While perusing my website’s ever-growing archive of movie reviews (you can find it HERE), I eventually came to the Star Wars films. It was there that I made an alarming discovery. Out of all the Star Wars movies I’ve written about, there were only two I haven’t reviewed, “The Empire Strikes Back” and “The Return of the Jedi”. I won’t rehash my deep adoration for the franchise, but this was particularly jarring, especially since these are my two favorite Star Wars movies. So it’s time to plug those two gaping holes starting with “Empire”
“The Empire Strikes Back” is an important movie to me for a number of reasons. Not only do I think it’s the very best Star Wars film. I also think it’s one of the best sequels ever made. And on a more personal level, it’s the movie that really opened up cinema for me in an entirely new way. I remember leaving the theater as a kid in awe. Not just at the incredible world George Lucas had expanded on or the swagger and swashbuckling of my favorite character, Han Solo (Harrison Ford). But it was the storytelling which left the youngster me utterly amazed and wondering what was coming next.
“Empire” released here in the States on May 21, 1980 and was a box office smash. It opened to fairly mixed reviews, but over time and following countless reappraisals, the film is rightly heralded as a great Star Wars movie and one of the greatest movies ever made. Directed by Irvin Kershner and co-written by Lawrence Kasdan and Leigh Brackett, “Empire” mixes an immersive story with great characters and dazzling world-building. And it all emanates from the creative mind of George Lucas.
While 1977’s “Star Wars” ended on a high note for the fledgling rebellion, the fitting title of “Empire” hints at the sequel’s darker tone. We see little in terms of victories for the rebels beginning with the film’s epic opening as Darth Vader (David Prowse/voiced by James Earl Jones) and his imperial troops lay siege to the hidden rebel base on the snow planet of Hoth. It’s quite the opening; one that does a great job reintroducing the major characters and raising the stakes which only get higher as the story progresses.
After being forced to evacuate on the Millennium Falcon, Han, Leia (Carrie Fisher), the loyal furball Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew), and protocol droid C-3PO (Anthony Daniels) find themselves pursued through space by Vader and his fleet of Star Destroyers. Meanwhile Luke (Mark Hamill) and the spirited astromech droid R2-D2 (Kenny Baker) are on their way to a remote swamp planet called Dagobah following a vision from Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness). Luke’s old mentor (slain by Vader in the previous film) tells him to seek a Jedi Master named Yoda (puppeteer Frank Oz) who will complete his Force training.
Of course the movie finds a way to bring all of our heroes back together, this time in Cloud City where we’re introduced to fan favorite Lando Calrissian (Billy Dee Williams), the administrator of the floating mining colony. From there the movie gives Star Wars fans everything they could possibly want. There’s a daring escape, an epic showdown, a franchise-driving revelation, and an amazing cliffhanger that would set the table for the trilogy’s finale that would come three years later.
“The Empire Strikes Back” is a landmark movie for a number of reasons. Not simply because it’s a spectacular sequel with a great forward-moving story and cutting-edge special effects. But it also injected so much into pop culture, much of which still flourishes today. “Empire” launched Star Wars to heights that neither George Lucas or the world could have expected. And for many kids in the early 80s (like me), “Empire” etched Star Wars so deeply into from our childhoods that it left a permanent mark. And my love the franchise hasn’t waned a bit since.
VERDICT – 5 STARS
keithandthemovies.com 
The Best Star Wars Film, The Second best sequel of all time (Godfather II being at the top) and the most inventive film in the whole series. Glad you filled in this blank spot in your catalogue of reviews.
It’s funny, I just assumed I had already reviewed it. I’ve seen the movie 100 times. Shame on me!
It’s the best Star Wars movie period. It’s almost perfect in every way, and I don’t say that about movies in general. Godfather Part II and The Princess Bride are the only other movies that I would even consider to be perfect. I actually got to see Empire Strikes Back in theaters when it was re-released towards the end of 2020 to get people back into theaters, and it was amazing. If Disney were to re-release the Original Trilogy back into theaters, they would make ALL the money. I would totally go see them, since A New Hope and Return of the Jedi are the ONLY Star Wars movies that I haven’t seen in theaters now. That reveal at the end of the lightsaber duel was one of the greatest twists in cinematic history, if not THE greatest. Even most of the actors didn’t know that was going to happen. It was kept under the tightest of wraps. Only George Lucas, Lawrence Kasdan, and Mark Hamill knew, so if it leaked, they would know who did it. The Original Trilogy remains my favorite trilogy of films, with the Lord of the Rings coming in at a very close second.
It’s funny, the were in the process of re-releasing all the films in theaters when Lucas sold to Disney. I was looking forward to taking my kids to seem them all on the big screen as I did. Unfortunately they only made it through Episode II (I think). Regardless, “Empire” is pure brilliance.
I um….. I never got into Star Wars all that much. But I have seen them all and I would say this and Rogue One are my favorites.
Rogue One is so, so, so good. I recently rewatched it (again). It always surprises me.
I loved reading your review! I just reviewed the original trilogy films over at my blog. It’s interesting how different in tone Empire is from the original Star Wars. Where the original is pure high adventure, Empire is darker and more mature. Thanks to Irvin Kershner’s direction, it’s a more polished film, and the actor’s performances are vastly improved. Especially Mark Hamill as Luke. The pain on Luke’s face when Vader makes his big reveal is probably his finest acting hour. And John Williams score, where he manages to top himself over the original. Geez, I could go on and on about this film. Definitely the best sequel of all time.
Thanks so much. I like all the points you make, especially about Kershner’s direction and WIlliams’ score. The movie has so many memorable lines and scenes.
Still the best one for me overall. I just love the strands of narrative it took as well as the fact that we get to know the characters more including Darth Vader. Plus, I love some of the smaller moments such as how Captain Piett became Admiral because he didn’t dare bullshit Vader knowing that his superior is a total fuck-up. I also love that as evil as Vader was, he is the really the good cop instead of the real mastermind that is Palpatine. It’s also the one film, in its revised version, that isn’t as distracting in comparison to the other films in the original trilogy.
I love it so much. I can’t tell you how many times I have seen it. And wouldn’t the job of Admiral under Vader be the worst job in all the galaxy??? LOL
Well, if you don’t bullshit him to his face and admit to your mistakes. At least he’ll kill you gently. Remember in Return of the Jedi when Vader arrived at the Death Star telling an officer that Palpatine is coming and warned him that Palpatine won’t be as forgiving as Vader would. I’d rather be choked out by Vader with the Force than deal with Palpatine.
VERY true!
I’m not really a Star Wars fan but I do think this is the best one!
Yep. It still holds that place for me.
Cool hearing about what this means to you – seeing it in theaters as a kid. This is my favorite too.
Then probably A New Hope or Rogue One.
I love Rogue One. I would probably have it at #4, right behind “Return of the Jedi” and “Revenge of the Sith”.
Great review! Glad to see this one completed.
Thanks! Now for Return of the Jedi.