The Empire Strikes Back
This was probably the main reason as to why I’m watching 6 Star Wars films in one weekend, the praise was too much to ignore, so I’ve sat and watched 4 films prior, leading up to the high expectations I had for this.
The Empire Strikes Back really is that good.
There’s something about this film which I just love so much. Maybe it’s that new direction, no shade to George Lucas, it’s just a fresh take in continuing the saga, brilliantly so. Kershner brings a new atmosphere to the franchise, one I can’t help but want more of. It grounds the series in a new darkness. Our characters are tested, endangered, there’s really no one certifiably safe.
My positive remarks of this direction are explained by the opening. You are thrown into a colder, more desolate landscape. Hoth is a dangerous planet, as we can see when Luke is tested in the deadly territories to fend for himself. When Skywalker is saved, giving us a relief, we are instantly thrown into the rebellion and empire meeting in battle yet again. There really is no relaxation, as from there, it’s a constant back on forth between the two sides of the galaxy.
Meanwhile, Luke gets the greatest characterisation thus far. His encounter and training with Yoda truly sets up who he is, and how his story will go. He faces a battle which unknowingly is the same one his father faced -though they take separate approaches to how they fight said battle, and that’s the perfection of not just this entry, but the Star Wars story as a whole. Of course, there’s Darth Vader’s and Luke Skywalker’s stand off at the end, and what hasn’t been mentioned already about how excellent this was. Luke finding out after all this time who he seeks to destroy is his own father, is just devastating, but Vader, as a Sith, doesn’t allow emotion to interfere in the battle, essentially winning his fight, but the war is far from over.