Director: Irvin Kershner
Writer: Leigh Brackett, Lawrence Kasdan (Screenplay) George Lucas (Story)
Starring: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams, Anthony Daniels, David Prowse, Peter Mayhew, Kenny Baker, Frank Oz, Alec Guinness
Plot: After the rebels have been brutally overpowered by the Empire on their newly established base, Luke Skywalker takes advanced Jedi training with Master Yoda, while his friends are pursued by Darth Vader as part of his plan to capture Luke.
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: Considered the Best to Most
Story: Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back starts by informing us with the story between the films where Darth Vadar is searching for Luke Skywalker (Hamill) the new leader of the rebel army who have relocated to the ice planet Hoth. Han Solo (Ford), Leia (Fisher), Chewbacca (Mayhew) C3PO & R2-D2 are all located. Han plans to leave to re-pay his debts but when Luke goes missing he goes out in search for him against all advice. Han shows his heroic side by saving Luke, but now the empire know where the rebels are hiding sending all their troops to eliminate the rebels.
The rebels and the empire go head to head on the ice planet, where the rebels are have to flea to survive and Luke goes his separate way to the rest as he goes to meet Yoda. We get to see how the Millennium Falcon has to avoid the capture with the whole imperial fleet looking for them, before resorting to an old friend Lando Calrissian (Williams).
Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back always gets all of the praise from the original series and I can see why even if I don’t fully agree it is the best. The idea of the almost one continuous battle and escape from the Han Solo and crews side of things would make for a great action side of any story. It is the Skywalker training that really just drags this film down because it take the foot off the gas from the action with slow moving scenes that make your love for Han Solo grow. I am not going to say this film is bad and far from it but I will be saying it is a step down from what the first chapter gave the saga. (8/10)
Actor Review
Mark Hamill: Luke Skywalker is now the leader of the rebels who must continue he Jedi training with the mysterious Yoda. When Luke learns his new skills he will once again face off against Darth Vadar but this time he will learn the truth about what happened to his father. Mark gives a good performance but really doesn’t give us enough to make us care about his character for the most part of this film. (7/10)
Harrison Ford: Han Solo is trying to escape the rebel forces so he can go and pay his debts but every time he tries he seems to get pulled back into the fight against the empire. Harrison shines because he takes control of his side of the story that shows his characters development from the original. (9/10)
Carrie Fisher: Princess Leia Organa still allied with the rebels and involved in a flirtatious romantic angle with Han. Carrie continues to be left in the background of most of the scenes. (7/10)
David Prowse/ James Earl Jones: Darth Vader is now hunting down Luke sending all the forces he can to find him and the rebel army, he is also about to reveal the biggest surprise line in film history. This version of Vadar works very well because he now feels even more terrifying and shows he real ability in combat too. (8/10)
Anthony Daniels/Kenny Baker: C-3PO & R2 D2 actually get separated in this film with R2-D2 goes with Luke for his training while C3PO stays with the rest of our heroes as the re-group after the empires attack. The two being separated doesn’t help this as both have great chemistry when they are together. (7/10)
Peter Mayhew: Chewbacca is as always the loyal partner of Han Solo who will fight by his side against any opponent. Peter continues to show how much of an important part of the team he is without having to say anything. (8/10)
Frank Oz: Yoda (Voice) is the ancient trainer of Jedis who has to now teach Luke the ways of the force so he can finally stop Darth Vadar. Yoda makes an interesting addition to the series but is on the slower side of the story. (7/10)
Support Cast: Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back has a supporting cast that helps our characters in battle but also one that changes our groups situation.
Director Review: Irvin Kershner – Irvin gives us what is considered the best in the series, he does keep one side of the story flying but the other side does feel slow. (8/10)
Action: Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back has plenty of action sequences involving a land battle, a space battle and an escape shoot out. (9/10)
Adventure: Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back does continue to show how our characters are trying to bring peace to the galaxy. (9/10)
Fantasy: Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back puts us into a fantasy world where our characters are trying to find peace. (8/10)
Sci-Fi: Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back puts us into the galaxy far away that has plenty of different space creatures and planets. (10/10)
Settings: Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back creates more iconic settings that the original with the planets used. (10/10)
Special Effects: Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back uses great special effects that for the time were ground breaking. (10/10)
Suggestion: Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back is still one that has to be watched and is easily part of the biggest franchise trilogy every made. (Must Watch)
Best Part: The fact that the villains come off on top works for a saga of films.
Worst Part: Skywalker side of the storyline well the training part.
Action Scene Of The Film: Opening battle on Hoth.
Believability: No (0/10)
Chances of Tears: No (0/10)
Chances of Sequel: Middle part of the original trilogy
Post Credits Scene: No
Oscar Chances: Won 1 Oscar for Best Sound also nominated for anouther 3.
Box Office: $294 Million
Budget: $18 Million
Runtime: 2 Hours 4 Minutes
Tagline: The Adventure Continues.
Trivia: Han Solo is the only non-Jedi/Sith in the entire original trilogy to ever wield a lightsaber, which he used to cut open the tauntaun’s belly.
Overall: The Perfect middle that leaves everything open for the epic conclussion
Rating 
