Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)

All Critics (70) | Top Critics (21) | Fresh (68) | Rotten (6) | DVD (24)

What places it a sizable cut about the routine is its spectacular visual effects, the best since Stanley Kubrick's 2001.

January 18, 2013 Full Review

Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune

Top Critic

There's no breather in the picture, no lyricism; the only attempt at beauty is in the double sunset.

January 18, 2013 Full Review

Pauline Kael

New Yorker

Top Critic

George Lucas, who made American Graffiti, has put together a sci-fi film that draws on any number of associations. Star Wars is both amazing and familiar.

January 14, 2013 Full Review

Penelope Gilliatt

New Yorker

Top Critic

A grand and glorious film that may well be the smash hit of 1977, and certainly is the best movie of the year so far.

August 13, 2008 Full Review | Comments (5)

TIME Magazine

Top Critic

A magnificent film. George Lucas set out to make the biggest possible adventure fantasy out of his memories of serials and older action epics, and he succeeded brilliantly.

February 19, 2008 Full Review | Comments (2)

A.D. Murphy

Variety

Top Critic

Has distinct limitations, but the current return to a cinema of spectacle and wonder is wholly encouraging.

February 9, 2006 Full Review | Comment (1)

Derek Adams

Time Out

Top Critic

All in all, it is an outrageously successful, what will be called a "classic," compilation of nonsense, largely derived but thoroughly reconditioned.

January 14, 2013 Full Review

Robert Hatch

The Nation

Sci-fi action classic perfect for sharing with older kids.

July 21, 2011 Full Review

Matt Springer

Common Sense Media

Like it or not, Star Wars is a seminal movie that began a whole cycle of sci-fi works and also launched the careers of many actors and craftsmen.

March 30, 2011 Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

First of a sci-fi phenomenon, #4 in the series.

December 28, 2010 Full Review

Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Lucas consegue imprimir energia à direção e estabelece seus personagens como figuras imediatamente icônicas, mesmo que, aqui e ali, seus péssimos diálogos comprometam a experiência.

January 7, 2010 | Comments (3)

Pablo Villaca

Cinema em Cena

It is a sweeping epic with classical themes lifted from the teachings of Joseph Campbell, but it maintains strong central characters.

November 5, 2009 Full Review | Comments (2)

Robert Roten

Laramie Movie Scope

After Star Wars, movies not only spawned profitable kids' toys; they merged with kids' toys, and basically became toys themselves.

August 20, 2009 Full Review | Comments (60)

Rob Nelson

City Pages, Minneapolis/St. Paul

It has shaped our imaginations, our inner worlds. The series may be over at last, but the Force will be with us always.

October 29, 2008 Full Review

Steven D. Greydanus

Decent Films Guide

On the basic level of simple entertainment it succeeds as well as any film ever has.

July 13, 2008 Full Review | Comment (1)

Steve Biodrowski

ESplatter

So, is this the best film of all time? Certainly not. But it definitely is one of the most enduring, and it's hard not to be seduced.

March 4, 2008 Full Review | Comments (7)

Film4

A product of its time, certainly, but like the myths that informed it, Star Wars will outlive the lot of us.

September 23, 2006 Full Review

Andrew Collins

Empire Magazine

Lucas and his cronies have done absolutely nothing to port this thing over for home theater other than to simply dump it on DVD.

September 12, 2006 Full Review | Comments (14)

Joshua Tyler

CinemaBlend.com

Puts most recent 'epic' blockbuster mediocrities to shame.

September 15, 2005 Full Review | Comments (4)

Michael Dequina

TheMovieReport.com

• 1. Han Solo: May the Force be with you.
  – Submitted by Dutch E (57 days ago)
• 1. Princess Leia Organa: Darth Vader. Only you could be so bold. The Imperial Senate will not sit still for this. When they hear you've attacked a--
  2. Darth Vader (voice): Don't act so surprised, Your Highness. You weren't on any mercy mission after all. Several transmissions were beamed up to this ship by Rebel spies. I want to know what happened to the plans they sent you.
  3. Princess Leia Organa: I don't know what you're talking about. I'm a member of the Imperial Senate on a diplomatic mission to Alderaan!
  4. Darth Vader (voice): You are part of the Rebel Alliance and a traitor! Taker her away!
  – Submitted by Cody H (4 months ago)
• 1. Han Solo: You're all clear kid, now let's blow this thing & go home!
  – Submitted by Matthew D (5 months ago)
• 1. Princess Leia Organa: He's got alot of courage.
  2. Luke Skywalker: What good will it do us if he gets himself killed? Let's go.
  – Submitted by Shandelle L (6 months ago)
• 1. Grand Moff Tarkin: Your sad devotion to that ancient religion has not given you the ability to conjure up the stolen data plans!
  – Submitted by Simon D (7 months ago)
• 1. Ben Obi-Wan Kenobi: Move along...
  – Submitted by Simon D (7 months ago)