ESSAY: STAR WARS (1977) by Hayden Riggs

The Science Fiction genre in film has been around practically as long as film itself. A Trip to the Moon, directed by George Meiles and released in 1902 is widely considered to be the first science fiction film. Inspired by the work of Jules Verne, it features a group of astronomers that construct a spacecraft and launch themselves via cannon to the moon. Shortly after their arrival, a reptilian race of moon men appear and conflict ensues. Fast forward over one hundred years later, and the genre has evolved into a sprawling collection of concepts and thematic elements. Science fiction cinema is most notably recognized for its use of advanced technology and out of this world ideas. If you see a cyborg, or a laser pistol, or a menacing alien monster in a movie trailer, your brain will automatically tell you that it is a sci fi movie. That’s because over the years, as the genre has been shaped and molded by film after film, we as an audience have come to subconsciously understand and accept these concepts and common themes. Films like Alien and The Thing have taught us to be weary of life from beyond the stars, but others like E.T. or Close Encounters of the Third Kind show us that they’re all not that bad. Blade Runner and The Matrix feature unique art styles that showcase versions of rundown, lived in worlds that make the viewer believe in this different reality. The science fiction genre has many classics, but I believe non are more iconic, more genre defining, then Star Wars: A New Hope.

Written and directed by George Lucas in 1977, Star Wars released to a huge success. Star Wars was not a guaranteed hit from the beginning, however. The film had a troubled production, including a delay due to the first winter rainfall in Tunisia in fifty years. Lucas shopped the script around production companies in Hollywood and received no offers, until Twentieth Century Fox took the bait. The script called for spectacular space battles and monumental architecture, which served as a greate challenge for the production team. Visual effects at the time were practically unheard of, so George founded Industrial Light and Magic (ILM) to create dazzling effects from scratch. The company had a troubling time getting things started, reportedly only producing four unusable shots and spending half their budget over a year of production. The film suffered many setbacks, but determination and hard work prevailed. Star Wars released in the Summer of 1977.

A large port of Star Wars’ success can be attributed to the artwork and design that went into the film. George Lucas and his team reimagined the way people saw science fiction. Instead of sleek chrome and smooth curves, this universe is rugged and gritty. Starships had the appearance of being old and experienced, with the model makers paying attention to every detail. Astromechs like R2-D2 were in the same condition you would find machinery on a construction site. The universe George had created not only looked amazing, but it felt real. The audience had a newfound experience when they watched Star Wars, and the bar had been set for immersion into a film.

If you have seen Star Wars, and Lord of the Rings, and Harry Potter, you may have noticed they share a few similarities. A young hero, living a normal life, receives a call of adventure. They initially reject this opportunity, but upon accepting they are thrust into a strange new world full of wonder and fear. Along their path, they will experience both friend and foe, love and betrayal. Obstacles in their path will increase in difficulty, until a point where all hope seems lost. The hero will overcome a seemingly impossible task, and come out the other side a changed person. Sound familiar? That’s because it is the monomyth, the hero with a thousand faces, or the hero’s journey. Joseph Campbell, a celebrated writer and professor, published The Hero with a Thousand Faces. The book highlights the universal patterns that stories about heroes share across cultures and time periods. George Lucas was an avid reader of Campbell’s work while writing Star Wars, and recognized the need for his story to contain these common traits. In doing so, he created a timeless masterpiece that has inspired many other films.

The film starts off with a literal bang, as a rebel freighter and laser bolts fly across the screen while being pursued by an imperial star destroyer. Princess Leia records a plea for help, uttering those famous words; “Help me Obi Wan Kenobi, you’re my only hope.” Her message to an old ally serves as the catalyst for the rest of the film, and is one of the most recognized quotes from American cinema. Star Wars explores what it means to be a hero, and portrays the classic fight of good versus evil. Luke is the person everyone aspires to be, kind and understanding, yet intelligent and formidable. His boyish charm and vulnerable nature resonate with audiences, he is the epitome of a “good guy.” On the other hand, Darth Vader and the Empire serve as the perfect villains. An unquenchable thirst for power, accompanied with questionable morals and tyrannical political practices. Star Wars sets the stage for the epic showdown, a billion years in the making.

Over forty years after the release of Star Wars, and the franchise has become the largest IP in the world. Nine films in the original saga, along with two spin off features, multiple television projects, and more in the making, George Lucas’ vision has become something bigger than he could've ever imagined. May the force be with us all.