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| Original 1980 poster |
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| 1997 special edition poster |
Despite a stunning victory, rebelling heroes are once again on the offensive. An evil empire is pressing against their rebel enemies, especially their bravest leaders. All looks dark and grim for the heroes. But somewhere, a young man is being trained by a wise, old Jedi named Yoda. This young man will be the rebellion's only hope.
The film just described is Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (originally just The Empire Strikes Back until the 1990's). It won two Oscar Awards (Best Sound Mixing and Special Achievement Visual Effects). John Williams was nominated for Best Original Score, as well as many other nominations. The movie stars Mark Hamill as pilot/Jedi Luke Skywalker, David Prowse as Darth Vader (James Earl Jones providing the voice for the antagonist), and Harrison Ford as space pilot Han Solo.
SUMMARY
At the end of A New Hope, one would think that the rebellion has won. But the Star Wars sequel, The Empire Strikes Back, shows that to be incorrect. The film opens with Darth Vader and the Imperials searching for the rebels new hidden base. Finally, a result comes in: the ice planet Hoth. Vader confirms that this must be where they are hiding and orders the army to make way for Hoth.
On the ice planet, Luke rides a creature while patrolling the area. He is attacked by a ferocious monster (kind of like a scary yeti!) and taken back to its lair. He manages to escape but is lost in the cold. Han Solo goes searching for him, but while he is away, the rebels must shut their "gates." Luke and Han's friend, Princess Leia, is worried that they will not survive the freezing temperatures through the night.
In the morning, rebel pilots go looking for any trace of Han and Luke. They find them safe and sound...well, not quite. Luke has to heal from his wounds. Also, while lost in the snow, he was instructed by Ben Kenobi's ghost to find Jedi master Yoda and learn from him. Another mission...
The rebels find out that the Empire is on their way. Han and his companion Chewbacca had discovered a droid that was apparently of Imperial make. The rebels begin evacuating their base and preparations are made for a battle.
The rebels lose and the Imperials invade the secret base. Luke and R2-D2 head for the mysterious swamp planet Dagobah, while Han, Leia, Chewbacca, and C-3PO are chased in space by the Empire.
Eventually, the heroes meet back at Cloud City. A friend is lost to the Empire and Luke discovers a terrible truth about his family. The movie ends with the heroes planning a rescue of their friend.
CONTENT
The violence is pretty much the same as you would find in the previous Star Wars film. Laser guns are fired (humans to humans) and we see some people die, though it is without blood/gore. A character's hand is cut off, and we also see wounds on his face. The hand is later replaced with a mechanical one that looks realistic. Most children will probably be okay with the violence in the movie, but the youngest of kids will most likely be scared.
I do not recall much language in The Empire Strikes Back, but there is at least one use of h***.
There is one kissing scene between Princess Leia and Luke Skywalker, and three or four between Leia and Han. Somewhere in the last half of the film, Leia tells Han that she loves him.
Jedi master Yoda teaches Luke in the Force and gets into a lot of meditation issues and things of that same area. Parents will definitely want to be on guard against this for children who cannot discern for themselves.
The Star Wars movies are all adventurous and pretty exciting, and Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back is no exception! It is morally a decent film, but unfortunately not one that the entire family can completely watch together. Pre-teens and older will likely enjoy the movie.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Length: 129 minutes
Rating: PG
Director: Irvin Kershner
Producer: Gary Kurtz
Music: John Williams
Year of release: 1980 (original), 1997 (special edition)
Primary audience: Pre-teens, teens, adults
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