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 2062 Ratings

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9.1	User Score Universal acclaim based on 2062 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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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

morganstephens5

Aug 10, 2015

Probably the best made Star Wars film. This is when the character development really shines better than the other films. The surprise reveal while ruined by pop culture was amazing for the time and still holds up even if you know what the heck is going to happen. The moment when Han getsProbably the best made Star Wars film. This is when the character development really shines better than the other films. The surprise reveal while ruined by pop culture was amazing for the time and still holds up even if you know what the heck is going to happen. The moment when Han gets lowered into the carbonite machine really pulls your strings. Since you had two full movies to get attached to him and care about him. The acting is much better this time around and it feels like this is the one that had a full story more than the other films. Again, probably the best made Star Wars film. But not quite my favorite. Yeah the love story was a little cheesy but it was fun and it provided a really good moment before Han got lowered into the carbon freezer.… 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

38 of 41 users found this helpful383

HPFANBOY1237

Apr 7, 2018

Definitely the best Star Wars film as of right now. It improves upon basically everything from A New Hope. And that is what a sequel is supposed to do, build upon its predecessor. Now, I'm not a Star Wars fanboy, I simply enjoy the movies and will go see them with my family when a new oneDefinitely the best Star Wars film as of right now. It improves upon basically everything from A New Hope. And that is what a sequel is supposed to do, build upon its predecessor. Now, I'm not a Star Wars fanboy, I simply enjoy the movies and will go see them with my family when a new one comes out each year so I'm not going to praise this film for a hundred paragraphs, one sentence should explain why this is the best one. It was better than A New Hope. A+… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

mailpoll

Feb 17, 2022

Simply the best Star Wars movie created in the franchise. "The Empire Strikes Back" focuses not only on the graphics, but also a deep, profound story that pertains ready in movie quotes. Bravo!!!

0 of 6 users found this helpful06

starwarsfanatic

Aug 1, 2012

Still one of the best movies ever made, even though the original is better. The only complaint I could have is that Luke is not whiny enough and the Dagobah scenes are kinda boring, but overall an extremely good movie.

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

JJ2FAS4U

Dec 30, 2021

----------------------------------8.7/10-----------------------------------

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 90 users found this helpful882

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