The Star Wars Anniversary Week posts continue!
One of the many terrific articles in Geek Magazine #4 (the one up for giveaway) is a a one page tribute called: Remember That Part Where…Star Wars Moments That Make us Giddy. They proceed to list several for each film. I really enjoyed this and thought it would make wonderful discussion for today’s post. Though there are undoubtedly many more than thirteen, I will share a baker’s dozen of moments that made me giddy and then you can share some of yours.
1. The Ship That Never Ends
This is probably true for many of us, but were you not in awe the first time you saw that Imperial starship going past overhead? Besides needing to resist the urge to duck, that scene, as a child, seemed to go on forever.
2. The first view of the Millennium Falcon
The fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy, yet it remains the coolest ship in any science fiction movie in the last 3 decades. The name just rolls off the tongue. For those years in which the three films were released, if you had been able to grant me one wish it most likely would have been that the Falcon be real and that it would be mine (isn’t that two wishes?). Heck, it might be close to the top of my wishlist now! The footage added in the 1997 Special Edition of the Millenium Falcon blasting off from Tatooine made me love the ship even more.
3. Han Shot First
Trust me, this does matter! Even as a young child I instinctively recognized the appeal of the rogue Han Solo with his ‘shoot first, ask questions later’ approach. Other than Jar-Jar Binks, the watering down of Han’s introductory scene in the subsequent editions of Star Wars has to be the biggest travesty unleashed on the Star Wars universe.
4. Princess Leia: crush worthy.
Can I count a character and all of her scenes as a moment? I was pretty young when I first saw Star Wars and I remember thinking how pretty Leia looked in this dress in the last scene of the film. By the time Empire was released, I was a preadolescent boy who found it very easy to crush on Leia Organa.
I found, and still do find, Carrie Fisher very beautiful throughout the entire Empire Strikes Back film. Every costume change and hairstyle change is excellent. Inspite of the lust inducing Slave Leia who was introduced in Jedi, Leia in Empire remains my favorite.
5. The Kiss
‘Nuff said!
6. “I Know”
This line change, and the gun/sword battle in Raiders of the Lost Ark were both Harrison Ford’s ideas. They are both iconic film moments and those two words embody the sensitive rogue that Han Solo is as much as the “first shot” does. Although I am thrilled that Lucas didn’t listen when Ford suggested Han be killed off in the films, I am glad he listened in this instance.
7. Coruscant
Sure, we see some of this planet that is one giant city in Phantom Menace, but it was the approach shots in Attack of the Clones that sent shivers down my spine. The digitally constructed beauty of the planetary city and the lights that were visible even from space is a wonder to behold. Lucas really amped up the visuals beginning with Clones and the film, though full of weak moments, is a gorgeous digital landscape.
8. The Asteroid Field
That entire sequence in Empire Strikes Back in which Han pilots the Millenium Falcon through the asteroid field, tie fighters biting at his heels, is one of geek-out inducing pleasure. Ending it with a loop that showcases the Falcon and landing inside a ‘cave’ was a masterful bit of film making. The fact that the special effects were done with models in those days makes these moments even more incredible.
9. Nascar, Star Wars Style
There was precious little to like about Phantom Menace. The pod racing sequence was great fun. Sitting in a theatre with good sound and feeling the rumble in your seat as the pods raced by was great. It is a nicely drawn out scene that stands well on its own. I wouldn’t mind owning an edited version of Phantom Menace that only has the pod racing scene! LOL! In fact, when I got the DVD the first thing I did was pop it in to watch that scene with the surround sound on my PC. Great fun.
10. The Battle Over Coruscant
The opening sequence in Revenge of the Sith, from the moment when the camera pans down after the word crawl until Anakin Skywalker crashlands the General Grevious’ ship, is one of the most adrenaline fueled moments of film ecstasy that I have ever scene. Lucas got alot wrong with the prequels, but I really liked Revenge of the Sith and this opening was…Wow!!! The drum beats of war, the flight across the starship that was reminiscent of X-Wings flying over the Death Star (can you reminisce about something that happens in the future? 😉 ), the broadside battle: pirates in space….it was all terrific.
11. Luke Confronts Himself
That moment in The Empire Strikes Back when Luke enters the dark side cave still gives me the creeps. In my memory, reading about it in the book was much more scary after the fact than the way the scene was realized on-screen, and yet I still really like the way they shot this. When Luke decapitates Darth Vader only to see his own head in the Vader mask, foreshadowing the father/son revelation to come later in the film, I was creeped out. It is a chilling scene.
12. Who You Calling Old?
Wasn’t every fanboy and fangirl just waiting for the day that Yoda would prove just exactly why he was a Jedi Master? The Errol Flynn antics of the saber duel in Clones, only to be topped by more of his bad self in Revenge, sent the audience into hoots and hollers and applause everytime I saw each of these films. The Clones scene was made even more fun when Yoda forced grabbed his cane and the end and went hobbling off.
13. Let the Wookie Win
I remember being just awed by the holographic chess match in Star Wars the first time I saw it. Not only did that scene showcase one of my favorite characters in the Star Wars universe, Chewie, but I coveted a chess set like that for years. I remember honestly thinking that something like that would exist by the time I grew up. And while PC’s do some amazing things, I still don’t have that chess set!!!
Those are just a few of many, many moments in the Star Wars films that induce a state of giddiness in my geek heart. Whether yours are the same, or different, I’d love to hear what moments you remember and love.
So that is today’s question for the contest. I look forward to reading them!
Gosh.. picking a favorite is hard!
I guess the number one would be when Vader told Luke that he was his father.. and then later finding out that Leia was Luke’s twin.
I’m torn between the Kiss and the scene where Luke grabs Leia and swings over the void. I so wanted to be Leia!
Oh, there are so many!
Han Solo, for me, is like Leia for you. I totally had a crush on Harrison Ford for years because of Han Solo (granted, Indiana Jones helped).
I loved the whole ending of the first Star Wars (“steady…steady…”) — the battle around the Death Star, the tension (is he going to make it!?). And I still tense up even though I know he’s going to make it.
Empire is my favorite movie — full of great lines, “I know” being the best, but there are others. My girls love Return of the Jedi, though. The battle of Endor is cheezy, but fun in it’s own way.
I loved the fact that they recreated the Luke/Leia swinging scene in Return of the Jedi. That is one of the things I really like about both trilogy sets is that they do little nods to the other films in them.
And who said you had to pick just one? Feel free to share many of your favorite moments!
I loved the last scene in A New Hope.
The march that Luke, Han and Chewebacca made down the isle with that fantastic music rumbling the theater.
It was all facial expressions and music. No cheesy lines were needed to get the point across. It was a flawless scene that will probably always be my favorite.
I really like that end scene as well James. The only thing that bugged me then, and still bugs me today, is that Chewie got screwed on the medal stand! What is that all about? No love for the wookie!
Yeah, no kidding!
Well, what do you expect? The Wookies have been discriminated against for years! They were even slaves at one time. That kind of thing will follow you your entire life.
True, after all the entire race got screwed out of an entire movie deal when the idea of Wookies was replaced with Ewoks in Return of the Jedi!
Definitely when Vader tells Luke he is his father. Number one.
Empire Strikes Back is hands down my favourite, so there are quite a few moments in that one that I love.
I remember a lot of great scenes in all the movies, I am one of those people that love Ewoks, I think they are really cute. I also was really mystified with the scooter-like things that they steal from the storm troopers in that movie. I wanted one, still do. They are actually kind of in existence now. There are a lot of others, though. I was thinking just yesterday that I need to sit down and watch these movies.
As a kid, I loved that Ewoks cartoon. That was awesome.
You picked so many good moments – but how about Mos Eisley? The point at which you go “Oh, there’s more to this universe than just humans”.
And the music they play in the cantina is horrendously catchy.
The Battle of Hoth is still one of my favorite movie scenes of all time. All the CG technology in the world still can’t top that sequence.
There are so many scenes that make me geek… but two of my favourites are the scene when Leia releases Han Solo from the carbonite in Return of the Jedi…. and when the Ewoks first appear (I so wanted a real Ewok when I was a kid)….
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t *hate* the Ewoks like some do, but I’m not a fan of them either. They are entertaining enough, and I actually liked the original end of movie celebration Ewok music much better than the jazzed up special edition changes.
Mos Eisely is great! That music is horrendously catchy. I like it!
And I love the digital stuff when it is done well, as it is in the opening of Sith, but the tactile quality you get using models really does add something to the experience. I think that is one of the reasons I like stop motion animation so much. You can see the substance of the models and the textures of the characters and the sets. It adds a depth to the overall look of the film.
All the Han/Leia dialogue is great. “I know” is, of course classic, but let’s not forget “Why, you stuck-up, half-witted, scruffy-looking nerf herder!” (“Who’s scruffy-looking?”)
Also, yes! The cantina music! 🙂 Loooove it.
Those are some great moments. I will add that I also liked the scene where Obi use the jedi mind trick and states ” These are not the droids you are looking for. ” I also really liked the whole time they are on Hoth. My favorite battles scenes are Yoda against Count Dooku in Attack of the Clones and the battle with both Jedis in the first movie againt Darth Maul. I really liked the look of Darth Maul. I would say he and Bobba Fett were my favorite ” bad guys “.
I absolutely love the Death Star ending scene from A New Hope. I still get an adrenaline rush every time I watch it. Oh, chills!
Boba Fett is great! It was so nice for Han Solo to have a cool nemesis. Since most of the neighborhood kids wanted to be good guys when we played Star Wars, I frequently chose to play Fett. If I couldn’t be Han, might as well be his arch enemy.
I always thought Fett was cooler than Vader.
I remember with heart break – Luke’s arm cut off, then Anakin’s too, my beloved then-crush, Han Solo getting frozen!
Also, I loved the wide angle shots of all the magical cities (the Ewok’s jungle home, the underground water city, etc)
Ofcourse that opening scene in Star Wars, always awed by the entrance of that star ship.
Oh and the Death Star! I really liked the Death Star doing all the wicked Death Star things like destroying planets.
Ahh…nice memories. I agree with most (my disagreements typically fall with your inclusion of any footage from secondary trilogy travesty).
As much as the prequels mostly sucked, you cannot argue with any degree of credibility that the visuals weren’t gorgeous (you could try, I guess 😉 ). Especially Sith since the ships in that film were very much the precursors of those we saw in the original series. Visually Lucas (or ILM, rather) hit the notes right with the prequels. If only someone would’ve been able to craft the dialogue. Whoa Nellie, those were some bad lines there!
Seeing the Death Star for the first time. Great!
One other thing that I did like visually in Menace (and again, I think the whole of the film is really bad) were the Ray Harryhausen-ish creatures that dwelled in the sea of Naboo. I mean, isn’t that what we all visualized sea creatures looking like as kids? I loved that.
Oh, there is no question about it–Han shot first! The attempt to edit that out in the re-release just looked silly to me. Are we to believe that greedo couldn’t hit a target as large as a human being at point blank range?
I agree with you on the prequels. 1 and 2 were pretty bad, but I loved “Revenge of the Sith.” If only they’d release a new version where some other actor dubbs the lines of Hayden Christenson. An actor who actually CAN act, that is.
Well, I’m a bit of a freak when it comes to this, but here it goes. The asteroid bit, yeah I can pretty much hum the entire musical sequence in my head. That goes for most of your moments listed Carl, especially the Battle of Coruscant. The Yoda/Count Dooku scene, very Clint Eastwood; with the steely eyes and drawing the lightsaber with the force. My favorite moment out of all of the films, Vader chooses his son and tosses Palpatine over the ledge. Now that my friends, was PRICELESS.
Yes, Cameron, and I remember loving (heck, I still do) the vicious force lightning attack scene where Palpatine is trying to toast Luke with that look of evil glee!
“I love you.”
“I know.”
🙂
i am totally with you with that “ship that never ends” sequence. when you see that you are left with no doubt whatsoever that this is not the normal world and that you are in a galaxy far, far away. as a kid i was also blown away. and you’re right, it is precisely because that ship just goes on that you are so impressed. you realise that these are seriously powerful people! and you just marvel at their technological prowess…!
whats this about them watering down han solo’s intro scene? i wasn’t aware of that! but you’re right, i do remember recognising that he was a distinctly different hero. i was both excited and troubled by this. but it was cool because it helped you understand that things weren’t always straightforward. not all good guys were knights in shining armour. hell, not all good guys are good!
princess leia… i’m quite ambivalent about her… sometimes she irritated me but sometimes i thought she was beautiful. i guess at times she was a little too caustic for my taste. she definitely was one of the first (if not the first) romantic ideals i came across. the time i found her most beautiful was the very first time we see her – or no, actually, when we see her through the recording inside R2-D2. luke plays it back and falls in love with her image and that moment idealises her image. it was a beautiful, mystical, magical moment – luke seeing this apparition and desparately wanting to know who she was. i loved that. that scene really worked for me!
my favourite scene is hands-down the one where obi-wan tells luke about the force in his little cave. alec guiness’ acting is tremendous and the music is perfect. guinness’ acting is just so good, though… flawless, subtle, perfect. it really made me believe in the force. i’m getting goosebumps just thinking about it now.
to this day i still feel that the success of the entire film hinges on that moment. the essence of the films is the force and if the audience doesn’t believe and fall in love with the idea of the force at that moment i don’t think the rest of the films would’ve worked.
That is a great scene, Jean-Pierre. And I like how, in subsequent scenes, they used Han to voice the potential disbelief the audience might have while slowly giving examples as the movies went on about how powerful the force really was.
If you watch the original Star Wars, Han shoots first.
In the 1997 Special Editions, Greedo shot first and missed.
In the release of Star Wars on DVD, I believe they shoot simultaneously.
If I remember correctly, my friend Jeff has chuckled about this before. I don’t think it is that big of a deal to him. Growing up idolizing Han Solo and looking for that type of character in the other literature that I read, it makes a HUGE difference to me. It is just implausible that Greedo, a bounty hunter, would miss at that range. And he also would not shoot a warning shot next to Han as he would know that a person running from bounty hunters would instinctively react by shooting back. It was stupid change that reflected just how ludicrous Lucas got about nonviolence in these movies filled with violence.
Hmm… in all those favorites you listed was a bit of complaining. Was Phantom Menace so bad?
When Star Wars first came out I saw it in the theatre 3 times (one theatre was fitted with under-seat speakers that shook as the Imperial Cruise flew overhead…) I was hooked for sure. I even saw it at a drive-in theatre with an electrical storm in the distance (lightening during the Darth Vader/Obi Wan fight – whoo hoo).
My wife and I saw the digitally enhanced version in the theatre too! What a buzz.
When PM opened I was back in the SW universe and enjoyed every moment of the movie. I am still baffled by all the complaints I hear… Beyond all my expectations, I got to see and live three more Star Wars movies…
My kids love them so we watch them all… I don’t hear them complain, they love Jar-Jar and laugh at all the corny jokes.
No, there are no complaints from me. I just want more.
I don’t really argue much with those who liked Phantom Menace. I liked parts of it, it was just a very weak film. I actually saw it 7 times in the theatre, each time with someone who hadn’t seen it. I wanted to love it, I really did. I then ended up thinking that I liked it. But when I watched it again on DVD the other day it was so glaringly clear to me how bad it was overall. Each of the prequels got better, but this one was just weak.
I know the kids like Jar-Jar and when he was being clumsy and funny I was fine with it…at that point he was just being this generations C-3PO. But the combination of nonsensical language and stereotypical slave-talk (I was very suprised a person of color voiced this role) was just too much. And cheesy stereotypical Asian dialogue of the trade federation people was too much as well.
Visually it had amazing moments. Loved the pod race, loved the Darth Maul fight, and I didn’t even mind the kid so much. I just thought the movie was very weak. I can’t help it, I try to be 100% a Star Wars geek every time I watch it and just like it for what it is but it is a near impossible task. It is something I can do with Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith easily, despite some problems in those films. Because they are just much better in comparison to PM.
Again, its just me. I am thrilled that others like PM and that it has helped bring an entirely new generation to the SW universe.
I liked the original the best and I loved the scene where they’re trapped in the garbage compacter.
That was a good one, Suzanne. I love it when C-3PO thinks they are dying when they are actually yelling because they were saved.
haha! yes! when C3PO thinks they’re dying! that is very funny!
you’re right about counter-balancing the idea of the force with han’s cynicism. it works well!
i remember that scene now – the one where he shoots first… i agree with your argument about the change being unnecessary and implausible. and the more i think about it i can see what you mean about how it is such a cop-out to change that. han shooting first is significant and integral to his character.
Thank you for validating my insanity, JP. 😉
Forgive me, for I have chuckled over it. I agree with you in regards to that change but you’re just so much more passionate about that scene than me. I also hate how they have altered E.T. to change guns to radios in the officers hands at I believe the end of the film. I know they altered the anniversary edition of that movie. We all have things we’re passionite about and I’m sure you have shaken your head at me at times over some small detail that I have made an impassioned case over. 🙂 The family watched SW:ANH this morning in tribute to the 30th anniversary and I thought of you again at that scene. I know someone else commented about the garbage chute scene above and I love that whole scene too and enjoyed it again this morning.
I shake my head at you all the time! 😉
I had no idea they altered E.T. that way. I am not sure I’ve seen E.T. since seeing it in the theatre on its initial run. That is a really stupid alteration. In a couple of decades they will probably re-release it with the Reese’s Pieces digitally replaced by carrots, because, God Forbid, we don’t want kids eating candy!!!
OK. I’m a huge Leia fan! She was the coolest. I loved the kiss!! And the truly best part ever is the “Luke, I am your Father” part!
Going into Lightspeed was one of the coolest parts of the original Star Wars. I remember seeing it as a kid and the whole audience clapping and yelling.
“I find your lack of faith disturbing”
As much as Obi-Wan’s speech in the cavehut sold us on the concept of the Force, Darth Vader’s phantom throat squeeze of the impudent officer closed the deal.
“That’s no moon.”
Obi-Wan’s observation after exiting lightspeed was a masterful way to transition the scene to one of impeding dread.
Reading all of the comments it’s very hard to pick one. I think obi-wan telling Luke about the force is one of my top ones. I also remember being so impressed by the plane that went on forever. There was also a scene of fighters flying though tunnels that simply took my breath away. I’m not sure which one that was in, but I think it was the first. And that incredible music.
that’s very true, steve, that scene definitely rounds off the concept of the force and makes us believe in it all the more!
I must admit, i am a HU-UGE Leia fan!
I Loved all of the arguments between Han/leia, it was always fun watching them yell at each other. i know that i am a bit late in leaving a comment, but i just found this.
So yeah, Leia is bootiful. She looks really nice in the slave girl outfit, but just her hair, i find the actually costume thingy really disturbing.,
and she also looks bootiful in the ceromony(sp?) at the end of Ep. 4.
And i love Han.
Its never too late to comment, Brianna. I have had a picture of Leia as my cell phone screen saver for months and only recently changed it for Christmas.