Director: Irvin Kershner
Cast: Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, James Earl Jones, Billy Dee Williams, Peter Mayhew, Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker, Frank Oz
Series: Star Wars
MPAA Rating: PG
Length: 129 Minutes
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The Greatest Space Opera Ever
This review is of the 2004 DVD Re-Release, which includes re-touched footage and added sequences from the 1997 Special Edition (a.k.a. Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back). However, while reviewing the film I actively ignored the Special Edition add-ons, and this review will be based on the original footage as well as my memories of the original cut of the film. In a specially marked section I will discuss the Special Edition footage, which includes a few spoilers for The Empire Strikes Back.
The Empire Strikes Back is one of those rare sequels that is as good as, or better than the original. While I love the first Star Wars film for the sheer wonder and joy it can evoke in a person, The Empire Strikes Back is a Perfect 10 for a different reason. This is just an amazingly made film, that takes the stakes, characters, and universe of the original and builds and improves on them in every way.
This is a far darker film than Star Wars (1977), yet at the same time, it feels just as hopeful and wonderful. This is, like its predecessor, one of the greatest sci-fi films ever made, and a classic that shall ride eternal on the roads of Valhalla, shiny and chrome.
