Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
Back again
The "middle" chapter of the Star Wars trilogy is often favored by fans as the best of the three. It's odd that this should be - it's by far the most dependent on the other two. It opens unsteadily, making viewers scrambling to adjust to its pace, and the ending is not satisfyingly conclusive. However, it has a lot of other things going for it.
Enthusiasm, for one thing. While the first film was self-conscious and unsure of itself at times, and the third was often downright smug in its assured success, Empire has a cast and crew flush with the sudden and overwhelming triumph of its predecessor. They're running hot and are anxious to score another hit.
Craft is another. Lucas was far from sure he'd have a chance for a sequel, and so loaded the first episode with as much dazzle as he could, while hampered with a less than generous budget. Here, more attention is paid to the script, and the special effects - which won a well-deserved special Oscar - are more carefully prepared (of the three, this special edition seems to have the least amount of added footage).
And a third is Irvin Kershner, a much more experienced director than Lucas. Every scene, every camera angle, is much more polished. Lucas is a gifted writer and producer, but his direction is often flawed by a poor choice of views, and his framing lacks atmosphere. Kershner knows better how to manipulate mood and build tension.
And, at least upon it's initial release, this sequel benefited from the most delicious sense of anticipation. Everyone had of course seen the first film, and we all had a million questions about the characters and their universe waiting for some answers. Empire was especially tasty treat, which satisfied millions while leaving them hungry for more. Star Wars ushered in a new era in motion pictures, and its sequel confirmed that the new era was here to stay.
Spaceships;
space aliens; robots; superheroes and villains; zap guns; p-stars Lucas,
Harrison Ford, Mark Hammil.
[It's Only A Movie!] [Movie Madness] [Psychotronic Gift Shop] [Psychotronic Schedule] [E-Mail]
The Movie Madness section and its contents are ©2007 Brian Thomas