Star Wars - Episode 5 - The Empire Strikes Back (Limited Edition) (DVD)

In 1977, the film Star Wars hit the screens, becoming one of the best grossing films ever. It made stars out of its cast and crew, particularly director George Lucas, who was also the creator, having penned an entire series of books/scripts on the saga. Star Wars was released as part of the saga, and eventually was announced as Episode 4. So, what was next for Lucas? Well, Episode 5, of course! Niftily released as The Empire Strikes Back, the film ...
...extreme fanatics parading round in Star Wars garb, collecting toys, etc. The Empire Strikes Back was a more artistic film in my opinion than A New Hope (Episode 4) and The Return of the Jedi (Episode 6), which thrilled me when I watched it. I have watched it a number of times now, as I have the others, too.

The Plot

Empire Strikes Back takes off where Star Wars leaves. It is hard, really, to explain a lot about the plot ... more

In 1977, the film Star Wars hit the screens, becoming one of the best grossing films ever. It made stars out of its cast and crew, particularly director George Lucas, who was also the creator, having penned an entire series of books/scripts on the saga. Star Wars was released as part of the saga, and eventually was announced as Episode 4. So, what was next for Lucas? Well, Episode 5, of course! Niftily released as The Empire Strikes Back, the film initially hit a little controversy, but has since been widely seen as one of the best sequels of all time. This is the category I fall into. By the time I saw Empire Strikes Back, it had been out well over a decade, as I was too young beforehand to see it, and so hype and criticism had already been replaced by lauding reviews and extreme fanatics parading round in Star Wars garb, collecting toys, etc. The Empire Strikes Back was a more artistic film in my opinion than A New Hope (Episode 4) and The Return of the Jedi (Episode 6), which thrilled me when I watched it. I have watched it a number of times now, as I have the others, too.

The Plot

Empire Strikes Back takes off where Star Wars leaves. It is hard, really, to explain a lot about the plot without giving a certain amount away from what happens in A New Hope, so be warned there may be a few plot spoilers in here from the previous film.

The Rebel Alliance have been forced to retreat and set up base on the ice planet Hoth. Jedi in training Luke Skywalker, elevated to Commander, is receives a vision from his master Obi-Wan Kenobi, teling him to seek training from Master Yoda in the Dagoba system, and sets off to do so. han Solo, meanwhile, heroic pilot from the destruction of the Death Star, decides to return to settle his debts with intergalactic 'gangster' and 'businesscreature' Jabba the Hut, much to Princess Leia's displeasure, as she loses two of her finest warriors, in the air and on the ground.

Before either of them can leave, Sith Lord Darth Vader launches an attack on the Rebels. Han Solo escapes with Leia to Cloud City, followed by bounty hunter Bobba Fett, while Luke and R2D2 escape and crash land on a swampland in the Dagoba system, where he embarks on training oin preparation to meet Vader.

As the parties head to meet once more, conflict runs high and battles ensue, with Luke and Vader closing on each other in a possible head to head battle that will reveal more than either of them can know!

The Cast and Performances

George Lucas has ensured that all the actors from Episode 4 reprise their roles here once more. Mark Hamill is once again outstanding as Luke Skywalker. The actor excels his performance in the first film, giving a more mature and careful side to the role. Carrie Fisher is a little dramatic as Leia in this film, but still does well. Harrison Ford is excellent in the role of the arrogant Han Solo once more, as is the combination of David Prowse and James Earl Jones as the body and voice of Darth Vader. Anthony Daniels provides a comedy aspect with droid C3P0, and the introduction of Billy Dee Williams as Lando Calrissian, Baron of Cloud City, is a welcome and well performed role. Alec Guinness is solid as Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Frank Oz is peculiar but effective and iconic as Yoda. Clive Revill provides the vocal talents for the evil Emperor.

My Opinion

In terms of entertainment, The Empire Strikes Back is not the best film in the world throughout. It is more artistic and scenic than the other two films in the original trilogy that sandwich it. There is an amazing scene at the end of the film. All I will say is that it involves Luke and Vader and is monumental in terms of plot and it also invites a droolingly good fight sequence, for which the choreography and direction is magnificent. There is decent action at the beginning of the film, in particular the flight sequencing, again, good direction. Lucas decided for the second film he did not need to direct, handing this over to Irvin Kershner, who has done a fantastic job.

Within three months of the film hitting the big screen, Lucas had clawed back the 30 million or so he had forked out for the film to be made. Naturally, the bank loaners were happy with this, so happy they told him to get the third in the trilogy out pronto while the hype for the saga was still hot. The third film, Return of the Jedi, was eventually released in 1983, and is my personal favourite of the trilogy.

The Empire Strikes Back had a marvellous score once more, created by John Williams, and I felt that the gravitas was finer placed in Empire than in A New Hope because the precision of the music was better in the sequel. This aided the more artistic nature of the film, and I love the effect it has on me each time I watch it. In my eyes, The Empire Strikes Back is an amazing film, and the best sequel ever made.

The DVD is naturally one full of extras, with interviews, deleted scenes and commentaries galore. These do not particularly interest me in the main, although it is always worth having a quick look at some of the interviews to see where some of the cast and crew were coming from during the film.

The DVD is available from amazon.co.uk for £4.98, as are the other two in the trilogy. It is definitely worth having on your shelf. 

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