Not really an inconsistency, but its interesting to see how much less physical the force is in A New Hope. Everything, from Luke's focus in the death star trench, to Kenobi's mind trick, Skywalker's ability to sense the target they could all be seen as the extent of the Force's powers via the mind. Even Motti being choked by Vader could be argued as Darth simply making him think that he's being suffocated.
It isn't until Empire that we see Vader crushing people's tracheas, Luke moving his lightsaber around, and doing big jumps in the air.