Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back
Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back Image
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Metascore
78 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critics What's this?

User Score
9.0 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 295 Ratings

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  • Starring: Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill
  • Summary: Three years after the events of "Star Wars," Imperial forces continue to pursue the Rebels. After the Rebellion?s defeat on the ice planet Hoth, Luke journeys to the planet Dagobah to train with Jedi Master Yoda, who has lived in hiding since the fall of the Republic. In an attempt to convert Luke to the dark side, Darth Vader lures young Skywalker into a trap in the Cloud City of Bespin. In the midst of a fierce lightsaber duel with the Sith Lord, Luke faces a startling revelation. (20th Century Fox)… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    100
    The best of three Star Wars films, and the most thought-provoking. After the space opera cheerfulness of the original film, this one plunges into darkness and even despair, and surrenders more completely to the underlying mystery of the story. It is because of the emotions stirred in Empire that the entire series takes on a mythic quality that resonates back to the first and ahead to the third. This is the heart.
  2. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Gene Siskel
    100
    It balances bloodshed with charm, spectacle with childlike glee. It's a near flawless movie of its kind.
    All this critic's reviews
  3. TV Guide
    Reviewed by: Staff (Not Credited)
    80
    A darker, richer, and more elaborate film than the original; it suffers most from being just what it is: a middle chapter with no real ending. [Special Edition]
  4. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Judith Martin
    60
    The total effect is fast and attractive and occasionally amusing. Like a good hot dog, that's something of an achievement in a field where unpalatable junk is the rule.

See all 15 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 57 out of 59
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 59
  3. Negative: 1 out of 59
  1. JawsPapi87
    10
    This is one of the best films of all time. It's way darker than A New Hope and even more brilliant. Everything about it is genius. It's thought-provoking, too. Not to mention "The Scene" near the end.… Expand
  2. CritiqueGirl
    8
    Very good. I really liked the battles. The earth shattering truth about who Darth Vader was was the best part of the movie.
  3. WhovianFantatic
    5
    The Empire stikes back isn't as good as the last.. its kind of boring and nothing is the awesome.. every thing seems a bit boring and there isn't as much fun to have. this movie is really defiantly not as good as the last.… Expand
  4. SHANKROID
    0
    Ok, it looks like I may be on my own here. and I love the star warts, but The Empire Strikes Back is definitely the worst one. It's set in space, but one of the planets has snow. Eh, there's no snow on other planets. That's a BIG mistake. Hand Solo and Luke Skywalker are apparently bessie mates but they don't spend any screen time together. That's a bit like watching a Lethal Weapon movie, but while Riggs is out shooting criminals, Murtagh stays in the office filing paperwork. Then it turns into a romance movie for Hand Solo while Skywalker learns to be a Jedi from a little green boy. Then it all culminates in a sword fight and a BIG REVEAL that we already knew from episode 3, two movies earlier. What a mess. A big step down from The Star Wars Holiday Special.… Expand

See all 59 User Reviews

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