Ahh... the memories from Star Wars!

As a friend digs into the magic of Star Wars, I cannot but enter into a reminiscent mood, reflecting on my younger days and my first viewing of the classic trilogy. Star Wars is many things to many people. Calling it a movie series would be like calling Roger Federer simply a tennis player or Bob Dylan a songwriter. So I would not even venture into explaining the phenomenon that Star Wars is, for after all it's the personal bonds that you develop with the movie, the varying level of connections you create with its characters, the tide of emotions you feel through the amazing storyline, which has made this movie series something special for each one of us. It is like one of those crazy rides in a theme park where everyone goes on the same ride but each one comes out different with a different story to tell. Sigh... Star Wars! Here's looking back to probably the most memorable moments from each movie of the original trilogy that I still distinctly remember. 

Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope

Oh, there are so many from this episode. After all, it was the beginning of things to come! Each scene that showcased a new character was worth remembering. Each dialogue between the central characters laid grounds for bigger things to come. The one where Obi-Wan Kenobi sort of poofs away in his fight with Darth Vader was totally unexpected and of mammoth importance. Each scene of Darth Vader was spell-binding. But the moment that stood out for me was the final battle that took place with the Rebels attacking the Death Star in the backdrop of the massive darkness of space as a determined Luke Skywalker makes the difference. A historic space battle scene, a huge step in cinematic history. 

Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back

Ominous, as the name sounds, so did quite a few moments in the movie. The slashing of Luke's right hand being one of them. But what followed is undoubtedly one of the most memorable scenes in cinema itself - 'the revelation' by Darth Vader to Luke right towards the end. A scene that still resonates deeply within any Star Wars fan. But it was the training that Luke could gather under the guidance of Master Yoda, that I have fond memories of. A character who had reached the echelons in mastering the Force, the mystery behind Yoda's exile was only truly revealed in the prequel trilogy, but the little green fellow simply awed everyone with his wisdom and sensibilities, in his first appearance in Episode V. And the above picture is quite a special one!

Star Wars Episode VI: The Return of the Jedi

Star Wars series is filled with lightsaber duels that delight the heart. And while the prequel trilogy might hold some more skilled and fluid fight scenes such as the one between Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi in Episode III, it is still the final battle scene between Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader in the grand climax of this epic series that remains closest to the heart. While introducing shades of grey in a hero is becoming common in this century, Star Wars truly introduced a villain who was never completely evil after all, a shade of grey that develops over the three films and culminates in the final scene. And that is why this fight scene holds something deeper, for with the change being seen in Vader, it does not remain a fight between purely good and evil after all. It is a bit more personal, something you can feel now after having been through the entire journey with these characters. A truly classic ending to a series that deserves the greatest of salutations!