Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back

Name: Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Released: May 21, 1980
Duration: 124 min
Rating: 82
Cast: Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill

1980

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Universal acclaim based on 25 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 2045 Ratings

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9.1

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9.1	User Score Universal acclaim based on 2045 Ratings

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The Empire Strikes Back

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Movie Details & Credits

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation | Release Date: May 21, 1980 | PG

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 youngThree 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

Director: Irvin Kershner

Genre(s): Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

Rating: PG

Runtime: 124 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Peter Stack

The balance between action and mysticism in The Empire Strikes Back provides fascinating energy. It's as if the kids are given one set of delights, the bravado of battles and elaborate warships zooming through exotic space, and adults are given another, a layered explanation of what it all means in the grand scheme of things. [Special Edition] Read full review

100

Gary Arnold

A stunning successor, a tense and pictorially dazzling science-fiction chase melodrama that sustains two hours of elaborate adventure while sneaking up on you emotionally. Read full review

100

Charles Champlin

It is expansive but more tightly time-framed in terms of plot. I wish it were a handful of minutes shorter, but this is my single caveat about another richly imaginative, engrossing and spectacular motion picture from the redoubtable George Lucas. [18 May 1980]

Arthur Knight

While Empire doesn't quite measure up to Star Wars in the freshness and originality of its script, and the plethora of space operas that has been jamming the screens ever since Star Wars has somewhat lessened the novelty of city-sized ships sailing the stratosphere, nevertheless this 20th Century-Fox release remains a rattling good entertainment, a worthy successor to the original — and far and away the best of its kind since Star Wars itself. Read full review

Bob Stephens

This is the bluest film you'll ever see. The haunting color resounds throughout Empire like a sustained, melancholy chord...Empire is essential viewing for lovers of science fiction. [Special Edition] Read full review

Staff (Not Credited)

A worthy sequel to "Star Wars," equal in both technical mastery and characterization, suffering only from the familiarity with the effects generated in the original and imitated too much by others. Read full review

Dave Kehr

Mainly it's marking time: the characters take a definite backseat to the special effects, and much of the action seems gratuitous, leading nowhere. Read full review

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User Reviews

DBPirate1129

May 30, 2015

SKIP TO THE END FOR REVIEW SUMMARY.

It's very rare that a sequel manages to match or even best its predecessor. Empire Strikes Back managed to break that trend. Empire Strikes Back is, in every way, more compelling, emotionally involved, and dramatic than A New Hope. We get to see eachSKIP TO THE END FOR REVIEW SUMMARY.

It's very rare that a sequel manages to match or even best its predecessor. Empire Strikes Back managed to break that trend.

Empire Strikes Back is, in every way, more compelling, emotionally involved, and dramatic than A New Hope. We get to see each character develop and face new struggles. I would argue that there is no standout actor in this movie. Each one is equal in their ability and serves their character well. Though, of course, James Earl Jones' Darth Vader must be mentioned. If there was another voice coming through the mask, he wouldn't be nearly as memorable.

Though I'm normally not a fan of slow starts, this one works in the film's favor. After several important character moments, we get to see an epic ground battle followed by an intense space chase through asteroids. Luke goes on a different path from Han and Leia in this film as he trains with the wise and interesting Master Yoda. Han and Leia have their own struggles as they deal with the foreboding Empire, which is at its best in this part of the trilogy. The movie really starts to shine as the climax draws nearer. Luke and Vader's confrontation, Han and Leia's romance, and Cloud City itself are simply amazing. The Empire Strikes Back's mastery is by no means exaggerated (even if it does mean the other films in the series don't get their deserved praise) and easily one of the best and most gripping installments of Star Wars.

Review redone ahead of The Last Jedi.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Kaokashin

Jul 25, 2011

The best Star Wars movie! It takes a movie that seemed to have perfect characters with perfect interaction face reality as the movie took a turn towards the dark side(excuse the pun). We get the most memorable faces of the franchise. Darth Vader, Boba Fett, Han Solo, and even Yoda. This isThe best Star Wars movie! It takes a movie that seemed to have perfect characters with perfect interaction face reality as the movie took a turn towards the dark side(excuse the pun). We get the most memorable faces of the franchise. Darth Vader, Boba Fett, Han Solo, and even Yoda. This is where Star Wars went from being a fantasy story and became a story to be loved by those of all ages… Expand

37 of 40 users found this helpful373

FilipeNeto

Feb 23, 2018

This film is the continuation of the story of the first. The war between the rebels and the Empire continues, while Darth Vader Luke demand throughout the galaxy. Directed by Irvin Kershner and written by Leigh Brackett and Lawrence Kasdan, this film has the participation of the same actorsThis film is the continuation of the story of the first. The war between the rebels and the Empire continues, while Darth Vader Luke demand throughout the galaxy. Directed by Irvin Kershner and written by Leigh Brackett and Lawrence Kasdan, this film has the participation of the same actors from the first film.

The film inherits most of the qualities of his predecessor. It has a carefully chosen cast and consistent performances, with some emphasis on the work of Harrison Ford, actor who was already highlighted in the first film and now consolidates his success. Action scenes are excellent, thought of meticulous way and the fight scenes with lightsaber remind us some great duels of piracy and swashbuckling films. The special visual and sound effects are the best that existed at the time and fulfill their role with great merit. The only difference between this film and the latest films of the saga is, in fact, this technical issue, given the huge advance that, in a few decades, the techniques and special effects achieved. The soundtrack was again in charge of John Williams, which continues the excellent work started in the first film of the saga. In fact, the first main theme of the chords of the saga became one of the songs that instinctively comes to mind of people when they think of film music, the same way as the "March of Darth Vader" has become one of most songs instinctively associated with the image of any movie villain. The point of greatest merit of this movie is the script. It is a deeper script, more psychological and intense than the script of the first film, and this contributed decisively to the success of it, and the franchise itself. Oscar winner for Best Sound, is one of the most popular films of the saga in the present day.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Roguejedi92

Sep 22, 2021

Empire introduced a much more mature journey in a galaxy far far away, and takes its characters from Star Wars and fleshes them out. From the sweeping romance between Han and Leia, the introduction to Yoda, the epic Battle of Hoth, to the exciting chases through asteroid fields, and the darkEmpire introduced a much more mature journey in a galaxy far far away, and takes its characters from Star Wars and fleshes them out. From the sweeping romance between Han and Leia, the introduction to Yoda, the epic Battle of Hoth, to the exciting chases through asteroid fields, and the dark and shocking revelation of the Skywalker bloodline, Empire is exciting, full of adventure and, even humor, but is balanced with real drama and stakes for the characters. It is not only an excellent sequel, but a standard all other sequels have been measured by.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

MovieLonely94

Nov 2, 2010

great follow up to A New Hope.

2 of 5 users found this helpful23

TropicalNayr

Mar 28, 2021

i would rate this a 90%
The action was great and the creativity was amazing but there is some scene that are slow moving and should have been clip out or should have filled in the plot but it is a pretty good movie

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

andreeka

Mar 6, 2015

an massively very very very very overrated movie. the empire strikes back isn't greatest movie ever made. not even close. i saw this movie 2 days ago in streaming and that's really so boring with the dull action and acted, except harrison ford

8 of 88 users found this helpful880

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