Flickering Myth’s writing team are counting down to the release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens by discussing their most memorable Star Wars moments. Next up is Matt Spencer-Skeen with the Mos Eisley scene from A New Hope…
I would like to point out that the scene before we meet Han Solo and Chewbacca was never my favourite scene of Star Wars until recently. Maturation and having frequented many bars of a dubious nature has undoubtedly changed my outlook an appreciation for this fantastic sequence.
I’m sure I’m not alone in experiencing something similar to Luke Skywalker’s experience in Mos Eisley, trying to quietly get a drink at the bar before being approached by some large creature shoving you and making no sense. Next his mate tells you that he doesn’t like you and threatens you, your wiser, older friend steps in to calm things down when, before you know it, things kicks off and someone’s arms has been lopped off by a lightsaber (OK not that far but you get the picture). Everyone watches the escalation then goes back to their drinks.
The scene is incredibly relatable to an older audience, the assortment of weird and wonderful creatures so comparable to the weird assortment of characters you see in a bar you’ve wandered into in a town you’ve never been before. The feeling is both wonderful and terrifying, intimidating yet exhilarating.
You also have to love the Bith band, playing their Jizz (snigger) music which is almost definitely now stuck in your head and you won’t be getting rid of it anytime soon. What people seem to forget is they do play another song! It’s nowhere near as frustratingly catchy, a bit of a slower melody that lies in the background of the first time we meet everyone’s favourite scoundrel.
What I think makes the Mos Eisley Cantina special is it is a scene of firsts. First time we see the damage a lightsaber can do, first time we meet Han and Chewie, it’s the first scene that shows the true scale of the universe George Lucas had built, with so many different species and creatures all congregating together in this Outer Rim bar. If you weren’t already hooked on the film by now this scene grabs you by the scruff of your Nerfherder neck and drags you into the thick of the galaxy far, far away.
Matthew Spencer-Skeen – Follow me on Twitter
https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PL18yMRIfoszEaHYNDTy5C-cH9Oa2gN5ng&v=0_9dLZCKOvQ
Originally published December 8, 2015. Updated April 15, 2018.
