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Star Wars: A New Hope (1977) Starring: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Alec Guinness Director: George Lucas Rating: PG Category: Sci-Fi

ALSO! Be sure to read through Jason's full review of the "Star Wars Trilogy" DVD.

A long time ago in theaters all around the world, George Lucas’ innovative sci-fi epic, “Star Wars,” exploded onto the big screen, captivating an entire generation of moviegoers with its unbelievable world of fantasy and adventure while also introducing ground-breaking technology for future filmmakers. It’s got everything you could ever want in a movie -- action, love, suspense, comedy -- and it never forgets to pay homage to the numerous film roots that connect Lucas’ masterpiece to cult classics like “Flash Gordon” and literary influences like Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings” trilogy.

Everyone knows the story by heart, but here is a quick recap for those foolish enough to have missed out on one of the greatest stories ever told: After the Old Republic sends rebel forces to kidnap Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) in a last-ditch effort to wrap up the year-long war, Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness) is called to arms to face off against the evil Emperor Palpatine and his black-as-death apprentice, Darth Vader. Obi-Wan enlists the help of Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), a young farm boy who hasn’t yet realized his hidden power as one of the few remaining Jedi warriors, in an attempt to defeat the Empire. Along the way, they team up with a pair of contrasting robots (C-3P0 and R2-D2), a cocky, mercenary pilot named Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and his sidekick Chewbacca as they journey across the galaxy to save the day before the Republic can employ their latest weapon, the Death Star.

“Star Wars,” later subtitled “Episode IV: A New Hope” during its two-week re-release, is the perfect example of a film that caters to the tastes of nearly every viewer. While the subject material is wrapped in a universe of bizarre aliens and nerdy slang, it still is solidly grounded in the essential elements of storytelling and archetypal characters that appeal to everyone. After 20 years of fanfare and three re-releases, including the 1997 special edition showing off Lucas’ digital updates, “Star Wars” is one of the most popular films in history and has become more about the experience than the movie itself. Featuring a loveable cast of characters, an engaging story and a visually captivating display of special effects, “Star Wars” is one of those few select films that you can expect to find in almost anyone’s collection.