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Star Wars

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Star Wars (1977)

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Reviews Counted:62

Fresh:58

Rotten:4

Average Rating:8.1/10

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

[See More Credits]

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Reviews for Star Wars

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21 - 40 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 >> >|
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Like many people from my generation, Star Wars is not just a favorite film, but an almost spiritual experience from childhood.

Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
02/04/03
Chris Gore
Chris Gore
Film Threat

It works, because it is now what it was then: a triumph of the imagination.

Full Review Source: Cincinnati Enquirer | comment Comment
10/15/02
Margaret A. McGurk
Margaret A. McGurk
Cincinnati Enquirer

I can't deny that this is one of the most important and influential movies ever made, and there is more fun stuff in this film than in most.

Full Review Source: Montreal Film Journal | comment 3 Comments
09/10/02
Kevin N. Laforest
Kevin N. Laforest
Montreal Film Journal

a lot of fun, but not a movie that particularly rewards repeated watchings... once every 20 years or so isn’t too often.

Full Review Source: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette | comment 1 Comment
07/29/02
Philip Martin
Philip Martin
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

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 film was a cultural turning point and continues to be.

Full Review Source: Film Scouts | comment Comment
04/17/02
Leslie Rigoulot
Leslie Rigoulot
Film Scouts

George Lucas, who wrote and directed this movie, was deeply influenced by Joseph Campbell's work on myths, and by his love for the great movie classics.

Full Review Source: Movie Mom at Yahoo! Movies | comment Comment
04/13/02
Nell Minow
Nell Minow
Movie Mom at Yahoo! Movies

Simplemente, y hablando de la cinta: The Force will be with you, always.

Full Review Source: Cinenganos | comment Comment
12/04/01
Alex Ramirez
Alex Ramirez
Cinenganos

Despite being over-hyped, over-marketed, and fairly flawed, Star Wars remains one of the most memorable and glorious fantasies ever made.

Full Review Source: BBC | comment Comment
08/01/01
BBC

a communal experience, best seen on the big screen with a large group of enthusiastic people

Full Review Source: Q Network Film Desk | comment Comment
02/27/01
James Kendrick
James Kendrick
Q Network Film Desk

The action is first rate!

Full Review Source: Boxoffice Magazine | comment Comment
01/01/00
Boxoffice Magazine

That '70s schmaltz is innocent and pure--and seemed better untainted by modernization.

Full Review Source: E! Online | comment Comment
01/01/00
E! Online

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
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

A thrilling experience!

Full Review Source: San Francisco Examiner | comment Comment
01/01/00
Bob Stephens
Bob Stephens
San Francisco Examiner

A classic American tale!

Full Review Source: Apollo Guide | comment Comment
01/01/00
Brian Webster
Brian Webster
Apollo Guide

The wild ride that helped change the face of modern moviegoing, and is every bit as entertaining today as it was 20 years ago.

Full Review Source: Deseret News, Salt Lake City | comment Comment
01/01/00
Chris Hicks
Chris Hicks
Deseret News, Salt Lake City

Star Wars remains a cinematic benchmark and a greater fantasy than its countless imitators of the past 20 years.

comment Comment
01/01/00
Christopher Brandon
Christopher Brandon
TNT's Rough Cut

It's easy to see why Star Wars held such an appeal to the kids and adults of the late 1970s.

Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
01/01/00
Christopher Null
Christopher Null
Filmcritic.com

[An] essential part of contemporary culture.

Full Review Source: rec.arts.movies.reviews | comment Comment
01/01/00
Dragan Antulov
Dragan Antulov
rec.arts.movies.reviews

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
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
 
 
21 - 40 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 >> >|
all

Latest News for Star Wars

November 15, 2009: Win Star Wars Prize Packs -- including the new Family Guy episode
Here's your chance to pick up new editions of the Original and Prequel 'Star Wars' trilogies, plus the forthcoming 'Family Guy' parody. More...

October 01, 2009: Star Wars: In Concert Takes the Stage Opens in new window
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July 24, 2009: Announcing Star Wars: In Concert Opens in new window
"Star Wars in Concert" begins its tour October 1, but you can get a sneak peek at what to expect now, thanks to the Force-powered multimedia extravaganza's brand new website. More...

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