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MOVIES / ON DVD / THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
The Empire Strikes Back

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The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

97%
86%
94%
N/A
N/A
N/A
97 %
Reviews Counted: 63 Fresh: 61  Rotten:2 Average Rating: 8.6/10
 
Consensus: This is argubaly the most powerful, compelling, and entertaining of the series.
 

How does the Tomatometer work?

The Tomatometer measures the percentage of positive reviews from Approved Tomatometer Critics for a certain movie.[-]

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

Director: Irvin Kershner
Screenwriter: Leigh Brackett, Lawrence Kasdan
Story: George Lucas
Producer: Gary Kurtz
Composer: John Williams

DVD Info

Release:

Dec 9, 2006

[DVD Details]

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

 
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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 >> >|
Arrange By: Name | Fresh | Rotten | Date | Source
 
 
Ratings Image
N/A

A more mature instalment than its predecessor, loaded with spectacular special effects and efficiently written, this may well be the pinnacle of the saga.

Full Review | comment Comment
03/04/08
Channel 4 Film
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image
N/A

An extended ricochet from one incendiary set-piece battle to another which still finds time to attend to plot, pace and character.

Full Review | comment Comment
01/26/06
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image
5/5

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.

Full Review | comment Comment
08/01/01
Tom Coates
BBC
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image
N/A

Stoke in the popcorn and feel the Force.

Full Review | comment Comment
01/01/00
Angie Errigo
Empire Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image
N/A

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.

Full Review | comment Comment
03/04/08
James Harwood
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image
5/5

Each section of the film has a stand-out sequence that inspires hyperbole like 'best ever.'

Full Review | comment Comment
07/30/07
Rob Gonsalves
eFilmCritic.com
Ratings Image
N/A

Irvin Kershner directed the actors this time around, and without the benefit of Lucas's personal affection they seem stiffer, more clenched.

Full Review | comment 8 Comments
05/30/07
Dave Kehr
Chicago Reader
Ratings Image
4/4

The most imaginative and emotionally connectable "Star Wars" film and, with the exception of "Revenge of the Sith," also the darkest.

Full Review | comment Comment
06/23/06
Phil Villarreal
Arizona Daily Star
Ratings Image
4/4

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.

Full Review | comment Comment
05/26/06
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Combustible Celluloid
Ratings Image
4/4

The best of the films.

Full Review | comment Comment
09/30/05
Scott Nash
Three Movie Buffs
Ratings Image
4/4

Sci-fi cinema at its best.

Full Review | comment Comment
09/17/05
Michael Dequina
Mr. Brown's Movies
Ratings Image
A+

The backbone of the Star Wars saga… takes the story and themes of the first film into deeper waters.

Full Review | comment Comment
05/16/05
Steven D. Greydanus
Decent Films Guide
Ratings Image
10/10

...the deepest, darkest, most mature, and most thoughtful entry in the series.

Full Review | comment Comment
09/09/04
John J. Puccio
DVDTown.com
Ratings Image
N/A

The Empire Strikes Back is a total delight.

Full Review | comment Comment
01/29/04
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Spirituality and Practice
Ratings Image
4/4

The best Star Wars movie, ever!

Full Review | comment Comment
01/10/04
Stefan Birgir Stefansson
sbs.is
Ratings Image
4/4

The film spends more time on its characters and unlike the previous film they aren't as busy with all kinds of swashbuckling adventures.

Full Review | comment Comment
12/05/03
James O'Ehley
Sci-Fi Movie Page
Ratings Image
4/4

A darker, richer, and more elaborate film than the original.

Full Review | comment Comment
07/30/03
TV Guide's Movie Guide
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image
3/5

No review available.

comment Comment
05/22/03
Blake French
NutzWorld
Ratings Image
5/5

The most interesting of the series

comment Comment
05/10/03
Jon Niccum
Lawrence Journal-World
Ratings Image
4/4

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.

Full Review | comment Comment
03/16/03
Robert Roten
Laramie Movie Scope
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