The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
★★★★★ — The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
The first Star Wars (1977) had been a cultural earthquake, and the pressure on its sequel was immense enough that George Lucas handed the directing reins to Irvin Kershner, a journeyman filmmaker better known for modest character studies like The Return of a Man Called Horse (1976) than blockbuster spectacle. Lucas produced and co-wrote the story, with Lawrence Kasdan and Leigh Brackett sharing the screenplay credit (Brackett, a Hollywood veteran who had written The Big Sleep, died of cancer shortly after delivering her draft). Filmed largely at Elstree Studios in England, with location work on the Hardangerjøkulen glacier in Norway doubling as the ice planet Hoth, the production ran significantly over its original budget and schedule. Released in May 1980, it went on to gross over half a billion dollars worldwide, cementing the franchise as the dominant cultural force of its era.
Possibly the best sequel ever made. If A New Hope was the spark that ignited a cultural phenomenon, The Empire Strikes Back took that flame and turned it into a full-blown inferno. This is Star Wars at its darkest, most emotional, and most gripping. From the incredible Battle of Hoth to Yoda’s cryptic yet wise teachings on Dagobah, every scene feels essential. And then there’s that moment "I am your father" arguably the most shocking twist in cinematic history. It completely redefined the saga and gave it a depth no one expected. My daughter was 10 when she watched this film and even though I tried to shield her from it, even SHE had already seen the moment somewhere. Slightly below A New Hope for me personally, but still an absolute masterpiece. One of the greatest films ever made, and a sequel that didn’t just live up to its predecessor but should be the benchmark for what sequels could be.
Rating: ★★★★★ | Year: 1980 | Watched: 1999-03-03
Related on Movies With Macca
More with Mark Hamill: The Star Wars Holiday Special (1978) · Batman: The Killing Joke (2016) · Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017) · Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
More from the 1980s: Nightmare City (1980) · A Better Tomorrow (1986) · Style Wars (1983) · Garlic Is as Good as Ten Mothers (1980)
More adventure: Alice in Wonderland (1951) · The Eagle (1925) · Louisiana Story (1948) · The General (1926)
More action: A Better Tomorrow (1986) · The General (1926) · Hand of Death (1976) · Daredevil (2003)
