What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that this 1977 movie comes in two versions: the original and the one released on DVD in 2004 that's augmented with more effects. Either one is a good introduction to the series for kids (the effects don't add much) if you decide to view them in the order they were made rather than the chronological order in which they're marketed now. Parents may notice something they didn't the first time around -- the human cast isn't all that diverse. Most are white males, and the princess stands out as the only strong female character. One bar scene features "space" drinking, smoking, and shady characters, resulting in the loss of one character's limb and the shooting death of another. Two supporting characters are killed fairly early on and shown as ash-like figures; a main character dies later. There are plenty of laser blasts and swordplay with lightsabers, although this entry is the tamest of the series.

Families can talk about the characters' choices and motivations. Why does Luke decide to fight the Empire? Why does Han? Why does Han leave, and why does he come back? What background do the newer movies give this story? In 1977 the audience didn't have this background -- do you think they missed out? If you watched the updated version could you tell right away when a scene was added? Why do you think the director added to his work? Do you think it's the sign of a good director to let his or her art stand or to keep revisiting past work?

Common Sense Media Review
In what is now Episode 4 in the Star Wars saga but was the first episode filmed, the story starts right in the middle of the action, with a battle on a spaceship.

Two robots (or "droids") escape: the elegant C-3PO (Anthony Daniels) and his counterpart, the gurgling and beeping R2-D2. They carry a message from Princess Leia ( Carrie Fisher) to Obi-Wan Kenobi, asking for help. When they arrive on the desert planet of Tatooine, they're bought by Luke Skywalker ( Mark Hamill) to help on his aunt and uncle's farm.

Luke finds the message from Leia and makes his way to Ben Kenobi ( Alec Guinness), where he learns that his father was a Jedi knight and joins Ben on his quest to fight the Empire.

Luke and Ben quickly hire Han Solo ( Harrison Ford), a sometime smuggler with questionable loyalties, to get them to a planet called Alderaan -- only to discover that Alderaan has been destroyed by the Empire's frightening new weapon, the Death Star. Their circumstances changed, they end up rescuing Leia before attempting to destroy the Death Star. Meanwhile, Luke gets his first glimpse of Darth Vader (voiced by James Earl Jones), and sees the Force fight the Dark Side with a flash of lightsabers.

George Lucas, who wrote and directed STAR WARS: EPISODE IV: A NEW HOPE, was deeply influenced by Joseph Campbell's work on myths, as well as his own love for the great movie classics. This movie is rich in themes from both. For example, the Mos Eisley cantina scene with all the aliens is very much like a typical bar scene in a Western movie. Han Solo resembles the cowboy ideal -- the loner with no loyalty to any cause, but with his own sense of morality. Even his costume is reminiscent of a cowboy outfit, with boots and a gun holster at the hip.

Han and Luke must both decide whether to join the fight. At first both are reluctant; in fact, Han leaves. But they accept the responsibility, as they must. The idea of the Force in the movie may be something kids may want to know more about, and it's definitely not a new concept. They can start by looking up Eastern religions.

Fans of this film will probably enjoy the rest of the series. Other good bets include the Mel Brooks spoof Spaceballs and the fantasy adventure Willow . Older kids will enjoy the slightly more intense Lord of the Rings series. Video game fans may want to check out LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy .