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 Critics

See All

USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 1455 Ratings

See All

9.0

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

9.0	Your Score
9.0	User Score Universal acclaim based on 1455 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

The Empire Strikes Back

Movie Details & Credits

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

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

See All Details and Credits

Awards & Rankings

Watch Now

Buy On

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

100

San Francisco Chronicle - 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

Washington Post - 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

Los Angeles Times - 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]

The Hollywood Reporter - 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

San Francisco Examiner - 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

Variety - 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

Chicago Reader - 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

SEE ALL 25 REVIEWS

Write a Review

User Reviews

MBM

Jun 25, 2009

This film is a near masterpiece, it refuses to age and is capable of giving the most cynical viewer goosebumps if they give it a chance. It is a film that transcends genres, it's more than a kid's sci-fi yarn. For starters Kasdan's script is beautiful and makes the characters This film is a near masterpiece, it refuses to age and is capable of giving the most cynical viewer goosebumps if they give it a chance. It is a film that transcends genres, it's more than a kid's sci-fi yarn. For starters Kasdan's script is beautiful and makes the characters so much more than two dimentional cutouts. The look of the film is visual ambrosia from start to finish, especially the Bespin section of the film. The story evolves to mythological proportions. Mark Hamill's contribution is often underrated, his interaction with Frank Oz's Yoda helps give the puppet a heartbeat that the prequel version can't get close to. Of course John Williams tops it all of with a perfect moving score. In short, If you've ever wondered what the fuss is about the Star Wars franchise, all you need to do is watch this. On a personal note it is my all time favourite film, there is a time for Orsen Welles and Kirosawa, but there's always time for Empire.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

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

32 of 36 users found this helpful324

Aaron_Wasserman

May 30, 2016

The Empire Strikes backs the greatest film in the Star Wars franchise, all 7 of them. Empire is one of those rare occasions where the sequel surpasses the original, and given the original was A New Hope, that shows how incredible Empire was. Empire brought the Star Wars saga to a more matureThe Empire Strikes backs the greatest film in the Star Wars franchise, all 7 of them. Empire is one of those rare occasions where the sequel surpasses the original, and given the original was A New Hope, that shows how incredible Empire was. Empire brought the Star Wars saga to a more mature and darker tone that really did raise the stakes.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

arkhamcity96

Aug 7, 2013

I love all of the settings of this movie and the mystery in it too. The light saber battle at the end is the best in the series. This is definitely the best Star Wars movie, and my favorite movie of all time!

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

SythusRATINGS

Oct 18, 2014

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 toThree 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.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

J42Hmusic

Dec 9, 2011

Without doubt, the best Star Wars film, which takes the struggles with the Empire now to a snow-laden planet, where we are bombared with thrilling action and further character development. The light-saber battle with Lord Vader at the end is epic, and it is a film that will leave you cravingWithout doubt, the best Star Wars film, which takes the struggles with the Empire now to a snow-laden planet, where we are bombared with thrilling action and further character development. The light-saber battle with Lord Vader at the end is epic, and it is a film that will leave you craving for the next development in the world of Star Wars.… Expand

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 63 users found this helpful855

SEE ALL 192 REVIEWS