I recently rewatched the original trilogy of Star Wars. I can’t exactly say how many times I have seen these movies. I know this won’t be my last.
When I think about these movies, it is difficult for me to separate my nostalgia for the movies from their quality. I was 9 years old when the first one came out and 15 when the last one came out. Those were formative years for me.
In fact, until recently I still thought of Episode IV as “Star Wars” rather than “A New Hope.” To me that movie was Star Wars. It was a satisfying movie by itself, even if there has been no sequels (or prequels).
But obviously these movies were successful, not just commercially, but culturally as well. Many movies and now TV series have spun off. Plus novels and comic books. And don’t get me started on action figures and other toys.
These movies are classic stories about good and evil. They are a reminder that there are things that objectively right and wrong. There is also the danger of moving from one to another.
They are also stories of hope. There is an experience of darkness and oppression but there are those who refuse to give up. Many give their lives, whether elderly Jedi knights or nameless X-Wing pilots, out of the hope that something better is possible. Luke’s hope in turning his father back to goodness is just one example.
Rewatching these movies, they stand up in many ways. The stories and acting are excellent. However, the special effects are somewhat dated, especially compared to the more recent movies. Still it was amazing what they could do without CGI.
In terms of rating the three movies, I would say the Empire Strikes is best. It is followed by A New Hope and Return of the Jedi. But they are all pretty close and none of them is really bad. In fact this trilogy is probably one of the most consistent in quality of any movie trilogy.
