2. Episode IV: A New Hope
Star Wars gave birth to an entirely new type of movie. It is considered a landmark in technical innovation. It was also, along with Jaws, the catalyst for blockbuster cinema and a sign that New Hollywood was coming to an end. Seeing Star Wars for the first time as a young boy is always a memorable experience. It transcends description as you enter a world of unknowns only to be wowed by their captivating magic. Star Wars engages you immediately as Darth Vader's imperial starship pursues and captures Princess Leia's rebel cruiser and from there it never once lets up. In 1977, Star Wars was a unique film, but it still is today. It draws you in with its charm and classic storytelling - it's a simple story of good vs evil and rebellion against an oppressive ruler, but it is riveting throughout. It's a fairytale for the adolescent boy, but it is no less enjoyable after you've long left your teenage years behind. It's pure entertainment with the wholesome Luke Skywalker, the charming and witty Han Solo, noble Obi-Wan Kenobi leading you into 125 minutes of pure enjoyment. The main strength of A New Hope lies in its story and narrative. It's the most basic of storytelling, there's no David Lynch-esque quirks, it's just classic storytelling at its tightest as it's not a single frame over-run. George Lucas does everything perfectly in A New Hope that he got wrong in A Phantom Menace - the characters are interesting, it moves at a quick pace and it appeals to people of all ages without trying too hard. The climatic assault on the Death Star is a visual treat, the camerawork is exuberant and the emotion and tension builds as the battle increases in ferocity. A New Hope has the biggest heart of all the Star Wars film and the magic of the film transcends time.