TOPIC: What moments *define* Star Wars for you?

What scenes or music give you chills every time you see them? When someone says "Star Wars" what's the first thing that comes to mind? Something from the franchise itself? Or maybe just an experience related to it?

In the way of a suggestion, I know that for a lot of people, there aspects of the franchise in all different kinds of media, film, book, comic or even music, that they don't consider Star Wars. If you feel that way, remember that it may be just the opposite for someone else, and just use this opportunity to talk about something you think is awesome. Basically, keep it positive

For me, it's pretty basic. That title crawl, couple with John Williams' iconic theme. It gives me goose bumps every time. Sitting down to see TFA for the first time after a 10 year drought of films, when "STAR WARS" hit the screen I was giggling like a giddy school kid through the entire crawl.

So what defines Star Wars for you?

Oh man, I know space battles are a common movie thing but seeing the Falcon fly through the skys of Jakku was the real moment I knew I was back.

June 17th, 1977. Sitting in a theater, after hearing all this buzz at the local arcade about this "Star Wars" movie. Not really knowing what to expect, I just figured it would be another sci-fi movie that only nerds like me would like.

Then...I saw on the screen "A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away...", and the main title theme begin to play. There was nobody there that I knew to tell me, but I would not surprised to learn that I was open-mouthed in my awe of what I was feeling. Then, after the very interesting opening scroll was finished and disappeared...the slow pan down to the image of Tatooine, and a very large and fast ship flys overhead firing laser bolts backwards as it retreats into the distance. Then, an absolutely HUGE ship flys overhead and it just never seems to end! It was incredible!

The great thing is...those feels did not stop for the next two hours, and have not ceased in almost 40 years!

Brax wrote: It must be an especially sweet feeling to have been there in the beginning Here's hoping the legacy that's been built up since 1977 is well taken care of going forward.

Yeah the music that plays when the big Star Wars logo pops up before the scrolling, definitely. Also, the sound a lightsaber makes when it is ignited, and the subsequent hum of pure energy. Lightsabers, yo.

The final 40 seconds of the confrontation between Luke and Darth Vader on the deathstar in Return of the Jedi. From the moment Luke snaps and goes apeshit on his old man until he cuts his hand off.
No fancy flourishes, no spins, no lightsaber katas in the middle of the duel for no reason. Just someone finally being pushed to his limit and he cant take it any longer. Vader went to far threatening his sister. Id have lost my shit to. And that music.....oh that music.

For me, its all the sounds.

Blank the screen and let the sound play and its all awesome. Lightsaber hums and clashes, tie fighters screaming over head, blaster fire from pesky stormtroopers.

You all know exactly what they sound like. I bought the new battlefront yesterday and just hearing it all was worth the extravagant price, IMO.

Oh the beginning logos and music are just...magical.

At TFA I was sitting with my wife and when that 20th century fox music played (I find it forever intrinsicly linked to the star wars movies openings) I grabbed her hand and just grinned like a little kid. Then theres the brief silence during the "A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away" and then BOOM "STAR WARS"!!!!! on the screen accompanied by the most epic score ever laid down by mortal man.

A similar thing happened at the opening of The Phantom Menace, only then I was sitting with my then serious girlfriend. When the logos/music started up we looked at each other, eyes wide with anticipation.

Just to clarify, that girlfriend is not the same girl that is now my wife.

Anyway one side note from TFA: I liked it from the start but I have to say that when rey and finn are flying the falcon through jakku it really struck a chord with me and got me so excited. Having finn get on the cannon and seeing the targetting screen being THE SAME old 70's style screen used in "a new hope" made me so damn happy! It gave the impression that the falcon is truly an old relic of the ages and of course Han or Chewie wouldn't have upgraded the targetting computers to a more modern variety. I loved it.

But of course when Rey flipped the ship sideways to line up Finn's cannon with the last TIE fighter so he could make the shot...I literally leaned over to my wife and said "Holy fuck that made my dick hard!"

Too bad it was in that brief moment after the explosion but before she hits the thrusters again to bring the ship back to a level bearing and everything went super silent...just long enough for me to make that comment...and at least 3 rows worth of people around me all turned to stare at the weirdo. At least there weren't any kids near me.

I don't apologize.

1st of all, great topic!
For me, the chase with the falcon through the asteroid field.
Yoda's theme when he raised the x-wing.
Luke's duel w/Vader while the emperor watches.
And holy smokes when Luke stares out into the tatooine sunset in ANH...
I could go on and on.

When my wife took me to see TFA she bought us popcorn and m&ms. That's what my mom used to get us when the two of us would go to see the OT films repeatedly at the dollar theater. It was such a sweet thing to do.

There are so many wondrous aspects of the Star Wars films to awe at. The entire objective correlative creates a magnificently emotional experience to the audience. With futuristic concepts of hyperspeed travel, elegant lightsabers, thrilling speeders and spaceships, the monstrous death star, the ominous Darth Vader, and the mystery of the Force; it's amazing. Still, if you take away all the sci-fi glory, you have very real characters that are found in struggles, but finding their places in the universe. It's very Shakespearean. Especially when you observe the trials of Darth Vader; despite his menacing, robotic suit, he's still very human in his emotions. The story alone makes it an amazing plot; then, when you add the effects that pioneered new fields of filmmaking and the action that has kept millions on the edges of their seats for nearly 40 years, you can see exactly why the iconic Star Wars saga has affected so many lives.

For me it was always the AT-ATs on Hoth. It still blows me away even now to watch. My favorite scene from Star Wars. Love it.

There's nothing more powerful than the main theme , I can whistle it and get the chills. But besides that , it's gotta be the imperial death March ..... duh duh duh duh dunuh duh dunuh

I was fortunate to see STAR WARS back in 77. I was 6 and it's hard to say. Everything about it was awesome. The story, characters, music, effects all were amazing and new. ESB when we first see but a glimpse of real Jedi force power, Yoda and the Xwing. That scene still gives me chills everytime I think about it.Ewan McGregor as OBI Wan Kenobi in the prequels. To see his portrayal of the younger Ben is without a doubt my favorite aspect of the franchise as a whole. Sir Alec Guinness would be proud of the lad from the north. Favorite quotes, "she doesn't look like much, but she's got it where it counts" "Do, or do not. There is no try"
and of course. "The Force will be with you,Always"

@Gorobulus That's such a fantastic scene! Much as I loved the prequel lightsaber combat, this is the most emotionally charged duel, in my book, and part of me was really happy seeing that emotionally driven, untrained dueling return in TFA.

@Nausicaa Absolutely, I love all the iconic sounds. TIE's screaming through the air and lightsabers are my favorite. Battlefront did a spot on job with the sound design.

@Jbeem Never apologize, friend. Never apologize XD

@Adam, thanks! I can totally relate

@Lim Too true. Strip back all the light and magic, and these would still be characters and stories I'd love. But some X-Wings and astromechs don't hurt, either ;D

@Ottomatix Obi-Wan is definitely one of the very best parts of Star Wars.

Hi Borommakot,

Please may I tell you my favourite moment?
Well I was unlucky, I was born in '75 so sorta missed ANH and ESB, but made up for it in a big way! I knew the projectionist at my local cinema and got to see a special screening of "both" films just before ROTJ hit theatres here in the UK. All of the above hit me, Star Destroyer, Vader and the airlock, "Don't play games with me your highness" etc,etc, There are too many throughout the films.

I hope you all don't mind but I thought I had to do what I do best and am back posting for now and see how it goes, thanks

For Tyeth

For Tyeth wrote: Note to self, make friends with a projectionist...

I think we all can agree on these moments:
1. Ep IV ANH, Luke Skywalker walks onto a hill on his homestead in Tatooine, he looks up to the horizon and watches the two Suns set, and in the background is one of John William's greatest scores in his career. The sheer beauty and climax of the music makes the audience feel the same way Luke might of felt at that moment.
2. Ep V ESB, Han getting put into carbonite, the lighting is menacing and one of the greatest lines in Star Wars, Leia: "I love you." Han replies with unwavering certainty, "I know." Then he is slowly dipped into the chamber were once again John William's captures the sinister and evil mood of Darth Vader and the dark side. ALSO in this same movie, the most important part: Luke has been defeated by Darth Vader, he is mortally wounded and hang for dear life. Vader offers Luke an ultimatum to which Luke strongly rejects, refusing to join the likes of Vader, the man who supposedly murdered his father, but then Vader unleashes one of the greatest lines of cinematic history, so famous even people who have never seen Star Wars know what it is, "No, I AM your Father!" Mind-blown plot-twist.
3. Ep VI RotJ, the final moments of the duel between Vader and Luke. Luke unleashes his rage on Vader and embraces the dark side for a moment to destroy Vader and save his father Anakin. This moment is very emotionally, because at this point we can tell that Vader is struggling to keep up with the fury of his son, but is finally defeated but is spared. Later, after Luke comes to his senses, the Emperor attempts to electrify Luke to death with Sith Lightning. Luke, helpless, begs for his father to save him. Vader musters what little strength he has left to save his child. We can all agree that even though much of Vader was evil, he found the light to brush aside his hate for himself and do what any father would do.
4. Ep III RotS, Anakin has been defeated and left for dead on Mustafar, but his new evil Master was able to salvage what was left of his apprentice. Moments we see what I believe the only good defining moments of the prequels: the birth of Darth Vader. Under another score by John Williams, a chorus captures the moment of Vader rising into being, then we hear IT, the Infamous breathes of the man in black armor, how haunting that sound is.
5. That ONE scene from TFA, you know which one I'm talking about. Man talk about a tear jerker! But I really love how well it was done, imo I thought it was a beautiful example of excellent filmotography, lighting, and directory.
Anyway, those are moments that usually give ME goosebumps.

Darth Vader breathing. Pretty much the most iconic sound ever.

Flops wrote:
What!! Tell me you didn't lose your sht in '05 with the ROTS trailer... "Lord Vader..." Man I was all over my living room when I heard that!

Brax wrote:
I'm with ya Brax. I was 6 when I saw it with my mom in '77. Has been a life long love. I think for me the awe moment was Obi-Wan cutting off the arm of the guy harassing Luke in Mos Eisley cantina.That one scene is what led me to Saber Forge 38 years later. The Force works in mysterious ways.