The success has of the film is attributed to George Lucas turning over the writing and directing chores to others who could bring his vision to life. Leigh Brackett and a young Lawrence Kasdan are responsible for the script, based on a story by Lucas, and Irwin Kirshner directed the film with true craftsmanship.
From a storytelling stand point, the ending revelation that Darth Vader was Luke's father, took the entire films series in a new direction. Instead of being about Luke Skywalker and the rebellion, the story became about Darth Vader and his journey to the dark side and his redemption in the final film. The fact that Darth Vader was Luke's father was one of the best kept secrets in Hollywood. James Earl Jones recorded the dialog in secret and David Prowse the actor playing the character read the line "Obi-Wan killed your father" during filming. Mark Hamill knew the real line since he had to respond accordingly on film. In the editing room Lucas and Kirshner replaced the dialog. Until the film premiered only those four and Kasdan who wrote the line knew the secret.
All the stars of the first film Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher returned for the sequel as well as Chewbacca, R2-D2 and C3P-O. Plus some new characters were added the greatest of these was Yoda, made of rubber, Frank Oz and the writers created a fully fleshed out character to interact with the cast. Yoda has since become a film icon and a bearer of universal truth and wisdom. he has also become mostly CGI in the later films. Two other new characters Boba Fett the mysterious bounty hunter and Lando Calrissian, another charming, triple dealing rouge, also added greatly to the Star Wars mythology.
The film was filled with dazzling imagery from the ice planet, the swamps of Dagobah, the asteroid field and Bespin the city in the clouds. Along with visuals was the great Star Wars music. John Williams triumphed with a new orchestral piece, The Imperial march, which has now become a classic and is synonymous with Darth Vader, the same way his music for Jaws instantly makes you think of sharks.
The film received mixed reviews when it was released, with many critics disliking the "middle of the story" plot and cliff hanger ending. But the film's reputation has grown and when re-released in 1997 most critics gave it four stars. Of the six Star wars films it is considered the best in overall quality. Since it's release the film has made $538 million in worldwide ticket sales, but that is at 1980 ticket pricing. Adjusted for inflation it is the twelfth highest grossing film of all time.
At the Movie House rating **** stars
I saw The Empire Strikes Back on Memorial Day, May 26, 1980 at The Loews Cinema in Levittown. I went with my good friend, and movie buddy, Tony (he is a Star wars fanatic and had already seen the film on opening day. I had to work. I believe he had also seen Star Wars five or six times when it was originally released.)
1 comment:
It is certainly arguable, however, I believe that most afficianados would agree that Godfather 2 is the greatest sequal ever made and the only one to garner a Best Movie Oscar. In fact, I would also say, the Bride of Frankenstein was a better sequal than the Empire SB.
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