Thanks for checking out our Forgotten Fridays feature. This is a feature to review some older films that maybe you have forgotten about or maybe never got around to seeing that we just want to share. They may not be old, maybe not forgotten, but they are not new. Just fun to share.
Today on its 30th Anniversary, we review Empire Strikes Back
Genre: Fantasy/Sci-fi
Directed by: Irvin Kershner
Staring: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams, Anthony Daniels, David Prowse, Peter Mayhew, Kenny Baker, Frank Oz, Alec Guinness, Jeremy Bulloch
Released: May 21, 1980
THE GENERAL IDEA
The Rebellion has struck a critical blow against the Empire, but the war is not over with the destruction of the Death Star. The secret Rebel Base on Hoth is discovered and the Empire intends to squash this resistance. On the run the Rebellion tries to gather its forces while Luke Skywalker retreats to the swamp planet of Dagobah to begin his Jedi training, a group of Bounty Hunters are sent to capture Princess Leia and the crew of the Millenium Falcon.
THE GOOD
This really added the meat to the original adventure that could have just ended with a big bang in space, and a happily ever after. But it continued the story with an edge of realism. The good guys don’t always win.
The acting is solid, proving this cast to be effective. And the storyline was just as ground breaking as the first film was in its time. I remember being the ripe age of 8 when this came out and still recall the debates over whether Vader was Luke’s father. Most people at the time I think figured it was a lie perpetuated by the Dark Lord.
And just to give even more depth to the characters, we see Han’s toughguy facade breaking, Chewbacca’s loyalty and Leia really falling for Han. This is the most important chapter for the franchise. Everything that came after (even the prequels) owes this film’s depth for its existence.
THE BAD
Nothing. Shut up. I even thought the Special Editions made this even better. Take that.
OVERALL
The best film of the entire franchise that has become a part of pop culture as well as my own inspiration for fantasy, science fiction and film itself.
This IS Star Wars. Everything else is measured against it.
Since all of these Forgotten Friday reviews are going to be what I would already give a high rating to, I had a Tv, Rent or Buy scale going on, but it would seem that an overwhelming majority of my picks get a BUY rating.
So with every Forgotten Friday you see from now on, you get to rate your anticipation for yourself!
TV – If you are at least a little curious, catch it if it comes on TV.
Rent – If it is something you have heard of and forgotten, or just remember enjoying this as much as I did once upon a time, go rent it.
Buy – But if you are like me, and you agree with my review you should go buy it. If its featured here, I already have.
