Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980) Review - THEATRICAL EDITION

The Empire Strikes Back is the second film in the Star Wars original trilogy, released three years after the unexpected successor, Star Wars. Directed by Irvin Kershner and seeing the return of Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher, The Empire Strikes back is considered by many to be the greatest film in the Star Wars saga, me included, and here is why I myself love it.

Right away we are thrown back into the mix, not all too long after where we left off at the end of Star Wars, Darth Vader is determined to find Luke and, even after a huge defeat, their huge power is still apparent as the Empire’s stretch reaches all corners of the galaxy. The title is very fitting for a film like this, the enemy are going to get their revenge with everything they get. The dark side has never been as threatening as it was in this film. One of best parts about this film is how dark it is, after a fairly safe first episode we get to see our heroes pushed to their limit and put in very dark places. They separate, they are tricked and by the end of the film you could say they were defeated. This is what makes Empire Strikes Back so emotionally investing and powerful.

One thing I didn’t like about Star Wars were the visuals and colour pallet, don’t get me wrong the special effects and models were fantastic but I just didn’t like how it looked as a whole, but I have to say this film looked gorgeous, the dark blacks and blues that symbolise the dark side’s influence and the film’s tone in general. The model and effects work again was absolutely stunning, the battle of Hoth is still mind-blowing to this day. Cloud city looks moody yet beautiful displaying how even a place as gorgeous as this isn’t safe. The final confrontation between Luke and Vader with the strong colours and the dark lighting made for one of the best looking scenes in the entire saga.

The previously mediocre acting evolved into some convincing and excellent performances this time around. The characters were now a lot more attached to each other leading to a better chemistry between them and some great scenes ranging from emotional, funny and action packed. Every line is memorable and brilliantly delivered, making the already fantastic dialogue even better.

The scenes on Dagobah with Yoda are magical, beautiful yet dark, hopeful yet brooding. The dialogues and monologues are at its highest points here, lines like “Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter” and “What’s in there?” “Only what you take with you” are the kind of memorable lines that stay with you for life. Yoda himself is a wonder of puppetry, being so emotive with such an extraordinary personality while only being a rubber puppet is real feat and they pull it off expertly, making one of the most classic characters in the entirety of cinema.

Overall The Empire Strikes back is not only the best Star Wars film but one of the best sci-fi films of all time, dark and beautiful, the heroes are pushed and tested right to their breaking point and pretty much being the looser by the end of this film was a really bold move and it paid off. Its dark atmosphere made for some tense moments of conflict both personal relationships and large scale battles that will have you on the edge of your seat as you become completely captivated in such a unique and interesting universe that seems to have no end to what could be in store. Constant twists and turns and rises and falls make for one hell of a ride. If you had to watch one Star Wars film ever, make it this one.

8.5/10