Iconic moment in cinema, sadly surrounded by fluff.
Talked about as one of the greatest films of all time. I just don’t see it. Yeah there is some amusing cocksure banter between Hans and Leia, yeah the special effects are impressive for the time, yeah the moment on the bridge when [spoiler alert if you have been living in a coma for 30 years] Vadar tells Skywalker “I am your father” is as iconic a moment as you can get in cinema, but one of the best films of all time? Better than Casablanca? Rear Window? Sunset Boulevard? The Shining? Not a chance. Far too much actually annoys me. For instance, the battle when the Jedi tried to bring down the giant mechanic camels was prolonged, poorly paced and just portrayed the Jedi as complete twits. They got the first one down easily enough by using a cable and tying its feet together – but then decided to fanny around, get shot at and never repeat the successful methods of the first kill. WHY NOT USE THAT SAME SUCCESSFUL METHOD FOR ALL OF THEM? It would’ve been over in no time. But no, they had to try new things and get shot at and killed. And why does Luke, having cut the arm off the abominable snowman and rendered him fairly (h)armless (sorry) decide to run out into -50° temperatures instead of remaining in the relative safety of a cave? And why would anyone want promotion when Darth Vadar keeps killing his Generals? Much better to remain an anonymous Storm Trooper and hope to blend into the over-starched backgrounds of the ship’s interior design. A nostalgic movie that brings memories of childhood and youth? Sure. A Sci-Fi nerd’s wet dream? Sure. One of the greatest films of all time? Sorry, but a galaxy far far away.
***½
***½