#46

 

Star Wars - Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back

 

 

Year - 1980

Director - Irvin Kershner

Starring - Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher

 

Why You Should See It

Where does one start with Star Wars? At the beginning? Or at the second beginning.? For me it began in 1977 aged 5 and whilst A New Hope (or simply Star Wars as it was originally known) was without a doubt a massive game changer for cinema and Sci-Fi in particular I've picked the follow up as for me and the majority of others it is the best film of the series. But first the background. George Lucas' original entry in the story, along with Spielberg's Jaws, virtually invented the 'blockbuster' movie and the two films proved massive draws although both aimed at different audiences. Episode V revolutionised special effects in movies and brought an onsluaght of Sci-Fi action films whereas the genre had previously been far more about the science and less about the fiction. The film essentially took much inspiration from Akira Kurasawa's The Hidden Fortress, fairytales and Western films, telling the story of a Princess imprisoned by an evil tyrant who is rescued by our heroes. The film was and still is brilliantly inspiring to every new generation of movie makers and audiences, creating a massive franchise that all but invented the action figure, tie in novel and movie merchandise. But where A New Hope really succeeds is it it's charm that overcomes a weak story, poor script and only one really solid acting performance - Alec Guinness - who lamented his involvement but appreciated that the deal he made to receive a royalties rather than a one off payment meant he need never work again. He suggested Kenobi be killed because he preferred not to continue reading such awful dialogue and claimed that he 'shriveled up' inside every time the film was mentioned to him. Yet Lucas still cites him as one of the driving forces in the original films success.

 

And so onto Empire. The story picks up as I'm sure you all know after the Rebels succesful destruction of the Death Star and with them in hiding on the remote world of Hoth (Norway) and the vengeful Empire hunting them down. From this grim opening the film soon provides the series best moment with the four legged AT-AT walkers attack on the Rebel base. Which is successful and our band of heroes chased through an asteroid field. Except Luke who goes off to further learn the ways of The Force. Eventually they are all lured into a trap by Vader. Han Solo is taken by a bounty hunter because of his debts moments after he and Leia decalre their love for each other and Luke has his first face off with Darth Vader in a lightsaber duel, with grim consequences and the Rebel forces scattered throughout the galaxy.

 

The inspired choice of Irvin Kershner to direct had to very simple but effective results. Kirshner realised the bleak nature of the story and directed the film to complement this. He downplayed the humour without sacrificing it and created an atmosphere of brooding menace unlike any of the other films in the series. In doing so he created the template that sequels should be darker than the original. Secondly he was able to cover over some of George Lucas more cringeworthy dialogue and get better performance from his cast. The action sequences and effects are equal to and more often better than A New Hope which is in part to a bigger budget and lessons learnt from the first film. The film also has a much more ambiguous emotional core hinting a a 'dark side' in all of us. It also has what was at the time one of the greatest shock endings in cinema history, at least for the young audience who first fell in love with the characters. The now classic 'I AM your father' line has been much copied and parodied over the years since. The cinematography and set design is better than any of the other films and even the normally comedic Yoda has a few moments of foreboding. A character with more depth than would ever be realised with him merely becoming a self parodying, backward talking annoyance. John Williams' score is as brillaint and memorable as before but includes the stunning Imperial March for the first time. IF there is one criticism of the film it would be that it doesn't work as a stand alone film. It has to be bookended by the IV and VI episodes although this was an intention.

 

It would be unfair not to mention Return Of The Jedi which is again another great film but lacks the depth of Empire and reverts back to large doses of humour despite its opening promise on Tattooine. The Ewoks intentionally targetted the film at a younger age than before and this misfired on many children who had grown over the intervening years. Something the Harry Potter series skillfully sidestepped as the films and books kept pace with their original audiences growth. Jedi aims for the charm of the first film but doesn't master it quite so well and the prequel series is often left best forgotten. Lucas insisting on directing them all himself except the vastly improved Revenge Of The Sith where he returns to a darker theme. Yet the prequels are bogged down in Lucas' trademark hokey dialogue, poor acting (Hayden Christiansen and Natalie Portman I'm looking at you) and an over reliance on CGI and visuals. They flesh out the story and provide lots of fun but are ultimately hollow even if they do turn the series into the story of Annakin Skywalker's rise, fall and final redemption before his son.

 

Now if only George Lucas would follow up on the promise he made years ago to make the full 9 movies in the series...

I honestly didn't expect to have seen anything on this list, but this, I have seen.

 

I remember watching them on VHS as a child, the three of them are completely brilliant. I haven't actually seen II and III, mainly because I was diabolical.

 

 

I had no idea there is supposed to be 9 episodes though :o

I want to see 'Cannibal Holocaust', but Animal Cruelty is the worst kind of cruelty in my eyes, so I don't think I'd dare. It just depends on the animal brutality scenes. Are they really that bad? (i.e. do you hear the animals cry and whatnot?/See them there and then. Also, I don't get it. Is it actually true? Or is it just one of those films that just looks like the real deal.)

I want to see 'Cannibal Holocaust', but Animal Cruelty is the worst kind of cruelty in my eyes, so I don't think I'd dare. It just depends on the animal brutality scenes. Are they really that bad? (i.e. do you hear the animals cry and whatnot?/See them there and then. Also, I don't get it. Is it actually true? Or is it just one of those films that just looks like the real deal.)

Watch the cut version then. It's pretty much all removed. Might see a pig get shot or a spider killed but the really bad stuff is taken out.

 

No it's not real (except the animal stuff) but VERY convincing.

I've never seen Cannibal Holocaust but I've heard many things about it. Also it's great to see "Psycho" on your list.

Edited June 1, 201114 yr by gagafan