George Lucas' legendary saga Star Wars is simply unrivalled in the world of cinema. What started as an incredibly well-realised piece of fantasy adventure has become an ever-expanding odyssey, delving into animation, comic books, video games and satire, while continuing to be embraced and enjoyed by millions. Indeed, across the globe, there can only be a very small few who remain unaware of Star Wars; who would not recognise the words "wookie", "lightsabre" and "stormtrooper" or instantly identify the first few bars of the epic opening theme.
And, while Lucas may have come under scrutiny from fans in recent years, due to his bizarre lack of creative vision in his prequel saga, his constant tweaking of the original series and his unique ability to "sell out" at every opportunity, the incredible resonance of his initial masterwork must never be understated. The utterly enthralling experience felt by millions upon viewing Star Wars for the first time is one that is rarely replicated in the film world.
While viewed initially as a risky venture, unlikely to find success, looking back it's easy to see why Star Wars struck such a chord with audiences from its theatrical release and beyond. Lucas' deep space epic just seemed to have it all - outlandish characters, roguish heroes, princesses, robots, epic chases, thrilling battles, stunning set pieces, great music, a mature yet comprehensible plot, lots of humour and a dark edge. Kids at the time of its release were captivated and, over the decades, the saga has lost none of its power as those big kids continue to introduce the world of Star Wars to the next generation.
While the first installment, A New Hope, planted the seeds of obsession amongst it audience by introducing the likes of Han Solo, Darth Vader and Obi Wan Kenobi, it was The Empire Strikes Back that truly cemented Lucas' creation in Hollywood legend. The introduction of Frank Oz's backwards-speaking oracle Yoda; Darth Vader's jaw-dropping revelation; Han and Leia's witty romatic back-and-forths and Luke's nightmarish encounter with his worst fears made for cinema magic. And while Return Of The Jedi may widely be viewed as a weaker installment to the series (hello Ewoks), it undeniably contained some fantastic sequences - the battle over the Sarlaac pit; the conflict of Vader as the Emperor attacks his son; the final wooing of Leia by Han and the ghostly silhouettes of Obi Wan, Yoda and Anakin smiling serenely at our heroes; to name but a few.
And despite Lucas' ceaseless wrong-footing ever since, his original saga has proved to be untouchable. While clownish gungans, deaths by broken heart, wooden child actors and CGI Yodas have all inflicted wounds to many a Star Wars fan, they have done nothing to sully the overall power of the incredible first trilogy. And long may its legacy continue.
In the words of Obi Wan: "May the force be with you. Always."
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