There aren't many films that the term "iconic" feels insufficient as a description, but Is there any point in reviewing this ? Has anybody over 10 still not seen it ? The only part of the series that can really be watched as a standalone film, even with the controversy over changes, it is difficult to find fault. Following two secondary characters for the first part of the film is a masterstroke and a lot of humour between C3PO and R2D2 as they begin their journey helps to immerse the audience in the world, which is far less grand and more lived-in than that introduced in the prequels and ultimately more real to the audience despite the science fiction aspects. Luke's desire to strike out on his own makes him instantly relatable, and once Ford appears, the film picks up a relentless pace. It is the banter and interplay between the three primary characters that also helps to set this film and its sequels apart from the prequel trilogy. The conviction of the actors in their roles together with the pace help to gloss over dialogue which can be just as problematic as the prequel trilogy. And then there is the score - Williams has written many iconic pieces, but the original score for Star Wars still stands as one of the greatest ever written - is it any wonder that many of the themes and motifs continued to be used in the other films ?