A Long Time Ago In A Galaxy Far, Far Away...
I'm sure almost all of you know the opening lines by heart, but today is a different matter. Today marks the 30th anniversary of the second film in George Lucas' epic Star Wars saga - The Empire Strikes Back. On May 21, 1980, this film changed the lives of people around the world, and whether people agree with me on this or not, it had one of the most mind-blowing revelations in the history of cinema, and to this day, many other films have tried to emulate or parody this moment for the effect it delivers. Yes, "Episode V" was a key moment for Star Wars buffs, and pop culture geeks will celebrate this moment wielding lightsabers and dressing up in Stormtrooper outfits. In my case, I'd like to do a little retrospective, to reflect on the film once more and to share my thoughts on what this beloved space opera adventure has done and continues to do for me everytime I get the chance to watch it.
Directed by Irvin Kershner (who also directed Bond film Never Say Never Again and Robocop 2), The Empire Strikes Back starts off with the Rebel Alliance forced into hiding on the icy planet of Hoth. Despite their defeat and the obliteration of the Death Star on A New Hope, The Empire has come back stronger than ever, intent on delivering a crushing blow to their enemies once and for all. Led by Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia Organa, and Han Solo, the rebels fight on the persistant fight, but with the tide against their favor, the good guys have no choice but to make a desperate escape. Solo orginally planned to split with the group due to his business with Jabba The Hutt, but circumstances force him and his Wookie partner Chewbacca to take and safeguard the princess and the droid C-3P0. In the meantime, Luke, after receiving a vision from his late mentor Obi-Wan Kenobi, travels to the planet Dagobah along with R2-D2, to undergo Jedi Training and master the ways of the Force. Meanwhile, the Sith Lord Darth Vader has been on a relentless personal crusade to seek out Skywalker for mysterious reasons. His attack on Hoth was just the beginning, as he dispatches many of his resources to track down the would-be Jedi. Luke finally reaches Dagobah and meets Yoda, who goes on to train the boy.
On the other side, after navigating through dangerous terrain to escape the Empire's forces, Han Solo makes a decision to seek sanctuary with his companions in Cloud City, now run by an "old friend" of his, Lando Calrissian. However, Han is betrayed by Lando to Darth Vader when the dark lord offers to prevent the Empire from taking over the city in exchange for the Rebel group. Even as he trains to become a true Jedi, Luke senses his friends are in danger, and makes the hasty decision to goto Cloud City to rescue them despite Yoda's warnings.
As Vader prepares to turn solo over to Jabba's authorized bounty hunter, Boba Fett, he makes the decision to use the Millenium Falcon pilot as a test subject for carbonite freezing. Even as Leia proclaims her love for Han, the latter is successfully frozen and placed in suspended animation. Luke finally arrives in Cloud City, while Lando frees Leia and her friends to try and rescue Solo, who is unfortunately whisked away by Boba before they have a chance to stop him. As Skywalker searches for his friends, he walks right into Darth Vader's trap, and the two finally square off in a one-on-one lightsaber duel.
Hardly experienced and outmatched against the Sith lord, Luke loses the battle and his right hand, forced into a corner by Vader. It is at this moment where Vader offers Luke to join him at his side... and makes the startling revelation that "He Is His Father".
Shocked and in disbelief, Luke makes a desperate attempt to escape by plummeting over the central air shaft, falling into the lower most part of the hovering city. Maimed and injured, he makes a desperate call to Leia, who senses him and has the Millenium Falcon turned around to rescue him. After escaping to a Rebel ship, Luke gets a mechanical hand replacement, while Lando and Chewie board the Falcon once more to search for Han and rescue him. The film ends with Luke, Leia, and the droids watching as the ship flies off.
Totally awesome. Absolutely epic. Nostalgic all the way.
The Empire Strikes Back is what I consider to be the best film in the Star Wars saga, and I'm not alone in this line of thinking at all. It has everything a fanboy could ever want - ship battles, drama, tension, action, suspense, lightsabers, droids, blasters, and, of course, Darth Vader. The fact that Vader was revealed at the end to be Luke's father was a surprising twist nobody expected at the time. It contradicts Obi-Wan's story in the first film that Vader killed Luke's father, but it actually makes sense and adds a depth of tragedy to the story. It's a unique way of storytelling that has traces of Greek Mythology written all over it, and George Lucas was brilliant and ahead of his time in implementing stellar ideas like that into his brainchild franchise. It's a key and defining moment in the film, yes, but there are other aspects to it that make it all the more memorable, such as Luke's training with Yoda and the first appearance of Emperor Palpatine. Meeting and seeing Yoda for the first time was impressionable to me as a kid, and Frank Oz performance as the elderly Jedi Master was one of absolute perfection. Quotes like "Do. There Is No Try" echo valuable lessons that everyone learns in life, and Yoda being the teacher tries to teach an impatient and fiery Luke Skywalker important lessons that will turn him into the noble warrior he is destined to be.
On the other hand, seeing the hideous face of the emperor for the first time was a remarkably genuine moment. Here you see the guy who has power over the entire galaxy for the first time... in a large holographic projection screen. Even Vader bows down to his master in servitude, so one has to wonder how powerful this cackling maniac is (and we don't find out until the next film and, eventually, Revenge Of The Sith decades later). Other themes explored include the blooming romance of Han Solo and Princess Leia. Those two have chemistry with each other, and it's fitting that despite the danger and circumstances intent on tearing them apart, their bond becomes stronger and it finally reaches a headpoint when Han's about to be frozen in carbonite. Side characters like Chewie and the droids get more action and comedic antics to do, and we meet a new face in Lando Calrissian, who acts like a jerk at first, but proves to be noble in his own way eventually when he tries to make up and help in eventually saving Han Solo from Jabba in the next film.
Yes, there's lots to say about Empire and its contributions, but if I could sum up everything in one word, it would be "Maturation". The characters in the filmhad to grow up and learn things about themselves that were previously unknown to them, and it's a lesson that Luke learns the hardest, especially since his maturation as a Jedi came at the hands of his own father. Bottomline, for the 30 years it has continued to entertain fans and newbies alike, The Empire Strikes Back is a classic that remains one of my favorites. Thank you Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, James Earl Jones, George Lucas, and the rest of the cast for such a wonderful film.
Happy Birthday, Happy Anniversary, And May The Force Be With You, Always.
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