Critique of a Film Script

Critique of a Film Script

Star Wars: A New Hope

In this critique, I will be discussing how Star Wars: A New Hope, can be said to repeat or fit in with traditional film patterns.

First of all, the film has a linear narrative, in that it goes from beginning to end in chronological order.

In regard to a traditional three act structure, this script can be said to follow it in two different respects. Firstly, as the first film in the trilogy, it can be seen as the first act, as it is the episode that sets up, and introduces the setting and characters. (As stated in a traditional three act structure, the first act serves to set the scene, the second to introduce confrontation, and the third to provide resolution).

The film can also be considered to follow the structure as a separate film in itself, as at the beginning, the scene is set. Luke Skywalker our main protagonist is introduced as a lowly farm boy, living on the desert planet of Tatooine. We are allowed to identify with Luke through seeing him in his everyday setting and hearing about his ambitions. For example, he keeps saying to his uncle he wants to go away to train at the academy.

Next comes the confrontation in the form of the Empire’s pursuit of the droids and stolen plans, and the inadvertent murder of Luke’s Aunt and Uncle, which throws Luke into an adventure where he must fight against the evil galactic Empire.

Finally, the film gives us resolution in the form of Luke destroying the Death Star and overcoming the oppression of the Empire.

This film can also be said to mirror the traditional narrative structure of the Hero’s journey.

The Hero’s Journey can be condensed down to 12 basic steps.

1. ORDINARY WORLD

2. CALL TO ADVENTURE

3. REFUSAL OF THE CALL

4. MENTOR

5. 1ST THRESHOLD

6. TESTS, ALLIES, ENEMIES ACT 2

7. APPROACH TO THE INMOST CAVE

8. SUPREME ORDEAL

9. REWARD (SEIZING THE SWORD)

10. THE ROAD BACK ACT 3

11. RESURRECTION

12. RETURN WITH THE ELIXIR

In Star Wars: A New Hope, it does indeed begin with an ordinary world (1), and we see, that through events out of Luke’s control, he is thrown into his adventure (2), although he does refuse initially until the discovery of his Aunt and Uncle’s deaths (3). He is urged to go on his adventure by his mentor, Obi Wan Kenobi (4), with whom, he trains to be a Jedi Knight. The first threshold in the film is when they are ambushed by Imperial Stormtroopers when they are trying to leave for Alderaan (5). Luke passes his first test when he first learns how to use the force whilst on the Millennium Falcon (6).