I still vividly recall the first time I saw the original Star Wars trilogy. My stepdad is a huge fan of the franchise and I was maybe about 11 when he brought them up to me and asked if I had ever seen them. To his surprise, I had very minimal knowledge of the films and his immediate response was to stop and buy the trilogy on VHS (remember those?). As soon as we got home from that trip, I plopped down in front of the TV and prepared to learn what happened “a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.”
By the time Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope was over, I was immediately hooked. It was this amazing and fun world that was so completely realized that you just wanted to learn more about it. My stepdad told me to prepare myself for the next film: The Empire Strikes Back and at the time I didn’t know why he prepped me for my viewing. It felt a little ominous but it got me excited to see what the next entry had to offer.
Even as an eleven-year-old, I could tell that there was something very different about The Empire Strikes Back. This wasn’t a film that was content with just thrilling us with its epic battles and colorful characters. It wanted to expand its narrative and offer up a space soap opera that was deep in the depiction of its characters and revelations. This wasn’t a sequel that was being sold because the first one was such a massive hit. It felt like a natural progression of the story and the dark turn it would take sets up a conclusion that still has people talking even today.
If the previous film was about optimism and good becoming victorious over evil, The Empire Strikes Back is about evil winning the battle over good. This is a dark movie and while nothing exceptionally bleak happens by today’s standards, you are left with the belief that the good guys will not come out on top and they’re left in a position of limbo as the film comes to its conclusion. Darth Vader may not turn Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) to the dark side but he certainly leaves him questioning a lot about what he was taught in the previous film. Vader also finds the Rebel’s new hidden base and destroys it. He captures Han (Harrison Ford) and Leia (Carrie Fisher), tortures them, then gives Han to the bounty hunter Boba Fett. He defeats Luke in a lightsaber duel (the one we had been anticipating since Vader and Obi-Wan dueled in the first film), takes his hand, and leaves him with an impossible truth. In the end, we’re left with our heroes looking toward the future because the immediate past offers no solace.
The ice and snow of Hoth make a welcome contrast to the arid terrain of Tatooine. It actually sets the tone for the different look and vibe we’ll be getting this time around. As The Empire Strikes Back begins, the rebels are hiding out there while star destroyers patrol the galaxy looking for them. Vader eventually figures out where they are and, in a thrilling sequence, a squadron of snow speeders must tackle a group of Imperial Walkers to buy time for the evacuation ships to get away. Leia escapes aboard the Millennium Falcon but, since its hyperdrive is broken, Han is forced to pilot it into an asteroid field to prevent pursuit. Meanwhile, Luke has headed for the swamp world of Dagobah for an encounter with Obi-Wan’s old teacher, Yoda (Frank Oz), a wise old creature who initially appears silly but offers much wisdom during their one on one training.
The Empire Strikes Back is engrossing from start to finish. At the beginning, we’re just excited to see new our heroes in new material because we came to love them in Star Wars. Their ongoing stories go in expected directions at times (Luke seeking training to become a Jedi) but, more often, along some unexpected paths. The Han/Leia romance, for example, is pretty much the opposite of what most of us expected after the events of Star Wars. Most fans believed Luke would end up with the princess. Even changes within that triangle are interesting and actually offer up a more emotional payoff for Leia and Han because the cocky pilot actually becomes more than what he appears. Even though he lets out a sly line as he’s frozen in carbonite, you feel the weight of the situation and fear the unknown because you don’t know how any of them will get out of this. The ultimate endgame in Cloud City provides the long-anticipated lightsaber duel between Vader and Luke a pay off beyond it just being a sword fight. At this point, we all know the reveal but even after seeing this film many times over the years, it still gives me goosebumps every time a particular line is uttered.
Since the story in The Empire Strikes Back is so engrossing, the big topic of debate has been how much of the film is actually the work of George Lucas. The original film is a thrilling introduction to his world but the much-criticized prequels and even, to an extent, The Return of the Jedi, have had a bit of a spotty narrative. There is no denying that the story is definitely his, having been hammered out once it became apparent that Star Wars would launch a franchise. Lucas’ naysayers have declared that since this entry was not directed by him, but by director Irvin Kershner, that his stamp isn’t truly on this film. I would say that it’s the collaboration between the two, with no small input from Kasdan and producer Gary Kurtz, that resulted in a product that neither likely could have achieved on his own. In many ways, Lucas functioned as a co-director but Kershner’s ability to work with actors likely resulted in inciting more compelling performances from its stars.
It also helps that the actors have grown into their roles. Mark Hamill, who was likable but very fresh in the 1977 film, greatly improves in this second installment. You buy into his role as a Jedi in training but where he really shines is during the film’s climax. You feel his pain after a very key moment and it’s extremely palpable. Harrison Ford’s cockiness is in top form, but as I said earlier, he brings a softness to the character this time around that allows you to connect with him beyond that. Carrie Fisher’s Leia shows a soft, vulnerable side to go along with her tenacity and spunk. You can tell, looking back, she set the tone for the strong female characters that are popping up in the more recent installments. There are three new characters of significance this time around with Frank Oz bringing his talent of puppetry and voice work to fold to create the iconic Yoda. Also on deck is Lando Calrissian (Billy Dee Williams) who gives people of color their own hero in a galaxy that had, to that point, been mostly white. This was probably a much bigger deal back in 1980. We also get a glimpse of the Emperor. In the original theatrical release, the role was played by Elaine Baker using the voice of Clive Revill. However, for the Special Edition, Lucas understandably shot new footage using Ian McDiarmid (complete with new dialogue) since he appeared in The Return of the Jedi.
The music in these films has always been epic in its scope but one could argue that the work of John Williams here is some of his best. In addition to re-using the most memorable and popular themes from A New Hope, he introduces three new pieces: Yoda’s theme, the Han/Leia love theme and the memorable Imperial March. Williams was in peak form when composing for the second Star Wars film; his work here is more complex and nuanced than what he provided for A New Hope and doesn’t show the indications of repetition. His choice in score also adds to the darker nature of the film.
I could go on and on talking about how great this film is. As a moviegoer, it hits all the necessary emotions. It makes you laugh, cheer, and feel the pain of the characters as they approach the unknown. The strength of the film, for me, lies in the fact that it stands on its own. It may be a middle chapter story but I could view this film without having to watch the others because that’s how strong it is. Even when the saga saw some of its weaker moments during subsequent films, this one still stands tall as the best of the bunch and a true classic in its own right.
Reel Talk gives Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back 4 Reels
