Is Star Wars the best movie ever made?

[mikeymikec]

Missing poll option: hell no

I was a fan when I was a kid, but beyond what a kid looks for, SW movies have never been able to offer much.

If one were to write a book on the history of films, I'm sure it would get a mention because it was a significant film in its day (despite poor acting in general, poor dialogue, and a plot that is mostly borrowed, eg. 'The Hidden Fortress').

 

[stargazr]

No, not a fan.

 

[vi edit]

I think the biggest appeal is that it's generational. Good vs. Bad never goes out of date, it's got some of the most iconic music ever to be used in a movie and it's pretty kid friendly.

There are certainly "better" movies and maybe even trilogies. But it's the broad appeal and lasting impact that Star Wars has had on us that sort of makes it even bigger than it really is.

 

[ControlD]

I think the biggest appeal is that it's generational. Good vs. Bad never goes out of date, it's got some of the most iconic music ever to be used in a movie and it's pretty kid friendly.

There are certainly "better" movies and maybe even trilogies. But it's the broad appeal and lasting impact that Star Wars has had on us that sort of makes it even bigger than it really is.

I agree with all of this. If you see it for the first time now in 2015 it just isn't the same. Back in 1977, Star Wars was amazing.

 

[vi edit]

I agree with all of this. If you see it for the first time now in 2015 it just isn't the same. Back in 1977, Star Wars was amazing.

My wife is 35, I'm 37. We were talking about this last night. I think there's a generational gap that starts around 10 years younger than we are that just "doesn't get it". I remember seeing RoTJ in theatres. She remembers that one pretty well too, having watched it a ton as a kid when it was released on VHS.

I used to have a record (yes the vinyl ones ) that had the entire audio soundtrack of A New Hope that I listened to over and over and over again as kid. It's what we had.

Kids growing up later than that had Power Rangers, TMNT, Independence Day, T2, ect. Just a very different level of action and effects. I think people that are 10 years or so older than us are really geeked about it. And my kids are geeked about it by proxy of me. But the generations between those are just sort of "Meh" about Star Wars.

It will be interesting to see in another 20 years where its popularity curve goes vs the Star Trek trajectory. Star Trek has largely flatlined and IMHO is going to be largely culturally irrelevant in another 10 years. Trekkies will still exist, but they are on the endangered list and the population is dwindling.

[edit]
Found it: this is what I had
https://www.etsy.com/listing/151621...6rBZCRyMko5nubuPCnWiccoZJd77H9rDncaAmNI8P8HAQ

 

[Sonikku]

Star Trek has never been as big as Star Wars. Trek doesn't have 5+ comics running at all times with numerous big budget video games in production and a permanent spot in the toy section at retail. Seriously. The only toy line I've seen endure as much as Star Wars is Barbie.

 

[Cheesemoo]

Indiana Jones - KotCS beat most others in my book.

 

[MongGrel]

I feel older ever day.

If I only was allowed one movie I could watch and get a bit of a kick out of over and over it would probably be Dr. Stranglove.

Blazing Saddles might be close behind actually. I doubt you could even release Blazing Saddles today as a new release and be viable, it would get run over by the PC police.

 

[ControlD]

I feel older ever day.

If I only was allowed one movie I could watch and get a bit of a kick out of over and over it would probably be Dr. Stranglove.

Blazing Saddles might be close behind actually. I doubt you could even release Blazing Saddles today as a new release and be viable, it would get run over by the PC police.

Hell yes. Love that movie.

 

[smitbret]

You're kidding, right?

 

[BurnItDwn]

Star Wars can not be "the best" movie. It is impossible due to the fact that there are a number of "better" movies. Proof is the existence of better movies such as, 2001 a Space Odyssey, Casablanca, Ikiru, Red Beard, The Apu trillogy, The Holy Mountain, and of course, the Seven Samurai.

Star wars is a great story. It is really accessible and fun.But in the end, it is a fantastic kids story. Its too implausible, unbelievable, and unrealistic to be the best. It allows for a great escape to another world, but, the immersion is incomplete because, anybody educated would have their brain talking to them about physics, relativity, time dilation, immensity of distances and times involved, and simply "how do they do this" and "how do they do that." There is no plausible "how", so, it is pure fantasy, and fantasy, while great, can often be difficult to be plausible/believable.

 

[JulesMaximus]

You're kidding, right?

Of course I'm kidding...

We needed more Star Wars threads though and this was the best I could come up with on short notice.

 

[DigDog]

one of teh best but not the bestest.

 

[HomerJS]

"No flippin' way" Eugene H. Krabs

 

[TallBill]

I liked the books way better. The characters and story are cool but no, not the best movie(s)

 

[Carson Dyle]

What say ye?

Sure. If you're 12 and you always stay 12. It's amazing, but there are actually people like that. A surprising number of them in this forum, in fact.

 

[Dannar26]

Best evar? Who knows. That's subject to opinion.

But judging by the responses here it seems like StarWars just isn't a proper adult story. Needs more AIDS and morally grey situations I guess.

 

[zinfamous]

I am not saying it is the most fun movie ever, but it is the only really highly critically acclaimed movie that is still relevant.

Most lists have it or Citizen Kane, and Kane lacks the mind blowing predictions 2001 has like talking AIs, space tourism, flatscreens, Skype, or iPads that keep it from being dated.

I've never seen a list with 2001 up there.

But I'd put Raging Bull, Godfather II, 8 1/2, Kane, Casablanca ahead of 2001. Probably some others, too.

But it's certainly the best Sci Fi flick ever.

 

[SlickSnake]

I think the biggest appeal is that it's generational. Good vs. Bad never goes out of date, it's got some of the most iconic music ever to be used in a movie and it's pretty kid friendly.

There are certainly "better" movies and maybe even trilogies. But it's the broad appeal and lasting impact that Star Wars has had on us that sort of makes it even bigger than it really is.

I was going to comment on this aspect, but you beat me to it. How would people have reacted to the movie if the music and sound was garbage like most sci-fi movies had at the time?

And the theater I first saw it on, had recently installed a brand spanking new Dolby sound system, as I recall. So the combined effects of the sweeping and epic music and sound effects tied to the new Dolby stereo systems was truly ground breaking. Most movies prior to that point, had largely failed to really take advantage of what this new Dolby surround sound system could do for a movie.

Also, everyone I knew at the time claimed to have a copy of the soundtrack for Star Wars. So obviously John Williams really had a major impact on the movie, and certainly as much as George Lucas had, though George would probably be loathe to admit that now, I'm sure.

At first Dolby Stereo equipment was installed mainly in larger theaters already equipped with amplifiers and speakers for CinemaScope 4-track stereo. But the success of 1977's Star Wars, which used the 4-channel system to great effect, encouraged owners of smaller theaters to install stereo equipment for the first time.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolby_Stereo

 

[SlickSnake]

My wife is 35, I'm 37. We were talking about this last night. I think there's a generational gap that starts around 10 years younger than we are that just "doesn't get it". I remember seeing RoTJ in theatres. She remembers that one pretty well too, having watched it a ton as a kid when it was released on VHS.

I used to have a record (yes the vinyl ones ) that had the entire audio soundtrack of A New Hope that I listened to over and over and over again as kid. It's what we had.

Kids growing up later than that had Power Rangers, TMNT, Independence Day, T2, ect. Just a very different level of action and effects. I think people that are 10 years or so older than us are really geeked about it. And my kids are geeked about it by proxy of me. But the generations between those are just sort of "Meh" about Star Wars.

It will be interesting to see in another 20 years where its popularity curve goes vs the Star Trek trajectory. Star Trek has largely flatlined and IMHO is going to be largely culturally irrelevant in another 10 years. Trekkies will still exist, but they are on the endangered list and the population is dwindling.

[edit]
Found it: this is what I had
https://www.etsy.com/listing/151621...6rBZCRyMko5nubuPCnWiccoZJd77H9rDncaAmNI8P8HAQ

I have this version:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/111194984/rare-vintage-star-wars-with-poster-john?ref=related-6

 

[smitbret]

But it's certainly the best Sci Fi flick ever.

You're kidding right?

 

[DrPizza]

No, it wasn't the "best" movie, but it represents as large a leap in the movie business as jumping from black and white to color - incredibly influential movie, especially for special effects.

 

[ControlD]

You're kidding right?

Agreed. I can't stand 2001 unless I am suffering from insomnia. That's almost an instant cure.

 

[JamesV]

The best movie ever made is Bella.

You probably never heard of it.

 

[blankslate]

Star Wars is a very good movie.

Maybe a great movie depending on which criteria you're judging it by.

But almost everything about a movie is subjective. Aside from running time and other things you can quantify such as budget and box office.

That being said judging it as an entertaining fantasy in a sci-fi setting it is very well done even great.

As Sci-Fi it's pretty decent.

As something that has influenced pop-culture? There aren't many movies that have done that as much as Star Wars.

That being said I really like episodes IV thru VI even though RotJ has noticeable problems after the Tattooine story segment.

The let down of the prequels in general is probably something that has contributed to the apparent anticipation for the new trilogy. Hopefully Lucas Film ran by Disney does right by the original trilogy. I think they might....


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