Despite its 'Episode IV' appendage, this, A New Hope (the subtitle of which was added for a theatrical re-release in 1981), remains the original Star Wars movie, a seismic pop-culture bomb which altered the face of cinema forever; a film which, along with Jaws, helped usher in a new era of blockbuster-based film making (both have been cited as key influences in the shift from the experimental '70s to the more action-packed '80s). Rewatching the film for the first time since the prequels were released - and watching them on the back of a marathon of said prequels (the write-ups of which can be found here, here, and here) - A New Hope proves itself to be a flawed classic, not quite a masterpiece but still an influential, innovative, ultimately iconic movie. Theres no way to accurately gauge the excitement of the films initial release without having been there, but its still easy to understand why it existed, and revisiting the film in hindsight of the world-building of the prequels only serves to help one appreciate Star Wars - both in terms of this singular film and the franchise as a whole - even more. Yes, A New Hope has its problems, and while its fair to say that it probably isnt as truly masterful as some of its '70s counterparts, it remains that it eclipses all of the competition in terms of legacy and appeal. This is the film which started an empire, and heres thirteen things you learn rewatching it for the first time since you were a teenager.
13. The First Orchestral Blast Is Spine Tingling
Like George Harrisons opening chord to A Hard Days Night, John Williams opening orchestral blast to his Star Wars theme tune is one of the most recognisable music cues of all time; a perfect sonic introduction for what will follow. The most iconic film score ever composed (James Bond is the only other real contender), Williams music, which serves as both the main title music and as Luke Skywalkers leitmotif, is Big in every sense of the word, aided by the majestic brass of the London Symphony Orchestra to foreshadow A New Hopes themes of heroism and bravery in a militaristic world. Its those opening trumpets that really set that spine tingle in motion, though, their blare a beacon in the star-littered night of A New Hopes opening crawl. This stab in the dark has opened every Star Wars film since the original, but its here that it is most effective, leaving one to wonder just how much greater that blast mightve sounded when it was heard for the very first time.