16. Brilliant Double-Acts
Luke & Obi-Wan, Han & Chewy, R2D2 & C3P0, Luke & Leia, Leia & Han: A New Hope is built on duos - hence the concept of master and padawan that underpins the Jedi Order, and the same dynamic on the Dark Side. In A New Hope, George Lucas clearly revels in the dynamic created when two characters spar on screen, so most of the best sequences of dialogue are between two characters, particularly in the case of Han & Chewy and R2D2 and C3P0, which is ironic given that both duos have one character who is unable to speak in conventional terms. That set-up also allows for the easy charisma of the cast to shine, with the duos influencing how well each actor works and bouncing off one another - particularly in the case of Han and Leia, whose dynamic is a wonder to behold.
17. Bonkers Merchandise
It has been said that George Lucas is a sell-out. Ignoring for a minute the wider connotations of the term, I have to agree, based on how frivolously he allowed the Star Wars licence to be attached to inferior, or downright ridiculous merchandise. A lot of those bad decisions came well after A New Hope, but the seeds were sown from the outset, and any cursory search through the back-streets and byways of the internet will throw up any number of terrible officially licensed items (including a questionable C3P0 tape dispenser that looks extremely rude, but which may not be official). Behold this travesty, from more recent years, which is now an infamous example, and which inspires some seriously odd feelings every time I look at it...
Not only is it a Jar Jar Binks item, therefore innately inferior, it also seems to be suggesting that children should suck his tongue. Now I'm all for fun, but French kissing a gut-wrenchingly annoying alien is a step too far. Such is the enduring success and popularity of the film and its off-shoots that most of the trash is now considered ultimately collectible, even beyond the kitsch value - and that is no small feat, considering the potential that exists for poor extra-release marketing activity can have on the lasting reception of films.
18. It invented Harrison Ford
Even though he wasn't initially considered for the role, despite having worked with Lucas previously on American Graffiti, Star Wars and Han Solo made Harrison Ford, and launched him on the path to a career that would probably have been beyond his reach otherwise. So to A New Hope, we have to be thankful for Indiana Jones, Air Force One, and What Lies Beneath. And Six Days Seven Nights... wait a minute, damn you Star Wars!
19. Quote:
"These arent the droids youre looking for."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1rlThKe1qo
20. The Most Famous Blooper Ever Caught on Film
http://youtu.be/dBQaLuqwtl8