The bonus shot – from the confines of the Millennium Falcon out into the vast breadth of space, and in between the ominous Star Destroyers and Super Star Destroyer. Seeing this on the big screen you get a sense of why Lucas’ original trilogy works – it’s all about spectacular scale, and the importance of visual effects for the producer/director. But furthermore, it highlights (even if we were ever in any doubt) the increasing value Lucas placed upon them. By the time we get to Episodes I – III its all about the visual effects, with the films becoming awash with fast paced, flashy and largely video-game styled visuals. What’s great about this shot, much of the effects that surround it, and indeed the original trilogy of films is an additional sense of weight and almost ponderous speed used. Something that reflects (I believe) the more character and – dare I say it – ‘classical’ narrative bent of the earlier trilogy of films. In seeing the Star Destroyers just hanging, apparently unmoving you are reminded of the very first Star Wars, and its opening moment when the Rebel Blockade Runner and the chasing Imperial cruiser slowly lumber overhead and then keep going, and going. And the final minutes where the Death Star takes an age to get into position.
Instead of racing through much of the post Jedi films imagery this shot allows us to see what’s happening, think and engage with the content. Too often in the later films the action is fast, fast, fast with zipping craft and CG effects that are pixels on amphetamines. It’s highly prescient, showing in its contents not just a sense danger and possible doom for the Rebels, but perhaps also the foreboding of Star Wars films (and Lucas ideals) to come?