Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope

BIBLIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. Lucas, George; writer and director. DVD. Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. Release Date: September 12, 2006. PG. ASIN B000FQJAIW

PLOT SUMMARY
A long time ago, in a galaxy far far away...

Young Luke Skywalker is living on Tatooine with his aunt and uncle. His uncle purchases two droids. One, R2-D2 has a secret message for Obi-Wan Kenobi from Princess Leia. Leia has stolen the plans for the Death Star and has been captured by Darth Vader. She asks Obi-Wan for help. Luke and Obi-Wan join forces to help Leia. The force is an ancient religion and Obi-Wan begins teaching Luke the ways of the force. They hire Han Solo and his Wookiee co-pilot Chewbacca to help them rescue Leia and the plans. Luke joins the rebellion to help them try to destroy the Death Star.

CRITICAL EVALUATION

Star Wars is a classic. My aunt took me to see it in the movie theater when it was released in 1977. I was a bit young, but I grew up to be a huge Star Wars fan. Star Wars is a classic hero story, just with light sabers and aliens. Luke is the underdog; he’s the kid that has to make everything right. He must save the princess and slay the dragon, or in this case destroy the Death Star. Compared to the new Star Wars movies the special effects leave something to be desired, but for 1977, they were pretty good. The banter and chemistry between Han Solo and Leia is evident even before we know what happens in the second movie. And Han Solo’s “I have a bad feeling about this” carries on into every Star Wars movie and also to the Indiana Jones movies. When it comes to a great movies, it doesn’t get any better than Star Wars.

VIEWER'S ANNOTATION

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, a simple farm-boy had to save the galaxy from the Death Star.

INFORMATION ABOUT THE DIRECTOR/WRITER

George Lucas a producer, screenwriter, director, and chairman of Lucasfilm Ltd. He is best known for being the creator of the epic Star Wars franchise and joint creator of the archaeologist-adventurer character Indiana Jones.

George Lucas a producer, screenwriter, director, and chairman of Lucasfilm Ltd. He is best known for being the creator of the epic Star Wars franchise and joint creator of the archaeologist-adventurer character Indiana Jones. George Lucas is also the critically acclaimed director of American Graffiti and THX 1138, as well as the producer of a myriad of independent films. In 1971, Lucas formed his own film company, Lucasfilm Ltd., in San Rafael, Calif. In 1973, he co-wrote and directed Graffiti, which won the Golden Globe and garnered five Academy Award nominations. Four years later, his Star Wars broke all box-office records and set new standards for sophistication in film visuals and sound. Lucas continued the Star Wars Saga as storywriter and executive producer with The Empire Strikes Back in 1980 and Return of the Jedi in 1983. He returned to directing in 1999 with Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace, which was the first major live-action film to be projected digitally. Three years later, Episode II Attack of the Clones broke new ground as the first major movie shot using entirely digital media. In 2005, Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith concluded the live-action Skywalker arc, but Lucas continues to explore the "galaxy far, far away" as executive producer on Star Wars: The Clone Wars, the first project from Lucasfilm Animation. Set between Episodes II and III of the live-action saga, The Clone Wars brings Star Wars to TV in weekly installments.

Lucas has also served as executive producer on such widely varied films as Willow, which was based on his original story and directed by Ron Howard; and Tucker: The Man And His Dream, directed by Francis Coppola. As executive producer, Lucas's films also include Akira Kurosawa's Kagemusha (1980); Mishima (1985); Latino (1985); Howard the Duck (1986); Labyrinth (1986); as well as 1994's Radioland Murders. He is currently executive producing Red Tails, a fictional story inspired by the historic and heroic exploits of America's first all-black aerial combat unit.

Today, Lucasfilm is a privately held, fully-integrated entertainment company. Lucasfilm's feature films have won 19 Oscars® and its television projects have won 12 Emmy® Awards. (Lucas)

GENRE

Fiction, Sci Fi, Movie

CURRICULUM TIES

New York State: None

BOOKTALKING IDEAS

Not Applicable

INTEREST AGE

Ages 10 and up

CHALLENGE ISSUES

None

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•Watch the movie or familiarize yourself with the movie and its plot.
•Refer to the library’s collection development and circulation policy.
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•Advise the senior staff of the challenge.
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WHY DID I INCLUDE THIS MOVIE?

It’s Star Wars. It’s a classic.