WARNING!
May the spoilers be with you!
The Death Star has been blown to smithereens. The Rebel Alliance has triumphed over the Galactic Empire. Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia Organa and Han Solo have become BFFs. C-3PO, R2-D2 and Chewbacca should be bonding over not receiving medals for their roles in rescuing Leia and blowing up the Death Star. Oh, and that pesky Darth Vader escaped in his super fashionable bent-winged Tie-Fighter.
Where does the story from a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away go from there? Darth Vader spends his free time and not-so-defeated Empire money stalking Luke Skywalker across the galaxy and killing off underlings who disappoint him. Luke takes spiritual advice from the ghost of Obi-Wan Kenobi and goes way off grid on Dagobah for some Jedi training from Yoda. Han Solo sexually harasses General Leia Organa as they take forever to evade the pursuing Empire. Eventually, Han and Leia make their way to Cloud City and meet up with Han’s best frenemy Lando Calrissian. However, it’s all a trap by Darth Vader to lure Luke to the Dark Side and give him to the Emperor. All of this culminates in Leia confessing her love for Han right before he is frozen in carbonate and shipped to Jabba the Hutt by badass bounty hunter Boba Fett, Luke losing his hand and nearly his mind when it’s revealed Darth Vader is his daddy, Leia and Luke sharing a psychic Force connection and finally, Lando and Chewbacca heading off to Luke’s home planet to save Han Solo.  |
| Confused? |
Will they save Han? Will Leia regret telling Han she loves him? Will Luke and Leia discuss the rather intense kiss they shared on the ice planet Hoth? Will C-3PO and R2-D2 accept their diminished status as supporting comic relief? Will Darth Vader expect a tie and a bottle of Old Spice cologne from his son on Father’s Day? Find out next time on As the Jedi Turns!  |
| Only Yoda knows! |
I hate to burst the sci-fi epic wet dream bubble of all the early 1980’s hetero-centric male nerds, but George Lucas conned you into watching a daytime soap opera! Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK isn’t entertaining, it’s just the space equivalent of GENERAL HOSPITAL, especially with the “Who’s your daddy?” moment between Vader and Luke! My love of sudsy dramas may explain why, for many years, I considered Episode V the best of the Original Trilogy. Now, my feelings need to be reconsidered.
I mean, I still enjoy EMPIRE, but the years, prequels and sequels may have tarnished its luster. Darth Vader rocks as he Force-strangles anyone who fails him. Yoda still manages to be more than a muppet and it’s great to watch him knock Luke’s ego down a notch or two. Lando Calrissian (a smooth Billy Dee Williams) remains a new breath of roguish charm, especially since Han Solo has misplaced his somewhere. Boba Fett continues to win the Best Badass Bounty Hunter award. Oh, and the AT-AT’s are still cool.  |
| Who’s a good AT-AT? |
For me, at least this time around, the romance irritated me. I know, I know! Call me a hypocrite since I tend to write romance into my books, and even included a version of the infamous “I love you! I know.” Leia and Han exchange in DARK EXCURSIONS. After the end of A NEW HOPE, when Luke and Han return from blowing up the Death Star, I got the impression that Luke, Leia and Han were best friends, nothing more. So, Han and Leia’s “Will they or won’t they?” routine gets really old really quick. Plus, don’t get me started on Leia’s deep, passionate kiss on Luke’s lips! I’ll save that uncomfortable conversation for Episode VI!  |
| Don’t jump, my son! The Dark Side will forgive you for frenching your sister! |
I must add that the story is by George Lucas, but the screenplay for EMPIRE is credited to Leigh Brackett and Lawrence Kasdan. Also, Lucas gave the director’s chair to Irvin Kershner. Would STAR WARS Episode V: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK be a different film if George Lucas had stayed behind the helm? After all, A NEW HOPE is the superior film, but the Prequel Trilogy is reason enough to question his creative choices. As for the acting, the cast still has some residual 1970s naturalness about them, but there is a slightly forced, pun intended, style with some of their dialogue delivery. The superb score by John Williams elevates the entire production, with a huge shout-out to The Imperial March, easily one of the most memorable pieces of film music ever!  |
| The coolest Barbershop Quartet in the galaxy! |
In conclusion… There is a lot to enjoy in Episode V of the original STAR WARS trilogy. Even the not-so “Special Edition” isn’t so bad since they got rid of Luke’s horrendously stupid electronic scream as he chooses self-destruction over joining the Dark Side with Daddy Darth, which was needlessly added for the 1997 “Special Edition” theatrical release. I’ll even confess to loving how they made Cloud City look like the tourist trap destination we always knew it was! Anyhoo, I re-watched the original 1980 theatrical version for this review. So, if you’re in the mood for some outer space soap bubble action, THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK may be the sudsy episode for you!
Freak Out,
JLH
P.S. Lando Calrissian was my favorite EMPIRE Kenner action figure growing up. Remove his cape and Lando was ready to boogie on down to Cloud City’s version of Studio 54! 🪩~~~~~~~~~~~~Visit the town of STURGEONS for a modern take on 1950s sci-fi horror, films!📗
great write - up!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
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