question I bet many are still pondering: why did STAR WARS lose to ANNIE HALL for Best Picture? This was the first time something so creative and inventive had been sparked, and even with AVATAR, THE TERMINATOR, HARRY POTTER, INCEPTION, E.T.--you name it!--science fiction and fantasy have never gotten so spectacular since the near-35 years since this was released. For those who have never seen the original STAR WARS at least once, let me make it clear that I pity you. More than that, I'd like to go all Darth Vader on you--forget that, because you probably don't even know what I'm talking about--and I have spent every day of my life since I first saw this coming up with four-letter words especially for you. (You know who you are, people, and you are wasting seconds of your life missing out.) The legacy STAR WARS created is phenomenal. Sixteen years after two sequels, director and creator George Lucas decided to construct a prequel trilogy that leads up directly to where this film begins. There has also been the terrible: some idiot decided to make up a story between the second and third films of the prequel trilogy and make it into an two animated spin-off TV series on Cartoon Network, with the second's awful, awful pilot episode released theatrically. This all proves that STAR WARS is a work of art and a must-see at that. For those who have not seen it, you are nothing more than blind.

• xGary X

  
  There are three Star Wars films. Star Wars is a magical rollercoaster ride of fun and excitement, populated with charming characters you actually CARE about, who have believable relationships in a fairytale universe of good and evil. Star Wars is my first movie love, and no matter how… More
  There are three Star Wars films. Star Wars is a magical rollercoaster ride of fun and excitement, populated with charming characters you actually CARE about, who have believable relationships in a fairytale universe of good and evil. Star Wars is my first movie love, and no matter how many times I see it (surely a dozen by now) I am still transformed into an eight year old boy for it's two hour duration. Star Wars is NOT a bloated, computer generated toy commercial vomited onto the screen by a beardy old fat bloke's ego. The "updated" version actually points to where the prequels were going to go so horribly wrong. The added fancy CG is distracting and unnecessary, and Lucas manages to neuter Han Solo nearly as soon as he appears by making a couple of amendments that completely miss the point of his character and appeal. Adding insult to injury, he managed to turn a menacing and ruthless underworld figure into a cartoon muppet who does nothing but repeat the lines of one of his minions from the previous scene. Do yourselves a favour and watch the theatrical version. THREE I tells ya!

• Justin Y

  
  George Lucas takes science fiction to a whole 'nother level in <i>Star Wars: A New Hope</i>.<p>Story goes a long way and this film has got a good one. The plot moves and there always seems to be something essential happening for the entire 2 hours of screen… More
  George Lucas takes science fiction to a whole 'nother level in <i>Star Wars: A New Hope</i>.<p>Story goes a long way and this film has got a good one. The plot moves and there always seems to be something essential happening for the entire 2 hours of screen time. It doesn't hurt that the light versus dark concept, wrapped in this science fiction universe, is fantastically done.</p><p>The visual effects play a huge part in this film's success. From the colors of the laser blasts to the design of the ships and settings, there are many components to take in with the eyes. The sound effects are also a nice compliment to the visuals. This picture wouldn't be the same without any of it.</p><p>The trio of Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, and the lovely Carrie Fisher provide a solid base to surround with supporting characters. The voice work of Anthony Daniels and James Earl Jones are just as memorable as the characters they voice.</p><p><i>Star Wars: A New Hope</i> has got all the makings of a great science fiction action adventure and it delivers. "May the force be with you."</p>

• Christopher H

  
  A timeless masterpiece. Filled to the brim with great characters, great dialogue, great action, and a memorable music score. My favorite characters are C3PO, R2D2, Obi Wan Kenobi, Han Solo, and Darth Vader. Star Wars offers something for everybody, both young and old. The Death… More
  A timeless masterpiece. Filled to the brim with great characters, great dialogue, great action, and a memorable music score. My favorite characters are C3PO, R2D2, Obi Wan Kenobi, Han Solo, and Darth Vader. Star Wars offers something for everybody, both young and old. The Death Star battle on Yavin 5 is one of the greatest battles in cinematic history. The fact that all the visuals are done with models and no CGI makes them all the more impressive. I always find models blowing up more exciting than a CG explosions. The people who worked on the visuals effects in the original Star Wars trilogy should each get medals. There is a reason this film continues to be referenced to this day. Star Wars is a genuinely exciting film that beautifully combines action, sci-fi, emotional resonance, and visual spectacle.

• Melvin W

  
  Darth Vader: This will be a day long remembered. It has seen the end of Kenobi, it will soon see the end of the Rebellion.  "A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away..." Easily the most influential and referenced series of all time. I believe that we don't go 24… More
  Darth Vader: This will be a day long remembered. It has seen the end of Kenobi, it will soon see the end of the Rebellion.  "A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away..." Easily the most influential and referenced series of all time. I believe that we don't go 24 hours without either hearing a reference to Star Wars or seeing something from Star Wars. This franchise is everywhere. Be it on tv, in music or just the geeks who have adopted these movies as their philosophy. The affect that Star Wars had on pop-culture is unmatched. Before someone even sees any of these films, they already know several things about them, such as the characters, some of the lines and a few of the situations.  To be honest I put off watching this series for a long time, believing the stereotypes that anyone who loves these films are mega nerds. But that just isn't true. There is no way you can watch A New Hope and honestly say it wasn't one of the coolest and most fun films you have ever seen. There really isn't a reason to go into plot details for this one, because even if you are in the small percentage of people who haven't seen this movie, odds are you still know what is going on. I will say that the movie pretty just grabs viewers with the first action sequence. After reading the words floating up your screen and seeing Darth Vader take Leia, there is no way you aren't going to be glued to your seat for the next two hours.  The characters of the Star Wars franchise are just genius. There's the protagonist, Luke Skywalker, who is sick of living at home and just wants to get away from it. He doesn't know who his father is or what he did. Obi-Wan Kenobi then mentors Luke Skywalker in the ways of the force. They run around with two droids. C3PO and R2D2. They get the help of a cocky and seemingly selfish pilot, Hans Solo, who runs around with an enormous creature naked Chewbaca. Then there is the damsel in distress, who they all set out to rescue, Princess Leia. Last but not least, there's one of the greatest villains ever in Darth Vader.  The movie doesn't skimp on anything. Everything is epic from the characters to the plot and from the special effects to the scenery. There's just so much detail put into a two hour run time. Watching A New Hope for the first time is a great experience. It's just insane how great it is. Luke: I want to come with you to Alderaan. There's nothing for me here now. I want to learn the ways of the Force and become a Jedi like my father. 

• Joel K

  
  Possibly the most fun anyone can hope to get out of two hours of film, although it can come off as a little cheesy, under-budget, and badly acted in some places. Ignoring these bad points (as I'm sure we all do when we watch it) Star Wars is a brilliant film. It's an… More
  Possibly the most fun anyone can hope to get out of two hours of film, although it can come off as a little cheesy, under-budget, and badly acted in some places. Ignoring these bad points (as I'm sure we all do when we watch it) Star Wars is a brilliant film. It's an exciting and vibrant space drama, where everything in it has been done before, but at the same time it feels very original. Harrison Ford and Alec Guinness both have decent turns as Hans Solo and Obi wan Kenobi (or maybe they just look good next to Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamil), and James Earl Jones makes the character Darth Vader into a bold and intimidating villain with his powerfully deep voice. The plot just sort of takes the characters from one spectacular action seen to another, but with this film Lucas created a compelling world and characters, things that would be expanded in future instalments.

• Lewis C

  
  Genuinely exciting, imaginative, and just fun to watch, the first Star Wars movie made set the universe for an enduring legacy that's only grown with time. And even better, it's a good movie. The practical 70's special effects look great, the music is fantastic, it… More
  Genuinely exciting, imaginative, and just fun to watch, the first Star Wars movie made set the universe for an enduring legacy that's only grown with time. And even better, it's a good movie. The practical 70's special effects look great, the music is fantastic, it introduces some of the most iconic characters in the history of entertainment and whether you're seeing it for the first time or the tenth, you're going to have a big grin on your face by the end.

• Shawn E

  
  A cult classic and a masterpiece. This movie is incredible to this day and especially for it's time. The story and and characters are superb. The action and effects are exciting. The music is unforgettable. This film is a film for the ages, a legendary sci fi, and one my… More
  A cult classic and a masterpiece. This movie is incredible to this day and especially for it's time. The story and and characters are superb. The action and effects are exciting. The music is unforgettable. This film is a film for the ages, a legendary sci fi, and one my favourite films from my childhood.

• Phil H

  
  Errr, what can I say? you all know this, its the greatest movie ever made, almost perfect, combined with the rest of the series its unbeatable. The first Star Wars film and the film that made cinematic history, it changed history and created film going for a new generation of viewers… More
  Errr, what can I say? you all know this, its the greatest movie ever made, almost perfect, combined with the rest of the series its unbeatable. The first Star Wars film and the film that made cinematic history, it changed history and created film going for a new generation of viewers and directors, this film is a landmark in human history, its that big. Even though its cheesy, hammy and very predictable its still probably the greatest film ever made, mainly due to its design and effects which STILL look good and better than modern films. This film was everybodies childhood for people now in their 20's onwards, I find it so hard to believe that kids nowadays probably dont play Star Wars.

• Colin M

  
  The Greatest Film of American History, "Star Wars" is our Modern Myth, as "The Iliad" was for the Greeks. Be forewarned, however, watch the original theatrical version only! The "Special Editions" ruin the legacy and greatness of the Original Star Wars… More
  The Greatest Film of American History, "Star Wars" is our Modern Myth, as "The Iliad" was for the Greeks. Be forewarned, however, watch the original theatrical version only! The "Special Editions" ruin the legacy and greatness of the Original Star Wars Film! Anyone should watch this, even those who loathe Sci-Fi or products of the culture of the 1970s.

• Matt G

  
  Still holds up almost 35 years later as the best SCI-FI picture ever made, and it's so true. It's even better on Blu-ray.

• Brad W

  
  What an epic tale of hope, friendship, and action. Its the tale of Luke Skywalker and his journey to become a Jedi, and is the beginng of one of the greatest stories ever told. Star Wars is the greatest Sci Fi series ever, and the film is the one that started it all. All the actors… More
  What an epic tale of hope, friendship, and action. Its the tale of Luke Skywalker and his journey to become a Jedi, and is the beginng of one of the greatest stories ever told. Star Wars is the greatest Sci Fi series ever, and the film is the one that started it all. All the actors were perfectly picked for this. The plot is amazing and fun. This is an amazing movie, and the second best in the series.

• Eric A

  
  Ground-breaking classic & my favorite franchise of all time.

• Adriel L

  
  It's an adventure of a lifetime. Magnificent film that encompasses depth with blockbuster action that will keep you riveted. It awes and inspires wonder. What more can be said? All the characters are believable, and coupled with a brilliant story, this is cult hit, one of a kind… More
  It's an adventure of a lifetime. Magnificent film that encompasses depth with blockbuster action that will keep you riveted. It awes and inspires wonder. What more can be said? All the characters are believable, and coupled with a brilliant story, this is cult hit, one of a kind movie that only comes once in a while. I remember seeing this movie when I was a little kid, and watching it again, with now a critical point of view, my judgement stands the same. I might say I'm biased, nostalgia is ever present, but what can I say, the movie itself doesn't feel old; so that can justify just how truly remarkable this film is. It's just a wonderful movie, there isn't much more to say.

• Sergio G

  
  A classic. The movie that change the story of making movies. The one which started all and make us so eager for more. Luke Skywalker, Obi Wan Kenobi, Han Solo, Princess Leia, R2D2 and C3PO togheter against the empire and "a guy" dressed in black named Darth Vader.

• Drake T

  
  The visuals are so ridiculously outdated, it's really hard for anyone born after the early 90's to enjoy this scifi "epic" without having their suspense of disbelief broken by all the terrible special effects. I mean even the "legendary" lightsaber… More
  The visuals are so ridiculously outdated, it's really hard for anyone born after the early 90's to enjoy this scifi "epic" without having their suspense of disbelief broken by all the terrible special effects. I mean even the "legendary" lightsaber battles were a joke. They might as well have given two kids sticks to whack at each other with and that probably would have been just as entertaining if not more. People often forget that movies are a 2 hour VISUAL medium, to deny that the original SW trilogy falls short in that regard is just plain ignorance! Don't get me wrong, the ideas are there and I guess that's where it counts. Everything about Lucas's universe started here but it didn't end here either. I won't deny the fact that these films spawned many things after that were far superior in sophistication and storytelling (the expanded universe novels) and that's where SW really shines for me.

• Tim S

  
  I've always grappled in my mind about which is the better film in the Star Wars trilogy: The Empire Strikes Back or the original Star Wars. After all, it's a very justified position to be in. Both are incredibly brilliant films in a series of space opera extravaganzas that… More
  I've always grappled in my mind about which is the better film in the Star Wars trilogy: The Empire Strikes Back or the original Star Wars. After all, it's a very justified position to be in. Both are incredibly brilliant films in a series of space opera extravaganzas that anyone might be hard-pressed to choose a favorite out of. However, after years of watching the films and seriously considering it, I would have to say that the original Star Wars is the true mark of greatness in my book - and my very favorite. I've yet to see this film in a theatre, and I have a feeling that I never will. I may see new versions of it with added or altered special effects and scenes or even in different formats such as 3-D *cough*, but the very first groundbreaking original (sans the Episode IV: A New Hope dubbing) will never be seen ever again in a wide release. It's not only a shame, it's a travesty, and leaves a serious burn mark in the film history tapestry. A lot of the value of these films are not just the story that speaks subliminally to audiences across the globe and time itself, but that they are truly a product of their time - particularly the original. At the end of a war with a country experiencing inner turmoil and self-doubt, audiences could go into a movie theatre and be thoroughly entertained for a couple hours like never before. Its creator, George Lucas, became one of the most popular names in the entertainment industry (not to mention among film fans, critics, and fellow filmmakers all over the world). No matter what type of new special effects techniques are invented to alter or change things and make these films look more modern (or more "complete" as Lucas puts it), it will never change their place in film history. For that reason alone they should be preserved "as is," not just for film geeks and fanboys, but for history and aesthetic's sake. New versions can still be released with new scenes added or new effects implemented, but ignoring the originally released masterpiece, which made its mark in 1977 and beyond, is the real TRUE crime thats been committed. Big budget filmmakers like Ridley Scott and Peter Jackson, who also tweek their own works on occasion, recognize the value a film "as is" has on its audience...and therefore, preserve their work. It's a pity Lucas doesn't follow the same principles (principles which, by the way, he used to subscribe to). But regardless of the politics surrounding these films, I will continue to hold onto my VHS tapes and Limited Edition DVD releases forever so that I may experience over and over again the films that I fell in love with and have an enormous amount of respect for. This way, I can keep my precious memories intact like an old photo album..."as is."

• Kase V

  
  An obvious classic, but the technical and editing problems (from '77) is one thing I just couldn't get my head around. I would literally rewind and laugh at how obvious the frame would skip every time someone turned on a light saber. None the less, A New Hope is a great film… More
  An obvious classic, but the technical and editing problems (from '77) is one thing I just couldn't get my head around. I would literally rewind and laugh at how obvious the frame would skip every time someone turned on a light saber. None the less, A New Hope is a great film that perfectly sets up an amazing franchise. It's a perfect starting point for the rest of the story. Every character is set up so strongly and believably, thanks to an amazing script. Can't wait to watch the rest of 'em.

• AJ V

  
  The best sci-fi film ever created, in my opinion. The story has everything you could want in the genre: action, adventure, romance, drama, and a bit of comedy too. I love this sci-fi classic, and if you haven't seen it you need to go rent it right away.

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