Star Wars: 10 Best Ever Uses Of The Force

7. Obi-Wan Joins The Force - A New Hope

There’s a certain section of Star Wars fans who’ll argue that the saga’s original lightsaber battle, between Obi-Wan and Vader on the first Death Star, is a tame, plodding affair. While it certainly isn’t one of the massively choreographed, scenery-changing pieces of relentless action that the prequel trilogy is famed for, it IS a prime occasion for Obi-Wan to give his wayward pupil (and the audience) one last lesson in the Force. Since when was Star Wars all about waving lightsabers around anyway?!

Vader, of course, thinks of the Force merely as something to wield, a source of power; his aim is simply to kill Obi-Wan and rid the galaxy of him forever. Obi-Wan knows this and goads him with the memorable line “Strike me down and I shall become more powerful than you can possibly imagine.” We soon learn it’s not an empty boast: with a rather smug look, Obi-Wan joins the Force just as Vader is about to strike him down, robbing him of the moment. Obi-Wan, meanwhile, is still able to communicate with Luke and guide him on his way.

The scene serves as a perfect illustration of why letting go (something Vader always sucked at) is the more powerful alternative to trying to hold on. Man, is that deep.