The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

1980 PG 124 Minutes

The epic saga continues as Luke Skywalker, in hopes of defeating the evil Galactic Empire, learns the ways of the Jedi from aging master Yoda. But Darth Vader is more determined than ever to captur...

Overall Rating

9 / 10

Verdict: Great

User Review

JRhagan

10 / 10

This movie manages to be a great addition, and perhaps an improvement on the first one. In a continuation of Lucas' space adventure that brings a new and great dark tone to the franchise. The acting in this film is great. Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher have a mesmeric relationship on screen;i n performances that cemented their positions in pop culture, and in the hearts of all Star Wars fans as the iconic Han Solo and Princess Leia respectively. Luke Skywalker is also amazing in this film; played of course by Mark Hamill. While the iconic Darth Vader is given new depth in this film; especially due to the daring, yet superb twist ending in the film (which now really isn't a spoiler at all) which added great mystery to the trilogy. This movie also introduces us to the fan favorites of Lando Calrissian (played by Billy Dee Williams), and of the Jedi master Yoda, but also gives us our first look at the Sith Lord Darth Sidious. This movie is definitely remembered by the performances, but also has other brilliant things to commend. The dialogue is definitely the best from any Star Wars film. Mixing humorous moments from our favorite cast members, and also very deep and defining lines of the franchise as the film progresses . The effects are stunning for a film made in 1980! With great space sequences, and definitely a much improved and very exciting light saber battle; when it comes to the one in the original. The film also introduces us to a new host of great planets. From the stupendous action sequences on Hoth, and then to the wonderful training experiences on Dagabah; all the way to final moments on Besbin which perhaps gives us our most iconic moments in the franchise. All these things wonderfully blend together to create one of the best movies of all time. With brilliant story and character development; that stupendously complements the original, and even more wonderfully sets up Return Of The Jedi. Brilliant film; that perhaps defined a generation of movie-goers, and one that definitely ranks high among my favorite films of all time.

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