I am astonished that the original Stars Wars doesn't win hands down.
This film revolutionized movie making, and legitimized Science Fiction to mainstream audiences.

Who can forget the electricity of the opening scene when the Imperial Destroyer kept coming and coming across the screen? The very thrill of that moment alerted the audience that something very special was about to happen.

Remember the circumstances of that time. George Lucas was directing a film that fulfilled his dreams. He had no idea whether it would be a hit or a flop, but he remained true to his vision.

The pace of the film was breathtaking in every detail including the
"whoosh" and "clunk" as doors slammed shut (as compared to the agonizingly slow pace of Stanley Kubrick's "2001"). The story switched rapidly from one stream to another, delicately interlacing the plot into very enjoyable sequences.

The special effects were fabulous! Han Solo's space ship was of a configuration never seen before. Who can forget the excitement of the enemy fighters screeching by in attack (yes, I know you can't heard sound in outer space, but poetic license is allowed)? Who can forget the view of the Death Star and its monstrous size as it pulls in the Millennium Falcon?

The film introduced a groundbreaking variety of beings. Remember the bar scene. And who but Lucas would select a Wookie and two robots as major characters. Other directors would probably have dismissed the idea thinking that the audience could not relate to non-humans. But the genius of Lucas was to involve these characters (and their special personalities) in a way that the audience found the diversity delightful.

Since Lucas didn't know whether he would be successful or not, he created a complete film (many of the sequels and prequels suffered from being open ended, or bound by the limits of other movies in the series). He saved the best for last. The attack on the Death Star was daring and wonderful. The chase down the trench in the final scenes was a visual masterpiece. And I remember the cheers emitting from the audience when the Death Star exploded.

The other Star Wars movies may be compared and judged as perhaps technically better or worse, but who can ever forget the emotional thrill and fun we all experienced in a universe far, far away and a long time ago.

Learn more about this author, Lorne Yacuk.
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