Retro Reviews #2 – Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
A Review by Eric Brown
Story: 9/10
Performances: 8/10
Cinematography: 8.5/10
Music (Soundtrack/Score): 9/10
Visuals (Props/Settings/Wardrobe/CGI): 8/10
Final Score: 8.5/10
Synopsis
After the destruction of the Death Star, Darth Vader (played by David Prowse and voiced by James Earl Jones; rest in peace to both) and the Empire now hunt after the Rebels in search of revenge. Under the orders of Obi-Wan’s Force Ghost (Alec Guinness, rest in peace), Luke (Mark Hamill) must search out the Jedi Master Yoda (Frank Oz, voice and puppeteer) to continue his training. However, when Leia and Han (Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford respectively; rest in peace Carrie Fisher) get taken hostage by Darth Vader, Luke must cut his training short to save them.
Spoiler-Free Review
As per a lot of people’s opinions on this movie, I find it an improvement on A New Hope. The story is more structured, the performances are better, there’s better lightsaber combat, and the music is still amazing. This movie is a lot of fun, and still a movie I enjoy rewatching the twenty-fifth, maybe even thirtieth time. From more flying through space, to bigger, crazier sets, this is one of the few 80’s era sequels that outshine the original.
Spoiler Review
Like A New Hope, I don’t remember the first time I watched this movie, but I know I loved it and still do to this day. It’s everything you want from a sequel. A deeper story, more characters with pasts waiting to be told, bigger sets, more action… and the plot twist. You know the one. I feel like in today’s age, every single person is born with the knowledge that Darth Vader is the once Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker, Luke’s father. It’s become such a big piece of pop culture, even being parodied in other movies like Toy Story 2 when Zurg tells Buzz Lightyear that he’s Buzz’s father (possible review coming soon…). The introduction of fan favorite characters like Yoda and Lando (Billy Dee Williams) is another great reason I love this movie. Yoda has always been one of my favorite characters, and this version of him is peak hilarity. He’s goofy while also wise, and he completely changed the way Luke, and all of us, saw the Force and its potential…
*SPOILERS FOR RETURN OF THE JEDI AHEAD*
Let’s just bring up the elephant in the room. The Luke and Leia kiss. As a first-time viewer, you wouldn’t think anything of it, then you get to the next film, Return of the Jedi, and learn that Luke and Leia are TWIN SIBLINGS. It’s obvious that George Lucas didn’t have that idea in mind when he had them kiss in Empire Strikes Back, but every time you rewatch this movie, you always think about how weird that scene is, especially with how cocky Luke acts about it in front of Han. Bizarre…
Returning to this film, when going through and studying it for this review, I found that my favorite part was the last twenty minutes, the tension of Han Solo being frozen in Carbonite, the duel between Vader and Luke, and the reveal of Vader being Anakin Skywalker. It’s all set up so perfectly and leaves you waiting for Luke’s plan of action and the Return of the Jedi.
