Directed by:
Irvin KershnerCinematography:
Peter SuschitzkyComposer:
John WilliamsCast:
Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams, Anthony Daniels, David Prowse, Peter Mayhew, Frank Oz, Alec Guinness, Jeremy Bulloch (more)VOD (4)
Plots(1)
Three years later Imperial forces continue to pursue the Rebels. After the Rebellion's defeat on the ice planet Hoth, Luke journeys to the planet Dagobah to train with Jedi Master Yoda, who has lived in hiding since the fall of the Republic. In an attempt to convert Luke to the dark side, Darth Vader lures young Skywalker into a trap in the Cloud City of Bespin. (official distributor synopsis)
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Reviews (10)
Considerably worse compared to the new episodes. There is a lack of dynamics, location changes (the whole film is basically about three mini episodes), and structured plot. The visual effects and production design, on the other hand, are good, especially in the remastered versions. Fatefulness? Nothing. Episode 1 is criticized for its immaturity, and it's exactly the same here. Clearly less rich, less action-packed, and less watchable than the new episodes.
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The fifth episode of Star Wars primarily completes the world where these movies are set. Regardless of the several crucial findings, it has also perfect cinematography, which I still think about even today, and about how George Lucas actually managed to come up with it back then. But apart from supporting the viability of the world itself, this episode hides possibly the biggest amount of great action and explosions per square meter, which is confirmed especially in the beginning, the end, and actually also in the middle of the movie. Hats off. To film the second episode and to claim that it is the fifth one, and at the same time forcing the viewers to think about what the first to third episodes contain and leave them at it for the next almost twenty years takes some balls. Not just anybody could do that.
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More narrative, dynamic and story-driven than Episode IV, and, despite its massive age, almost as mature blockbuster filmmaking as Episode III. Kershner uses all the amazing locations, mythological motifs and interrelationships between the heroes on both sides of the force even more imaginatively than Lucas, and creates a true cinematic singularity, equal parts action, suspense, poignancy and fun. The catchphrase I am your father is as much a part of modern history as Armstrong's "It's only a small step for man...." and so is the movie.
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The much darker sequel to the galactic saga is properly armed with a better story and execution than its predecessor, which already set a high bar. The Empire Strikes Back offered me everything from action, adventure, to gorgeous production design, perfect technical workmanship, costumes and make-up effects – everything that the first installment did for me, plus a little something extra. With Empire I was able to get more into the storyline, which I found richer. And there was the wise-cracking character of Yoda, whom I love. In short, in almost all ways, if not all, a perfect must-see film.
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The old trilogy is literally aging before your eyes, and even the best remastered tricks won't change that fact. Luke Skywalker remains one of my childhood heroes, but even a proper dose of nostalgia can't hide the fact that the chemistry between Han and Leia is the only thing that really saves the first half. The tension, grandeur, and fatefulness that I always associated with The Empire Strikes Back fully come to fruition almost at the very end – and that is almost starting to seem like not enough.
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Gallery (214)
Photo © 1980/1997 20th Century Fox
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