Live post: What it's like to watch Star Wars for the first time

[Princess Jes]

Soooo... Is Yoda not in the original movie?

 

[Princess Jes]

I feel like there is so much to this story, and the first movie isn't really putting much out there so far?
It's 121 minutes long and I'm 105-110 minutes in

 

[Princess Jes]

So, is Obi wan talking from the grave or what? Is Luke just making up his voice saying stuff in his head?

 

[Princess Jes]

So many inappropriate jokes to make in this flying/fight scene

 

[Princess Jes]

Iconoc quote time: "the force is strong with this one"

 

[Princess Jes]

Bye bye Death Star

 

[Princess Jes]

Ok it's over.

I feel like this movie was a bit anti-climatic.
What really happens?
I assume old mate Georgie made this movie with the intentions of making the trilogy and this is just part of the story (obviously it is but I don't know how else to express what I mean)
It doesn't seem like such an iconic movie in and of itself?

 

[SorcererHeidi]

Since I haven't seen anything but the original, which I don't remember, but I know I didn't like (sorry ya'll, got to tell the truth here!), I won't bother reading or responding to your posts, but I did want to say I hope you enjoyed your marathon!

 

[lesliekatya]

It helps to have had a crush on young Harrison Ford. Seriously though, if it's not part of your childhood, or not the type of movie you would like anyway, it might just not be for you. I don't remember seeing it as a kid, but remember being absolutely thrilled by it when it was on tv when I was a teenager. But I have the movie taste of a 12 year old fanboy. I just love that kind of thing, always have.

 

[jcb]

Anyone watching Star Wars IV (the first movie) for the first time in 2015/2016 can't have the perspective we had watching it for the first time in 1977. I remember reading the serialization of the movie (in the newspaper, of all things) before seeing the movie and thinking the plot was utterly ridiculous and wondering how the movie was so popular. Then I saw the movie and realized the appeal was more about the special effects, the personalities (we all had a crush on or wanted to be Harrison Ford), than it was about the plot. The plot itself is simplistically hokey. The later movies (even the next one) aren't entirely consistent with it. But who cares? Star Wars was like nothing we had ever seen before. The movies since the first Star Wars have dulled our appreciation for the fact that Lucas came up with a completely new way of making the action movie. I try to remember that when I watch Star Wars I to III.

In 1977, the idea of sequels (or prequels) was pretty foreign. While I suspect there were some, I can't think of a single movie sequel of any real popularity in existence at the time. I'm sure Lucas wanted to do a sequel (eight, in fact) but the practice was far from being the norm at the time.

 

[Princess Jes]

Since I haven't seen anything but the original, which I don't remember, but I know I didn't like (sorry ya'll, got to tell the truth here!), I won't bother reading or responding to your posts, but I did want to say I hope you enjoyed your marathon!

I didn't end up watching any more after the first one.
I discussed my thoughts and questions with bjmort and he cleared a few things up for me.

 

[disneysteve]

It doesn't seem like such an iconic movie in and of itself?

Anyone watching Star Wars IV (the first movie) for the first time in 2015/2016 can't have the perspective we had watching it for the first time in 1977... Star Wars was like nothing we had ever seen before. The movies since the first Star Wars have dulled our appreciation for the fact that Lucas came up with a completely new way of making the action movie. I try to remember that when I watch Star Wars I to III.

Exactly. Jes, watching SW IV today can't possibly have the impact it did in 1977. We watched it just recently in preparation for the new movie and I thought it was poorly done, poorly acted, and pretty hokey overall. But in 1977 it was ground-breaking. It ushered in an entirely new way of making movies that continues to this day.

In 1977, the idea of sequels (or prequels) was pretty foreign. While I suspect there were some, I can't think of a single movie sequel of any real popularity in existence at the time.

The first thing that popped into my head was The Godfather 1 and 2 (1972 and 1974). Those were pretty popular.

 

[xlxo]

I remember a discussion why the sequels/prequels took so long to come out.... they were waiting for the CG special effects to catch up with their vision.

 

[Hunterr]

Ok it's over.

I feel like this movie was a bit anti-climatic.
What really happens?
I assume old mate Georgie made this movie with the intentions of making the trilogy and this is just part of the story (obviously it is but I don't know how else to express what I mean)
It doesn't seem like such an iconic movie in and of itself?

 

[Hunterr]

I didn't end up watching any more after the first one.
I discussed my thoughts and questions with bjmort and he cleared a few things up for me.

Just finish the next 2 movies. It's not like you don't have time. Empire Strikes Back (episode 5) is the one that most people regard as the best in the series.

 

[Hunterr]

Soooo... Is Yoda not in the original movie?

It's a trilogy. Chillllll. He shows up.

 

[Princess Jes]

It's a trilogy. Chillllll. He shows up.

But I want me some Yoda!!

 

[pjweaver]

But I want me some Yoda!!

patience you need...near Yoda is

 

[EricInPA]

A New Hope (Episode IV, Star Wars 1977), is actually my favorite of all (now) 7 movies. The story is a basic Hero's Journey, but the vision underpinning it, the novelty and depth of the universe, just make it a classic.

C3PO and R2D2 are the real main characters. Re-watching it in that lens changes the movie quite a bit.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

My kids have finally started to show an interest in Star Wars (I've weened them into it via Lego Star Wars) so plan to start showing them episodes IV - VI

Will be interesting to see their take on it ... fully expect to be let down by their lack of excitement