“Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” wrapped up a nine-film saga this weekend, concluding a venerable story of heroes and villains that relied on special effects wonders and big-screen wizardry to help it usher in a new era of moviemaking.When “Star Wars: A New Hope” hit theaters in 1977, there had never been something quite like it before.
It was a B-movie that benefited from A-list production values and storytelling prowess.
It was also a commercial juggernaut with few equals, one with an easily digestible plot that allowed it to be embraced by global audiences.In that pre-blockbuster age, the film also pointed to a new way of doing business.
Its central characters — Luke, Leia, Chewbacca, Han Solo, C-3Po and R2-D2 — were ubiquitous, popping up on T-shirts, lunch boxes, bedding, and inspiring toy lines and later theme park rides.
“Jaws,” “The Godfather” and “The Sound of Music,” all of which predate “Star Wars,
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