A Thousand Stars: Episode IV, Part 32

In Episode IV, Luke really wears his heart on his sleeve. In later films he grows better at regulating his emotions, though the feelings still run just as deep. One of my favorite aspects of his character, both as a callow kid and as a more mature man, is that he expects the best of people and is devastated when they don't live up to it. Just watch him here with Han as he tries to convince him to stay.

He's so impassioned about the cause and the peril they're facing. And so disappointed when Han refuses. Luke emotes with his whole body. He storms off in a huff, and when Leia meets him later, his entire demeanor is just droopy.

We might also add this moment from the deleted-and-later restored scene with Biggs, where Luke is simply brimming with joy at seeing his old friend. He never does anything by halves. He'll need to learn how to curb his over-intensity, because of the inherent dangers in getting carried away by emotion, but the essence of character will always be defined by how much he cares

Is this basically a Mark Hamill appreciation post? Yes. Yes, it is.

Next time, brilliant editing makes for a gripping battle...