Star Wars Marathon: Part 4

After a quick smoke I was back in the theatre and ready for the originals. Well almost ready. I really wanted to eat as I was starving now. I decided to watch the opening crawl and scene and then run out to grab food. For two reasons: 1) I have seen this film so many times I wouldn't really be missing much and 2) I wanted to see if this was the special edition or the original version. I would know right away; right away from the opening crawl.

So the lights go down within seconds of me being back and the Fox logo comes up. Then the words Star Wars fill the screen. Next I am slightly disappointed as the crawl says Star Wars Episode iV: A New Hope meaning it is the special edition. How I would love to see the original version on the big screen.

After Leah gives R2 the message and he escapes with 3PO I run and get food and am back in a jiffy. Luke has purchased the droids, they have run off and he has found Ben Kenobi. Maybe it wan't such a jiffy.

For the next hour and a half I have a blast. This movie is great. Fun, action packed, a young Harrison Ford, Alec Guinness, Darth Vader voiced by James Ear Jones, explosions, fun times from start to finish.

And this is coming form me. The guy who thought this movie was somewhat boring and overlong. The guy who thought it was the worst of the original three. It still has problems and I still think it is an hour long story told over two hours. I still think the editing is a little choppy (for matching shots). I still think the acting is weak from most of the cast. But it doesn't matter in the end. None of it matters because in the end the world that Lucas creates and the characters that in inhabit are so engaging that you are drawn into the world and forget everything else.

Now the special edition version of this film, from what I of the original, is pretty close to said original. There are some overly done CGI scenes, there is unneeded added scenes and of course Han didn't have to shoot first but otherwise it still feels like the Star Wars I and many grew up with. A lot of CGI was added and feels out of place for a 1977 movie and all these touches drop the film down one notch (from 88 to 87).

So there you have it. I surprised myself by liking this film so much this time out. I always thought it was slight but fun entertainment (at least the last half). Now I think it's much better than that. Again, maybe it was the atmosphere of the marathon and the anticipation of Episode Vii playing in a few short hours but this is where I stand on the matter and until I rewatch it this is what I believe.

So the film ends on a high note and the credits begin. I feel as this time I will miss the opening of Empire as the credits to these older films are much shorter so these breaks between movies will be much shorter and I just made it before. So I'm up and outta there before you can say 'Having fun?' and I'm heading for the outdoors. I hope I make it in time...

Production Design: 9 out of 10
Cinematography: 9 out of 10
Re-playability: 9 out of 10
Originality: 9 out of 10
Costumes: 10 out of 10
Directing: 8 out of 10
Editing: 8 out of 10
Acting: 7 out of 10
Music: 10 out of 10
Script: 8 out of 10

87/100