Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

This applies to all three Star Wars DVDs with the original and altered versions
To everyone complaining about the non-anamorphic transfer for the orginal DVDs...stop it! Don't you remember a time when it looked like that George Lucas wasn't even going release the original versions? George Lucas was obviously trying to throw a bone to the fans when he release these DVDs and I for one am grateful for them. He didn't have to release the orginal versions and he may not do it again, so this should be considered a gift.

However, I do dock the DVDs two stars, one because both Steven Spielberg and Ridley Scott released the original and special versions of Close Encounters of the Third Kind and Blade Runner, respectively. Ridley Scott, in particular, didn't like the original cut of Blade Runner, so he could've easily have ruined the presentation of the original cut, but he didn't for the fans of the film. In that respect, George Lucas could've done a better job with his original versions and therefore see the point of view of those unhappy with these releases, but I still appreciate George Lucas for even touching the orginal versions again.

My only real complaint, and reason for the lack of another star, is that these sets are what should've been in the earlier boxset. That way, we get the 2004 version, the 1977, 1980, 1983 version of the films, and the bonus disc with the documentry. I had to go to the Amazon Marketplace to get the bonus disc. Personally, this bugs me more than the presentation of the original versions.

As for the films themselves, they are awesome. They all have great stories and great characters. No matter what version you are watching, these are great films. I would recommend any one of them. They are great. Buy these DVDs and enjoy three of the greatest sci-fi films ever. While these wasn't the best releases, they are still worth the buy, or you can get the box set if you are more worried about the documentry and special features.

A Return to Innocence.
Hoth.
Yoda.
Cloud City.
That moment when you realize family really does matter ... priceless.

Individually these words represent small facets of pop culture, making whatever the question is in Trivial Pursuit obviously "Star Wars", but when you put them together, in this order, the words "Empire Strikes Back" will inevitably fall from your mouth. The second chapter (or fifth, however you count them) in Lucas' grandiose space opera involves a frozen planet, a little green man, the force, family, and eventually a good old fashioned hand losing. (Should I have put Billy Dee Williams somewhere in there?) A personal favorite among the original three, I grapple with words because what can be said about this film that hasn't already been said dozens, even hundreds of times. This is a staple to my youth, a film series that I have seen over and over in no particular order. For this viewing, I went with the classic Laserdisc edition which reminded me that no amount of special effect could change the heart of the story. What can be said? What should be said? In Skywalker's famous words to Yoda, "I can give it a try" - we all know, by heart, what will follow next.

"The Empire Strikes Back" is the strongest chapter in the original trilogy for three reasons. The first is that we have three subsequent chapters, each dealing with a different world, in a different galaxy far, far away. Lucas, in my eyes, has expanded his opera into more than just a desert planet, or a wooded terrain, or on a star that causes death; he grew and blossomed with this film. As audience members, we believe in each of the settings, we understand how cold it is on Hoth, we can feel the moisture on Degoba planet, and our fear of heights is prevalent in Cloud City. Lucas defines, travels, and leaves out no detail as he escapes with us through this expanding universe. Moving onto a second note, this is a darker chapter. Without repeating what so many others have said before, Lucas challenges us to escape from scene after scene of battle (albeit he does put a small dusting in) and listen to the words that his characters are telling us. He places small Easter eggs throughout that still gives us goose bumps as we watch (and understand), he hints towards the final chapter, but without really giving us the entire sandwich, just a sample. This smattering of the unknown, the final scenes where Vader reveals his journal's secret to Luke, the iconic nature of the slicing of the hand, all of this matches against any battle scene any science fiction director could create. Lucas has always been criticized for his lack of character development in his six-part series, and with Jar-Jar I can understand, but he had hit his stride with what he wanted from his leads. I could see the spark between Leia and Han, the love between Chewie and C3PO, and Yoda's Oz like abilities when he explains to Luke that the force lives in nature. Lucas is telling us, giving us the chance to see that the final battle will be a line up between Nature and Machine ... get ready Ewoks. Finally, this film is the strongest because it is a victorious battle for the dark side of the force. Very rarely do movie audiences walk out of a theater and feel as if hope has been crushed on the curb. Each time I view this film, I get this child-like sensation that maybe, just maybe, Vader and the Emperor will crush this little Rebel Alliance in the final chapter and reign supreme forever. "Empire Strikes Back" gives you that sense of possible dark side victory, with the call of the bounty hunters, the frozen carbonate, and the loss of Skywalker's ambidextrous abilities. Think of it this way, was the Dark Side really that evil, or did they just wear black and pursue those that were unwilling to follow the law? Goth British police officers?

In all honesty, "Empire Strikes Back" could be re-watched at this moment. There are less big fight sequences than in "Return of the Jedi", and there are less moments of confusion and droid humor, "Empire" stands on its own because it remains an elusive, dark chapter. Our leads, those that we have given our hopes, hearts, and dreams to, have all been fooled, tricked, or captured, and it feels confined (like it is only the Millennium Falcon vs. an entire armada of Star Destroyers) in this middle chapter. You leave the theater wondering about that infamous "Who shot J.R.?" moment, and a desire to see the Force be victorious. To me, this middle chapter gave the Dark Side of the Force an equal opportunity to make a case for itself; "Star Wars" is an equal opportunity employer.

Obviously, I loved this film. It has been a staple, like so many others, in my youth for years and further into my adulthood. I love these characters, these worlds, the unknown, and especially Lucas' vision. Despite the criticism of the "new" chapters, we will always have the original to go back to in any shape or form.

Without sounding repetitive, watch this series. Introduce your children to this world(s), and allow them to grow up with the largest space opera created. Spark their imagination, and you will not be disappointed.

Grade: ***** out of *****

The Dark Side Beckons
The Good Things
*Excellent special effects, action, and battle scenes, no matter how old they are. A step better than its predecessor.
*Excellent acting and dialogue.
*Good engaging story. Contains some powerful, intense, dramatic scenes.
*Good characters still.
*Imaginative settings.
*Excellent music.

The Bad Things
*A little long.

As a kid, this one always felt long and dull. Looking back on it now, however, I've come to realize that it is truly good, exciting, and unique. It is distinctively darker and more serious than the previous film, but also has bigger, bolder action scenes. It also progresses the characters vastly, moving them in ways that the other films have all failed to do. It is essential viewing for all fans of the series.