In 1977, the world of sci-fi and film was introduced to a cultural phenomenon that would lay claim to an entire galaxy of fans. It's was a movie that changed what the genre could do in terms of story, scale, and special effects. It was big, it was bombastic, it was Star Wars.

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The original film, later dubbed A New Hope, was a smash and is still enjoyed, studied, and rewatched today. But while its effects were game-changing in the 1970s, many fans have been wondering how well they hold up against modern standards? Is the Force still strong in the galaxy far, far away or are they outdated?

Best: The Starships

X-Wings and Y-Wings Prepare to Attack the Death Star over Yavin in Star Wars: A New Hope

Starting right from post-opening-crawl, the ships hold up pretty darn well despite being models. Everything from Luke's land speeder to the Imperial Destroyers feels like they actually exist in the world George Lucas created.

They have weight, purposeful design, and scale that help establish the size of both the universe and the beings that inhabit it. And that's not even mentioning the nail-biting dog fights some of the smaller craft can pull off. Practical effects yield permanent results.

Dated: The Original Lightsaber

Luke holding his father's lightsaber while talking to Obi Wan in A New Hope

There's nothing wrong with the original lightsaber. On the contrary, it was actually one of the most impressive effects of the time. It even went on to become a symbol of the franchise. That being said, it has become dated compared to those of other characters.

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When stacked against the weapons of characters like Darth Maul, Ezra Bridger, Ahsoka Tano, or even Count Dooku, Luke's saber looks more than a bit basic. At least the concept got better with age.

Best: The Droids

R2 and C3PO aboard the Star Destroyer in A New Hope

Whether they were accomplished with practical effects or incredible costumes, the droids are some of the most recognizable denizens of the Star Wars universe. Even those outside of the dynamic duo of C-3PO and R2-D2 can stand out amongst the recognizable creatures and characters in the original film.

From the droids aboard the Star Destroyer to the scrapped rejects of the Jawa's Sandcrawler, the designs and personalities behind the robotic characters are as unique as they come. That was only a sampling of what the series would come to create.

Dated: Certain Set Pieces

Establishing shot of the Lars moisture farm on Tatooine in Star Wars.

Some things work better than others when it comes to practical effects. Where scuba gear for Darth Vader's breathing apparatus and mask might create an eerie, artificial presence, some things just look a little too artificial in a far-out futuristic world.

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For example, the outside of the Lars moisture farm looks like it fits the universe. A futuristic farm in the desert looks and sounds probable in this world, but the all-white interior with its mix of plastic coatings and props that look cobbled together, like Aunt Beru's cooking pot, definitely shows its age.

Best: The Creatures In The Cantina

Mos Eisley Cantina Band from Star Wars

If there's one thing that the filmmakers definitely had fun with during this movie, it was creating the different races of alien creatures that call this galaxy home. From the Mos Eisley Cantina alone, one can get a fair sampling of how many different species exist in this incredible universe.

The makeup effects might be as simple as a few prosthetic noses and ears, or as complex as a full-on latex suit, but nearly all of the creatures and characters mingling about the cantina look completely original to the setting they inhabit.

Dated: Alien Puppets

Space Slug coming out of an asteroid from Star Wars

One of the keywords from the previous statement was "nearly" and while most of the creatures in this flick were done perfectly and practical, some did not age particularly well. While Frank Oz's puppetry skills wouldn't come along until Empire Strikes Back, puppets were utilized to create certain creatures.

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Some are great, but some look particularly artificial as if they're not entirely there. A few members of the cantina are some great examples, but the asteroid-dwelling Exogoth isn't exactly winning any awards either.

Best: Vader’s Suit

Darth Vader looms in A New Hope.

Darth Vader is perhaps the greatest villain the galaxy has ever known and while he has certainly come a long way since 1977, the original suit still holds up and has had only a few cosmetic updates between films. Few costume designs evoke such a manifestation of presence and power.

Everything from the mask to the cape commands fear and respect for this famous Sith Lord, and everyone on and off-screen knew it. Everyone knew this was one guy nobody should mess with.

Dated: The First Lightsaber Duel

Darth Vader and Obi Wan fight aboard the Death Star

With the previous statement in mind, the original lightsaber battle between Obi-Wan and Vader might have been a powerful scene when the film was first released, but it did not age well. Especially considering the action that came in the later films.

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Granted, the argument has been made that Obi-Wan was simply stalling with Vader to allow Luke a chance to escape. Yet, these are two of the strongest warriors in the galaxy, shouldn't there be a little more clashing between them?

Best: The Size And Scale

The Death Star and the planet Alderaan in Star Wars

It's a minor detail, but one that makes all the difference. The models, the machines, and the environment all have one thing in common. Their build and their scale help establish just how large this universe can be in more ways than one.

From something as simple as the inside of the Jawas' Sandcrawler to how immense the Death Star is compared to the swarming starfighters, it all comes perfectly together to show the vastness of the galaxy. That's quite an accomplishment for any fictional world brought to film.

Dated: The CGI

CGI Dewbacks in the desert in Star Wars: A New Hope

This is only applicable for the rereleased versions, but it still applies. Lucas's additions have been discussed and dissected for years, but compared to some of the modern entries into the series, it can range from being just okay to outright distracting.

A few randomly placed droids and aliens here and there are just fine, but giant behemoth-sized mounts and cartoony-looking characters tend to break the immersion. A shortcoming on Lucas's part, but one that has yet to be fixed with any current reworkings.

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