‘Star Wars’
If the success of a film can be measured largely by its longevity, then none has stood the test of time as well as 1977’s “Star Wars.” When it came out, I was blown away by this film that crossed so many genres: action movie, Western, fairytale, sci-fi, and more. An orphaned farm boy, Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), joins forces with ageing Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness), roguish pilot/smuggler Han Solo (Harrison Ford), Chewbacca the Wookie, two droids, and — of course — the formidable Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher), to save the galaxy from the evil Empire’s world-destroying battle station: the Death Star, commanded by one of cinema’s greatest villains, Darth Vader. Few action movies of this time (or later) had women in them as anything other than pretty scenery to be romanced or menaced. Leia was a leader both in politics and on the battlefield. “Star Wars” is a rite of passage. My 12-year-old niece now watches it repeatedly with the same enthusiasm I did on its release.
Peter Harrison
‘Toy Story’
There’s a solid argument to be made that the first three instalments of Pixar’s animated “Toy Story” franchise constitute the greatest film trilogy in history. But since this is just a one-shot pick, let’s go for the 1995 debut, where we’re introduced to the secret lives of the toys in young Andy’s room, led by straight-up good guy Sheriff Woody (Tom Hanks, who else?), whose world is shaken by the arrival of a shiny new spaceman — and rival Alpha male — Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), who, unlike the rest of the crew, doesn’t realize he’s a toy. There’s so much to love about this movie, from the gorgeous and subtle animation to the stellar voice acting to the storyline — perfectly pitched so it’s sweet but never saccharine, silly but relatable, and insightful but never patronizing to its audience, young or old.
