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

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 25 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 1911 Ratings

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9.0	User Score Universal acclaim based on 1911 Ratings

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The Empire Strikes Back

Now Playing: The Empire Strikes Back

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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Metascore

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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

MagesticLean

Aug 17, 2015

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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

merijnj

Feb 21, 2018

(98/100)
The Empire Strikes Back is the best Star Wars movie there is and ever will be. It certainly is in my top 10 movies.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Dom007

Feb 13, 2021

Such a great film. It is brilliantly written, acted and made. The soundtrack is outstanding and the characters are amazing too. It also has quite possibly the best plot twist of any film to date.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

OnAnarchy

Aug 18, 2012

One of the best films ever made. Taking the directors chair out from under Lucas allowed Kershner to craft this film into a masterpiece of cinema. Focusing not only on effects, the story is deep, dark, and profound. The standard 'hero always wins' ending is omitted and replaced with aOne of the best films ever made. Taking the directors chair out from under Lucas allowed Kershner to craft this film into a masterpiece of cinema. Focusing not only on effects, the story is deep, dark, and profound. The standard 'hero always wins' ending is omitted and replaced with a realistic and logical progression to one of the great epics ever created.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

asylumspadez

Nov 21, 2011

Its just as good as the first film imo. Far more action as well and a lot of classic scenes. The acting has improved quite a bit as well. However there are a few boring scenes and it can make you lose interest through out the film.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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 86 users found this helpful878

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