Here’s a fair question for a Star Wars review in 2026: can a movie from 1977, with rubber-suited aliens and a farm boy in pajamas, still beat whatever is streaming tonight? Short answer: yes. Mostly. Let’s look at where it shines, where it creaks, and whether you should press play this weekend.
Is the original Star Wars still worth watching?
Yes. Star Wars (1977), later retitled Episode IV: A New Hope, still works because the story is simple, the heroes are easy to love, and the pacing never lets you drift. Some effects look dated. The charm outweighs the wobble.
What is Star Wars (1977) about?
A young farmhand named Luke Skywalker finds a message hidden inside a droid. That message leads him to an old hermit, a cocky smuggler, and a rebellion fighting an empire with a planet-sized weapon. Princess Leia needs rescuing, sort of. She does a lot of the rescuing herself.
George Lucas wrote and directed it, borrowing from samurai films, westerns, and old serial adventures. It’s a classic hero’s journey, so you never need a wiki to follow along.
Do the characters and cast still land?
The trio that carries the movie
Mark Hamill plays Luke with wide-eyed sincerity. Harrison Ford steals every scene as Han Solo, all swagger and sarcasm. Carrie Fisher gives Leia real steel. Their chemistry is why the film feels alive.
Vader, Obi-Wan and the Empire
Alec Guinness brings quiet dignity to Obi-Wan Kenobi. Then there’s Darth Vader: the black armor, the breathing, the sheer presence. He barely gets any screen time and still dominates the movie.
Why is Tarkin in Star Wars so memorable?
Peter Cushing’s Grand Moff Tarkin never shouts. He doesn’t need to. Stern meaning, in one line: serious, strict, and unsmiling. That’s Tarkin, and he wears it like a uniform. (Fun side note: “stern” is also the back end of a ship, which suits a franchise full of them.)
Do the Star Wars special effects hold up?
Mostly. Lucas built Industrial Light & Magic from scratch for this film, and the miniature work still has a tactile quality CGI often lacks. The honest breakdown:
| Element | Verdict | Why |
| Space battles and miniatures | Holds up | Real models and real lighting look great |
| Death Star trench run | Holds up | Clear geography and genuine tension |
| Creature costumes | Mixed | The cantina is a blast, but some masks look stiff |
| Lightsaber duels | Dated | Slow and stagey by modern standards |
Why does John Williams’ score matter so much?
John Williams wrote a big, brassy orchestral score that treats a space fantasy like grand opera. It gives the Force a sound, the Empire a menace, and the heroes a swagger. You’d likely recognize the main theme without having seen a frame.
Star Wars review scorecard
| Category | Score | Verdict |
| Story | 8/10 | Simple, fast, and effective |
| Characters | 9/10 | Instantly easy to root for |
| Effects | 8/10 | Miniatures shine, a few costumes don’t |
| Music | 10/10 | One of the great film scores, period |
| Overall | 8.6/10 | A landmark popcorn classic |
What came after: The Force Awakens, series and Legends?
Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) kicked off the sequel trilogy and brought the original heroes back. Streaming then gave us the Star Wars series boom, led by The Mandalorian and Andor. The older novels, comics and games now carry the label Star Wars Legends, which Disney introduced in 2014 as a separate continuity from canon.
The games keep going too. Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic, announced in December 2025 and directed by Casey Hudson, heads back to the Old Republic era.
Star Wars movies in order to watch: release or story order?
For first-timers, Star Wars movies in release order is the friendliest path. You get the big reveals the way audiences did, and the effects improve as you go.
| # | Film | Year |
| 1 | Star Wars: A New Hope | 1977 |
| 2 | The Empire Strikes Back | 1980 |
| 3 | Return of the Jedi | 1983 |
| 4-6 | The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, Revenge of the Sith | 1999-2005 |
| 7-9 | The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi, The Rise of Skywalker | 2015-2019 |
Prefer story order? Start at Episode I and work forward. Spin-offs like Rogue One and Solo slot in wherever you like.
Star Wars review FAQs
Is the original Star Wars movie good?
Yes. The 1977 Star Wars is a classic thanks to its strong characters, quick story, and John Williams’ score. Some effects look dated, but the energy holds up.
What order should I watch the Star Wars movies in?
First-timers should use release order, starting with the 1977 original. Story order starts at Episode I but can spoil big reveals.
What is Star Wars Legends?
Star Wars Legends is the label Disney gave in 2014 to the older novels, comics and games, which are no longer part of official canon.
Who is Tarkin in Star Wars?
Grand Moff Tarkin is the stern Imperial officer, played by Peter Cushing, who commands the Death Star in the 1977 film.
Is Star Wars (1977) okay for kids?
It’s rated PG with fantasy action violence. Most older kids are fine, but preview it for younger viewers.
Final verdict
Star Wars isn’t flawless, but it feels alive in a way few blockbusters do. Put it on tonight, shrug at the dated bits, and see why people still argue about it. Seen it already? Drop your own score in the comments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the original Star Wars movie good?
Yes. The 1977 Star Wars is a classic thanks to its strong characters, quick story, and John Williams’ score. Some effects look dated, but the energy holds up
What order should I watch the Star Wars movies in?
First-timers should use release order, starting with the 1977 original. Story order starts at Episode I but can spoil big reveals.
What is Star Wars Legends?
Star Wars Legends is the label Disney gave in 2014 to the older novels, comics and games, which are no longer part of official canon.
Who is Tarkin in Star Wars?
Grand Moff Tarkin is the stern Imperial officer, played by Peter Cushing, who commands the Death Star in the 1977 film.
Is Star Wars (1977) okay for kids?
It’s rated PG with fantasy action violence. Most older kids are fine, but preview it for younger viewers.
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