As we count down the final days to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, I choose my favorite scenes/moments from every Star Wars film. Let us continue with the original trilogy.
Star Wars: Episode 4 – A New Hope
The Death Star Trench Run
Trench Run
Star Wars. Its right there in the title. This is a war movie, and no sequence better captures the feeling of an old time World War II film in space than this moment. The special effects barely had to be upgraded for the special editions and still hold up today. These scenes were truly revolutionary and on top of everything else they were what blew audiences away.
The tension built here is some of the best tension building in cinema history, and through all the battle the themes play out. Han Solo has a full character arc completed, and Luke learns to trust in something much bigger than himself. How could I not go with the climax of this film?
Star Wars: Episode 5 – The Empire Strikes Back
Yoda and the Force
My Ally is the Force
It was hard to pick something above the beautiful tense cinematography and real stakes of the Vader vs Luke duel, or the “I am your father revelation” a moment which forever changed movie history as to what a surprise reveal should be, but this lesson by Yoda is a lesson for all humanity. It digs into our purest, deepest mythologies. It unites every spiritual belief, and reminds even those of us who dismiss the spirit entirely that there is something greater to our story than our crude matter. It teaches the young one what might be possible if they only don’t lose their faith in what they can accomplish. I could write a book about this scene, and its just about the heart of all Star Wars. If your Star Wars movie can capture any of this, no matter what outcry comes because of expectations gone unmet, you are still doing pretty good.
Star Wars: Episode 6 – Return of the Jedi
Luke Becomes a Jedi
"I am a Jedi, Like my father before me."
“Confronting Fear is the Destiny of a Jedi”
This moment haunted me as a kid with a gravity I can’t describe. I would watch it over and over for years when there was only an original trilogy to cling to. The music, the emotion, the true victory when Luke unceremoniously tosses his saber away. (Totally within his character you will note). It is the ultimate demonstration of what true victory means over darkness . . . it isn’t destroy, but fight with peace in your heart and preserve. Compassion, even when angry, is the ultimate in human triumph.
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