A more mature instalment than its predecessor, loaded with spectacular special effects and efficiently written, this may well be the pinnacle of the saga.
The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Runtime: 2 hrs 10 mins
Synopsis: Considered the most morally and emotionally complex of the original Star Wars trilogy, THE EMPIRE STRIKE BACK continues creator George Lucas's epic saga where STAR WARS: A NEW HOPE left off. The Rebel Forces--which include young adventurer Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), rogue pilot Han... Considered the most morally and emotionally complex of the original Star Wars trilogy, THE EMPIRE STRIKE BACK continues creator George Lucas's epic saga where STAR WARS: A NEW HOPE left off. The Rebel Forces--which include young adventurer Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), rogue pilot Han Solo (Harrison Ford), and the beautiful but seemingly humorless Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher)--have been successful in destroying the Evil Empire's Death Star. However, the Empire's top commander, the terrifying Lord Darth Vader (played by David Prowse, voiced by James Earl Jones), is scanning the galaxy for the Rebels' secret location. After a visually stunning showdown on the ice planet Hoth, the Rebels are forced to flee, and Luke separates from Han and Leia. Masterful storytelling weaves multiple, archetypal plotlines that pit Vader against Han and Leia as he desperately attempts to capture Luke for political--and, secretly, personal--reasons. Luke, meanwhile, finds himself under the tutelage of the tiny but powerful old Jedi Master Yoda, who teaches him the ways of the Force and warns the impatient but talented student against the threat of the Dark Side. Greek tragedy meets a philosophical hero's journey in EMPIRE, a remarkable sci-fi epic in which the performances are as powerful as the spectacular special effects. In 1997 a special edition of the film was digitally remastered with enhanced visual and sound effects. Several scenes--including the one in which Luke Skywalker encounters a deadly Wampa on Hoth--were reedited with more detail while other scenes--such as the one on Cloud City--were added for the rerelease. [More]
Genre: Science-Fiction/Fantasy
Starring: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams, Anthony Daniels
Screenwriter: Leigh Brackett, Lawrence Kasdan
Story: George Lucas
Producer: Gary Kurtz
Composer: John Williams
DVD Info
Release:
Dec 9, 2006
DVD Features:
- Note: This release features both the original theatrical version and the enhanced version released later.
- 2-Disc Set - Keep Case
- Pan & Scan - 1.33
Audio:
- Subtitles - English, Spanish, French - Optional
- Disc 1: STAR WARS EPISODE V: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK - Pan & Scan; Enhanced Trilogy
Audio:
- Dolby Digital 5.1 EX - English
- Dolby Digital 2.0 - Spanish, French
Additional Release Material:
- Audio Commentary - George Lucas - Executive Producer; Irvin Kershner - Director; Ben Burtt - Sound Designer (Enhanced Trilogy); Lawrence Kasdan - Screenwriter; Dennis Muren - Special Effects (Miniatures); Carrie Fisher - Star
Interactive Features:
- Hidden Features - Easter Egg
- Disc 2: STAR WARS EPISODE V: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK - Pan & Scan; Original Theatrical
Audio:
- Dolby Digital 2.0 - English, Spanish, French
Additional Release Material:
- Trailers- Product Trailer - Lego Game Trailer
Interactive Features:
- Games - XBox Playable Game Demo
Reviews
An extended ricochet from one incendiary set-piece battle to another which still finds time to attend to plot, pace and character.
By far the best part of the trilogy, Empire is a classic that completely transcends its genre, with a reputation that can only grow and grow.
The Empire Strikes Back is a worthy sequel to Star Wars, equal in both technical mastery and characterization, suffering only from the familiarity with the effects generated in the original and imitated too much by others.
Each section of the film has a stand-out sequence that inspires hyperbole like 'best ever.'
Irvin Kershner directed the actors this time around, and without the benefit of Lucas's personal affection they seem stiffer, more clenched.
The most imaginative and emotionally connectable "Star Wars" film and, with the exception of "Revenge of the Sith," also the darkest.
The second act is very strong, cutting back and forth between Luke training with Yoda and Han, Leia, Chewie and C-3P0 fighting the Empire. And it's paced leisurely enough that you get to know the characters a little bit.
The backbone of the Star Wars saga takes the story and themes of the first film into deeper waters.
...the deepest, darkest, most mature, and most thoughtful entry in the series.
The film spends more time on its characters and unlike the previous film they aren't as busy with all kinds of swashbuckling adventures.
To see The Empire Strikes Back again on the big screen is a real treat and it brings to mind that cliché they don't make 'em like this anymore.
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