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Star Wars

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Star Wars (1977)

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Reviews Counted:17

Fresh:15

Rotten:2

Average Rating:7.4/10

Consensus: The action and special effects are first rate.

Runtime: 2 hrs 10 mins

Genre: Science-Fiction/Fantasy

US Box Office: $0

Synopsis: STAR WARS, George Lucas's stunning sci-fi masterpiece, is arguably one of the most inventive and entertaining films ever made, garnering generations of loyal fans who are forever imprinted with the... STAR WARS, George Lucas's stunning sci-fi masterpiece, is arguably one of the most inventive and entertaining films ever made, garnering generations of loyal fans who are forever imprinted with the memory of its characters and dialogue. As the adventure begins, Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), an impulsive but goodhearted young man who lives on the dusty planet of Tatooine with his aunt and uncle, longs for the exciting life of a Rebel soldier. The Rebels, led by the headstrong Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher), are fighting against the evil Empire, which has set about destroying planets inhabited by innocent citizens with the Death Star, a fearsome planetlike craft commanded by Grand Moff Tarkin (Peter Cushing) and the eternally frightful Darth Vader (David Prowse, with the voice of James Earl Jones). When Luke's aunt and uncle are murdered by the Empire's imperial stormtroopers and he mysteriously finds a distress message from Princess Leia in one of his androids, R2-D2 (Kenny Baker), he must set out to find Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness), a mysterious old hermit with incredible powers. On his journey, Luke is aided by the roguish, sarcastic mercenary Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and his towering furry sidekick Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew) as they run into a host of perilous situations while trying to rescue the princess--and the entire galaxy. Magnificently referencing everything from Akira Kurosawa's SEVEN SAMURAI and THE HIDDEN FORTRESS to THE WIZARD OF OZ to John Ford Westerns and Joseph Campbell philosophies, STAR WARS revolutionized the cinematic world with its epic storytelling and amazing special effects. In addition to film veterans Guinness and Cushing, the movie also features an unforgettable performance from the young Ford, who would, of course, go on to become one of the biggest stars of the silver screen. Even today, Lucas's astonishing film leaves viewers wanting to see it again and again. [More]

Starring: Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Alec Guinness

Starring: Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Alec Guinness, Anthony Daniels, Peter Cushing, Kenny Baker, Peter Mayhew, David Prowse, James Earl Jones, Phil Brown, Shelagh Fraser, Jack Purvis, Alex McCrindle, Eddie Byrne, Drewe Henley, Denis Lawson, Garrick Hagon, Jack Klaff, William Hootkins, Angus MacInnes, Jeremy Sinden, Graham Ashley, Don Henderson, Leslie Schofield, Richard LeParmentier

Director: George Lucas

Director: George Lucas
Screenwriter: George Lucas
Producer: Gary Kurtz
Composer: John Williams
Studio: 20th Century Fox

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Reviews for Star Wars

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1 - 8 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
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With its naive romanticism, its simple fable of youthful innocence triumphing over evil, its look back at classic narrative mythology, Star Wars is an exhilarating ride into cinematic fantasy, unlike anything that the cinema has made since.

Full Review Source: Urban Cinefile | comment Comment
01/01/00
Urban Cinefile Critics
Urban Cinefile Critics
Urban Cinefile
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A magnificent film. George Lucas set out to make the biggest possible adventure fantasy out of his memories of serials and older action epics, and he succeeded brilliantly.

Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
02/19/08
A.D. Murphy
A.D. Murphy
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

It is, all in all, hard to think of a place or an age group that would not respond to the enthusiastic inventiveness with which Lucas has enshrined his early loves.

Full Review Source: Los Angeles Times | comment Comment
07/09/02
Charles Champlin
Charles Champlin
Los Angeles Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

This is the phenomenon that saved 20th Century Fox.

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
01/01/00
Angie Errigo
Angie Errigo
Empire Magazine
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George Lucas has made the kind of sci-fi adventure movie you dream about finding!

Full Review Source: Washington Post | comment Comment
01/01/00
Gary Arnold
Gary Arnold
Washington Post
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A pop-culture landmark!

Full Review Source: USA Today | comment Comment
01/01/00
Mike Clark
Mike Clark
USA Today
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Lucas fills his screen with loving touches.

Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times | comment Comment
01/01/00
Roger Ebert
Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
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It's fun and funny.

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
01/01/00
Vincent Canby
Vincent Canby
New York Times
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1 - 8 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
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